| Abstract: | This study examines the significant social and historical changes that the Gujarati Koli group experienced while living under British domination. It makes the case that redefining what it meant to be “Koli” was largely influenced by British administrative procedures, particularly the census, ethnographic research, and legal labelling. Social isolation and institutionalized classification were two of the Kolis’ burdens as the social structure shifted from the pre-colonial era’s broad limits to the Raj’s strict classifications. Through the creation of caste associations, formal requests for social advancement, and “Sanskritization” initiatives to reestablish their identity as Kshatriyas or Rajputs, the community showed considerable agency in spite of these pressures. |
