Leader, courageous man and patriot
Ramoshis are a predatory tribe
that migrated from Telangana and settled down in Maharashtra during the Maratha
period. Maratha rulers utilized their services in an effective manner.
Important duties like night patrolling were entrusted to them. In the new
British Raj, they were not ready to reconcile.
Umaji Naik was their leader,
he had set up small principalities, small Vatandars. He gave harsh treatment to
British officials and to the people who were loyal to them. Bhar and Kolhapur
rulers were also supporting him. Some influential brahmins gave him necessary
guidance.
In 1828, he demanded Watan
rights from the British officials, if not, he threatened them that ‘thousand
rebellions will arise’. Special police force were raised in Ahmednagar to check
Umaji Naik. In 1829, he got 129 Bighan land and thus a trust came into force.
In 1830, there were fresh
troubles. Mackintosh led on behalf of British (10th December 1830).
Umaji naik was captured. The British took the help of his sisters who were
promised four villages, employing such treacherous means he was captured and
hanged. He gave up his life for the country.
He was not a decoit or a
plunderer. He kept Shivaji as his ideal. Bombay Gazetteer described him as
‘Second Shivaji’. He is a hero of several anecdotes in Maharashtra and is a
legendary figure. Several literary marks of films are made on his Robinhood
style of life.
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