Historically, the Baria Kolis were well knownpirates of Gujarat and thePiramisland of Gujarat was stronghold of Baria Koli pirates but later they were defeated by Mokhadaji Gohil in 1325.[11]
RawalBhavsinhji ofBhavnagar died in 1764, leaving behind him five sons, and the eldest of and these, Akherajji I, succeeded as Ruler of the State. At this juncture the fort ofTalaja was in the hands of Baria Koli pirates, a ment lawless band of pirates who infested the western littoral fromCambay to theIndus. Their unjust exactions pressed so heavily upon merchants in that locality that the large trade previously carried on was almost entirely ruined, even British ships falling ment then senttroops, which were assisted by Rawal Akherajji and his army, and it was their combined forces which captured the stronghold of Talaja and defeated the Baria clan of Koli pirates.[12]
During theBritish Raj in Gujarat, The Baria Kolis were holders of Vanta lands (private estates).[13] the Bariya Kolis were formerly known as Bandits because of their anti-social activities but later settled as agriculturist in villages.[4]
Around 1950, Kolis of Baria clan joined theGujarat Kshatriya Sabha which was started by Koli eliteNatwarsinh Solanki for upliftment of Koli society.[14] after joining the Sabha, Baria Kolis were not in conflicts againstRajputs but Kolis ofSaurashtra didn't join the Sabha because they thought that 'Patidar wasn't their enemy and they didn't need to be Rajputs to be called asKshatriya'.[3]
^Nath, Y. V. S. (1960).Bhils of Ratanmal: An Analysis of the Social Structure of a Western Indian Community. New Delhi, India:Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. pp. 65: presence in these regions, by explaining that they came in the wake of the founders of the present ruling houses of Bariya State and other estates in the area. The latter however claim to be Rajputs today, though the local traditions give them a Koli extraction." Till recently, most of the thakurdari and ankadi rights in these States were held by Bariya Kolis. Some of them even claim kinship with the Rulers of Baria and the Thakurs of Ratanmal.
