Mawalas
Inhabitants of the Maval region along the eastern side of the Sahyadri range of the Western ghats of present-day Pune district in India have historically been called the Mawalas or Mavale. During Shivaji's time, the term was exclusively used for people belonging to the Kunbi community of the region. They were expert footmen and excelled in mountain warfare. They came to prominence under 17th century founder of Maratha Empire, Shivaji who raised an infantry of Mavale. The infantry was considered the backbone of his power, and according to Sabhasad Bakhar, which chronicled Shivaji's life, the Mavale and Hasham infantry of Shivaji had 100.000 men.
