Morè (clan)

The Morey / More (Marathi: मोरे) is a Maratha clan found largely in the Indian state of Maharashtra that claims to have descended from the Somavanshi kings, the Morès of the Kashmir Region. Some from the Morey clan claim descent from the Mauryan Dynasty of Patna (Bihar), which ruled over the Maurya Empire, located in present-day India. The Maurya Empire and many Morè, claim rulers such as Chandragupt Maurya and Ashoka.^[1]

it is to be said that King Bindusar ( Bimbisar) came to Sravan belgola ( Near current Bangaluru) and died there. The royal clan members instead of going back chose to remain in the deccan platue and won the Jawali area of Shirke and Surve families. One branch of Mourya family was ruling Western Part of India from Elephanta caves ( Gharapuri Caves), but after the fall of Central Mauryan power lost the area to the new dynasties due to no military support from Main branch. The More kings were powerful and due to the thick jungles of Jawali area they ruled the area for many years. Shankar Deo More was one of the prominent king who built the temple of Mahabaleshwar.

In Pre-Shivaji India, Morès were feudatories of the Vijaynagar empire along with other Maratha clans such as Bhoite, Kadam, Bembre, Salunkhe(Solanki) and Shinde,^[2] Maratha Sardars under Sultanates of Deccan.

Mores' were an ancient Maratha clan and first acceptable evidence show them as feudatory of the Vijayanagar empire. After the fall of the Vijayanagar and formation of Islamic sultanates in the Deccan, the More held their own in the Satara region & adjoining Konkan areas and exerted powerful influence on the whole of the western ghat heights(ghat matha). Moreys ruled their territory as kings and continued as just and honourable kings for generations.

The area of then Javali Jagir stretched from Rairi Raigad Fort to Fort Khelana (Vishalgad) and Koyana Valley to the current Mumbai-Goa highway. In these areas, More clansman ruled their Jagirs viz.:

• Yashwantrao More family at shivtar ,
• Hanmantrao More family at Jor,
• Govindrao More family at Jambhali,
• Dauloatrao More family at Mahipatgad,
• Bagrao More family at Kevanale and Vakan,
• Suryarao More family at Devali Tarf Ategaon,
• Bhikajirao More family at Devali,?
• Gopal More (Khochare) family at Targaon (Satara)

They were honoured as Kings. The Morey families' jurisdiction extended over the region of Savitri Rivers to Mahabaleshwar, Parvat, Chakdev, Ghonaspur,Taldev, Gardev, Dhardev, Moleshwar, Bankot etc.

Shivpuris (Temples of Lord Shiva) and Javli Prant included Jambhul Khore, Jor Khore, Shivthar Khore,Kandat Khore, Tajmahal, Bamnoli, Chaturbet, Solas Khore, etc. 18 Mahals (subdivisions).

The Javali Prant comprised 60–62 Ghats such as Parghat, Kondenali Ghat, Radtondi Ghat, Dhawala Ghat, Hatlotacha Ghat, Sapal Khind, Kavala- Bavala ghat, Varandha Ghat, Annachhatrachi Nal, Boratyachi Nal, Ambenali Ghat, Ambavla Ghat, Tiracha Ghat, and Forts like Rairi alias Raigad, Lingana, Chandragad, Khelana, Kangori, Kavalya, Makarandgad, Songad, Chambhargad, Mahipatgad, Bhorapya, Rasalgad, Sumargad, Janani Durg, Vasota, etc.

After the fall of More clan, many More families shifted to various areas like Mudhol, Satara, Karad, karwar, Solapur, Nanded, Pune etc area. In the time of Shahu Maharaj More clan spread all over Maharashtra. The fort on the boundary of Maharashtra -Gujarat was having More as a chief of the fort. Nashik is also having many More families.

Many More families chose to take new surnames like Madhure, Devkate, Harfale, Dhaybar, Darbare, Dhulap, Nimse, Songire, Devkar, Darekar , Duduskar, Dhekle, etc.

Daulatrao More branch headquarters were at Kandat Khore, where they found Swayambhu Niripji Devi. The Daulatrao More from Mahipatgad was successor of title ChandraRa88o.

Notable

• Shrimant Yashwantrao More was ruler of Jawali Kingdom under Sultanets of Deccan, Dist-Satara, Maharashtra.
• King Shrimant Chandrarao More, was a prominent King of Deccan who constructed strongest of forts like Raigad in 1030 and Mangalgad.
• Sarkhel Shrimant Anandrao Rudrajirao Dhulap-More of Vijaydurg was an Admiral of Maratha Navy in 18th century.

See also

• Maratha
• Maratha Empire
• Maurya

References