Umaji Naik Khomane

Umaji Naik was born on 7 September 1791 in the Ramoshi tribe. Umaji's brother's name was Krishnaji Naik[3]

He was a freedom fighter and revolutionary leader in Maharashtra (then Maratha Empire) and belonged to the Ramoshi community, which migrated from Telangana and settled down in Maharashtra during the Maratha period but was later branded as a tribe of thieves during the British rule.[4]

Before starting of East India company rule. Ramoshis use to work under Maratha rule.These Ramoshis use to work for surveillance of Maratha region and for security of Maratha forts.in Maharashtra during the Maratha period, Ramoshi(s) entrusted with night patrolling and policing by the Marathas.[5]

Because of this work they have the right to take taxes from few specific villages.But after capture of Maratha kingdom by British.Their this right is got violet because of that Ramoshis started struggle with the Britishers.

Soon after fall of Maratha empire,Umaji Naik raised a tiny army against Britishers. On 1826 Umaji Naik declared himself a king.on 1831 he spread command,proclamation to kill infantry, cavalry Britisher and to loot their property. Umaji lived in mountains of Satara,Kurud,Mand devi Kalbai's mountain,Khopoli Khandala and Borghat amid his struggle against British Raj.He issued his stamp in that he wrote ' Umajiraje Naik,Mukkam Dongar' (Eng : King Umaji, lives in Mountains).

Umaji attacked Jejuri's police station/headquarter and killed policemans there.Ramoshi people use to punish who those are loyal to Britishers and British Raj.Umaji use to loot money of British government and Savkars (exploiters of poor farmers) and give it to poor peoples.because of his this good work Umaji was loved by poors.due this British government not able to capture him initially.Umaji extracted huge amount sums from Britishers and British loyals in the region of Pune,Satara district.

In 1828 Britishers not able to control him and they did a pact with him.according to it Britishers gave him 120 bigha land and promised to give government jobs to Ramoshi peoples.due to this pact Umaji stopped war against British for some time.but this peace not long last and Umaji again started rise.[6]

To capture Umaji Naik Ramoshi ; British East India company appointed Officer Makcintosh.[7] Under command of Makcintosh big British police officers like captain Wide, Livingston, Lukan planned and launched operation to arrest Umaji. In spite of that he did not get captured "Makcintosh bribed Umaji's sister Jijai by giving her ownership of four villages and arrested Umaji Naik". According to Gazetteer of Bombay presidency : Satara ' a Ramoshi name Nana Raghu Chavan who about 1831 received £1000 ( India rupee 10,000) from government for arrest of great Ramoshi bandit Umaji Naik' this is told by a dismissed agent of pant sachiv to district magistrate Mr.Rose on 10 June 1857. It shows that a Ramoshi betrayed with Umaji Naik.[8] Nana Raghu Chavan got this money from Britishers because they (Britishers) kept £1000 (Indian rupee 10,000) bounty on Umaji. He was arrested and kept in prison in Pune, after which on 3 February 1832 the East India company gave him the death penalty in Pune.

In Pune Umaji Naik was hanged in this Tehsil office on February 3, 1832, by the British Government. His dead body was hung from a peepal tree for three days to strike terror into the hearts of the public.

The Haveli Tehsil office, located in the old part of the city.[9]

• in MarathiUmaji Naik.
• Brief biography in Marathi and photo of Umaji Naik's statue.
• A book on Umaji Naik in Marathi
• Mural at Purandar Fort
• Marathi Movie on Umaji Naik
• Maharashtra to erect memorial for Umaji Naik, Indian Express, June 7, 1997, retrieved January 5, 2011.