Mavala (plural mavale in Marathi) was a name used for people of the hilly Maval region[1] west of the present day Indian city of Pune.
The inhabitants of this hilly region who were heavily enlisted in his guerrilla forces and raiding bands were known as Mavale, composed of the Kunbi castes.
[2][3] The Mavala soldiers were expert footmen and excelled in mountain warfare.
Some of the Deshmukhis were as follows - Each Maval lord commanded armed forces enlisted majorly from among his own tenants for the purpose of territorial defense and law enforcement.
Additionally, they were appealed by their suzerain to raise troops for royal service in times of need, and would duly receive additional bounties and grants of new territories in reward.