Kolhapur State or Kolhapur Kingdom (1710–1949) was a

Maratha The Marathi people ( Marathi: मराठी लोक) or Marathis are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are indigenous to Maharashtra in western India. They natively speak Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language. Maharashtra was formed a ...

princely State A princely state (also called native state or Indian state) was a nominally sovereign entity of the British Indian Empire that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule, subject to ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

, under the Deccan Division of the

Bombay Presidency The Bombay Presidency or Bombay Province, also called Bombay and Sind (1843–1936), was an administrative subdivision (province) of British India, with its capital in the city that came up over the seven islands of Bombay. The first mainl ...

, and later the Deccan States Agency. It was considered the most important of the Maratha principalities with the others being

Baroda State Baroda State was a state in present-day Gujarat, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty of the Maratha Confederacy from its formation in 1721 until its accession to the newly formed Dominion of India in 1949. With the city of Baroda (Vadodara) as its ...

, Gwalior State and

Indore State Indore State, also known as Holkar State, was a kingdom in India. Its rulers belonged to the Holkar dynasty. After 1857, Indore became a 19- gun salute Maratha princely state (a rare high rank) under the British Raj. Indore stat ...

. Its rulers, of the

Bhonsle The Bhonsle (or Bhonsale, Bhosale, Bhosle) are a prominent group within the Maratha clan system of kunbi origin. They claimed descent from the Sisodia Rajputs but were likely Kunbi tiller-plainsmen. History Earliest members The earliest ...

dynasty, were entitled to a 19-gun salute – thus

Kolhapur Kolhapur () is a city on the banks of the Panchganga River in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarter of the Kolhapur district. In, around 2 C.E. Kolapur's name was 'Kuntal'. Kolhapur is ...

was also known as a 19-gun state. The state flag was a swallow-tailed saffron pennant. Kolhapur New Palace

Kolhapur State, together with its '' jagirs'' or feudatory vassal estates (including Ichalkaranji), covered an area of 3,165 square miles (8,200 km²). According to the 1901 census, the state population was 910,011, of which 54,373 resided in Kolhapur Town. In 1901, the state enjoyed an estimated revenue of £300,000.

History

The

Maharaja Mahārāja (; also spelled Maharajah, Maharaj) is a Sanskrit title for a "great ruler", "great king" or " high king". A few ruled states informally called empires, including ruler raja Sri Gupta, founder of the ancient Indian Gupta Empire, a ...

s of Kolhapur have a common ancestry with the Bhonsle dynasty of Satara, being direct descendants of the

King

Shivaji Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adil ...

. The states of Satara and Kolhapur came into being in 1707, because of the succession dispute over the Maratha throne. Shahuji, the heir apparent to the Maratha kingdom, captured by the Mughals at the age of nine, remained their prisoner at the death of his father

Sambhaji Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing ...

, the elder son of Shivaji the founder of the

Maratha Empire The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern Indian confederation that came to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. Maratha rule formally began in 1674 with the coronation of Sh ...

, in 1689. The Dowager Maharani Tarabai (widow of

Rajaram I Rajaram Bhosle I (Pronunciation: �aːd͡ʒaɾaːm – 3 March 1700) was the third ''Chhatrapati'' of Maratha Empire, who ruled from 1689 to his death in 1700. He was the second son of the Shivaji, the founder of the empire and younger hal ...

) proclaimed her son Shivaji II, as Chhatrapati under her regency. The Mughals released Shahu under certain conditions in 1707, and he returned to claim his inheritance. He defeated the regent at the Battle of Khed and established himself at Satara, forcing her to retire with her son to Kolhapur. By 1710 two separate principalities had become an established fact. Shivaji II and Tarabai were soon deposed by Rajasbai, the other widow of Rajaram. She installed her own son,

Sambhaji II Sambhaji II or Sambhaji I of Kolhapur (1698 - 18 December 1760) was a Raja of Kolhapur from Bhonsle dynasty. He was a grandson of Shivaji and the second son of Chhatrapati Rajaram with his second wife, Rajasbai. After defeat by Shahu, Sambha ...

as the new ruler of Kolhapur.In early years of his rule, Sambhaji made alliance with the Nizam to wrest the Maratha kingdom from his cousin, Shahuji. The defeat of the Nizam by Bajirao I in the Battle of Palkhed in 1728 led to the former ending his support for Sambhaji. Sambhaji II signed the Treaty of Warna in 1731 with his cousin Shahuji to formalize the two separate seats of Bhonsle family. The British sent expeditions against Kolhapur in 1765 and 1792; Kolhapur entered into treaty relations with the British, after the collapse of the Maratha confederacy in 1812. In the early years of the 19th century the British invaded again, and appointed a political officer to temporarily manage the state. A

regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...

called Daji Krishna Pandit was installed by the British to govern the state in 1843 at a time when the natural heir to the throne was underage. He took direction from a political agent of the

East India Company The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and Sou ...

and among their actions were reforms to the tax of land. These reforms caused much resentment and, despite Kolhapur having refrained from involvement in the previous Anglo-Maratha Wars, a revolt against the British began in 1844. The rebellion began with soldiers locking themselves into hill-forts such as those as Panhala and

Vishalgad Vishalgad (also called Vishalgarh, Khelna or Khilna) was a jagir during the Maratha Empire and then later part of the Deccan States Agency of the British Raj. It was governed by Deshastha Brahmins, who were feudatories of Kolhapur State. Fort A ...

, and then spread to Kolhapur itself. Both the regent and the political agent were captured by the militia forces led by Babaji Ahirekar. The last ruler of Kolhapur was Maharaja Shahaji II. After Indian

independence Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the stat ...

in 1947, Kolhapur acceded to the

Dominion of India The Dominion of India, officially the Union of India,* Quote: “The first collective use (of the word "dominion") occurred at the Colonial Conference (April to May 1907) when the title was conferred upon Canada and Australia. New Zealand and N ...

on 14 August 1947 and merged into

Bombay State Bombay State was a large Indian state created at the time of India's Independence, with other regions being added to it in the succeeding years. Bombay Presidency (roughly equating to the present-day Indian state of Maharashtra, excluding So ...

on 1 March 1949. In 1960 Bombay state was divided by languages into the states of

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the second-most populous state in India and the second-most populous country subdi ...

and

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

. The boundaries of former Kolhapur state correspond very closely with those of modern-day Kolhapur district in

state.

Rulers of Kolhapur

Rajas

*1710 – 2 Aug 1714 Shivaji II (b. 1696 – d. 1726) *2 Aug 1714 – 18 Dec 1760

(b. 1698 – d. 1760) *20 Dec 1760 – 17 Feb 1773 '' Rani Jiji Bai (f) – Regent(b. 1716 – d. 1773)'' *22 Sep 1762 – 24 Apr 1813 Shivaji III(b. 1756 – d. 1813) *24 Apr 1813 – 2 Jul 1821 Sambhaji III (b. 1801 – d. 1821) *2 Jul 1821 – 3 Jan 1822 Shivaji IV (b. 1816 – d. 1822) *2 Jul 1821 – 3 Jan 1822 '' Shahaji -Regent (b. 1802 – d. 1838)'' *3 Jan 1822 – 29 Nov 1838

Shahaji Shahaji Bhonsale (Pronunciation: �əɦad͡ʒiː c. 1594 – 1664) was a military leader of India in the 17th century, who served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire at various points in his career. As a membe ...

*29 Nov 1838 – 4 Aug 1866

Shivaji V Shivaji V (26 December 1830 – 4 August 1866) was Raja of Kolhapur of the Bhonsle dynasty. He ruled from 1838 to 1866. During his reign, he was granted a personal salute of 19 guns with a hereditary salute of 17 guns. He was succeeded by Raj ...

(b. 1830 – d. 1866) *29 Nov 1838 – 1845 Rani '' Sai Bai (f) -Regent (d. 1861)'' *4 Aug 1866 – 30 Nov 1870

Rajaram II Rajaram II (April 13, 1850 – November 30, 1870), of the Bhonsle dynasty, was a Raja of Kolhapur from August 18, 1866 to November 30, 1870. During his reign, the gun salute of the state was increased from 17 to 19 guns. The first of his line t ...

Nagaji Rao (b. 1850 – d. 1870) *30 Nov 1870 – 12 Oct 1871 '' Rani Tara Bai (f) – Regent (b. 1855 – d. 1874)'' *12 Oct 1871 – 25 Dec 1883

Shivaji VI Shivaji VI(April 05, 1863 – December 25, 1883) of the Bhonsle dynasty, was Raja of Kolhapur from 1871 to 1883. A distant relation of the main family line, he was born as Shrimant Narayanrao Dinkarrao Bhonsle and was adopted at the age of eigh ...

Chhatrapati Narayana Rao (b. 1863 – d. 1883) *25 Dec 1883 – 17 Mar 1884 '' Rani Anand Bai (f) – Regent'' *17 Mar 1884 – 1900 Shahu Chhatrapati Jashwant (b. 1874 – ''see below'')

Maharajas

*17 Mar 1884 – 20 Mar 1885 '' Jaisinhrao Ghatge - Regent'' *1900 – 6 May 1922 Shahu Chhatrapati (''see above''; d. 1922) *6 May 1922 – 26 Nov 1940

Rajaram III Rajaram III (31 July 1897 – 26 November 1940) of the Bhonsle dynasty, was Maharaja of Kolhapur from 1922–1940, succeeding his father Maharaja Shahu. A benevolent ruler, he was instrumental in the uplifting of the dalits and depressed caste ...

Chhatrapati (b. 1897 – d. 1940) *26 Nov 1940 – 18 Nov 1942 '' Tara Bai (f) -Regent (1st time) (b. 1904 – d. ....)'' *18 Nov 1942 – 28 Sep 1946

Shivaji VII Shivaji VII (22 November 1941 – 28 September 1946) was a Maharaja of Kolhapur from the Bhonsle dynasty, reigning from 1941 to 1946. He was from the Satara branch of the Bhonsle dynasty, and had been appointed to the vacant Kolhapur throne f ...

Chhatrapati (b. 1941 – d. 1946) *22 Nov 1942 – 31 Mar 1947 '' Tara Bai (f) -Regent (2nd time) (s.a.)'' *31 Mar 1947 – 14 Aug 1947

Shahaji II Shahaji II (formerly ''Vikramsinhrao (Nana Sahib) Puar'') (4 April 1910 – 9 May 1983) of the Bhonsle dynasty of the Marathas, was the Maharaja of Kolhapur between 1947 and 1949. He was the grandson of Shahu of Kolhapur through his daughte ...

Chhatrapati (b. 1910 – d. 1983)

Titular Maharajas

*15 Aug 1947 – 9 May 1983

*1983 – present Shahu II

Family tree

*Babaaji Bhonsle ** Maloji Bhosale (1552–1606/20/22) ***

Shahaji Bhonsle Shahaji Bhonsale (Pronunciation: �əɦad͡ʒiː c. 1594 – 1664) was a military leader of India in the 17th century, who served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire at various points in his career. As a membe ...

(c.1594–1664) **** Simple gold crown

SHIVAJI Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adil ...

The king of the Maratha Kingdom (c.1630–1680; Emperor: 1674–1680) ***** Simple gold crown

, King of the Maratha kingdom (1657–1689; r. 1680–1689) ***** Simple gold crown

Rajaram, King of the Maratha Kingdom (1670–1700; r. 1689–1700) ****** Simple silver crown

I. Shivaji II, Raja of Kolhapur (1696–1726; Raja of Kolhapur: 1710–1714) ****** Simple silver crown

II.

, Raja of Kolhapur (1698–1760; r. 1714–1760) *** Sharifjirao **** Trimbukjirao ***** Venkatjirao ****** Mankojirao ******* Shahajirao ******** Simple silver crown

III. Shivaji III, Raja of Kolhapur (1756–1813; r. 1762–1813) ********* Simple silver crown

IV. Sambhaji III, Raja of Kolhapur (1801–1821; r. 1813–1821) ********** Simple silver crown

V. Shivaji IV, Raja of Kolhapur (1816–1822; r. 1821–1822) ********* Simple silver crown

VI. Shahaji I, Raja of Kolhapur (1802–1838; r. 1822–1838) ********** Simple silver crown

VII.

, Raja of Kolhapur KCSI (1830–1866; r. 1838–1866) **********Shrimati Akhand Soubhagyavati Aubai Patankar m. (1845) Shrimant Sardar Ramchandrarao Patankar, Patil of Patan *********** Simple silver crown

VIII.

, Raja of Kolhapur (1850–1870; r. 1866–1870) ********** Shrimati Akhand Soubhagyavati Balabai Maharaj Ghatge (d. 1867), m. (1848) Meherban Shrimant Chiranjiva Rajashri Narayanrao Ghatge, Sarjerao, Chief of Kagal Junior (c. 1833–1881) *********** HH Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Jaisinhrao Ghatge, Sarjerao, Vazarat, Ma-ab, Chief of Kagal Senior (1857–1885) m. (2nd; 1878) Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Radhabai Sahib Ghatge ************ Simple silver crown

X. Shahu I, Maharaja of Kolhapur GCSI,

GCIE The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes: #Knight Grand Commander ( GCIE) #Knight Commander ( KCIE) #Companion ( CIE) No ap ...

, GCVO (1874–1922; r. 1884–1922; Raja of Kolhapur: 1884; Maharaja of Kolhapur: 1900) *************HH Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Radhabai Maharaj Puar, Maharani of Dewas Senior (1894–1973) m. (1908) HH Tukojirao III, Maharaja of Dewas Senior KCSI (1888–1937) ************** Simple silver crown

XIII.

, Maharaja of Dewas Senior, Maharaja of Kolhapur GCSI (1910–1983; Maharaja of Dewas Senior: 1937–1947; Maharaja of Kolhapur: 1947–1949; titular ruler: 1949–1971; family head: 1971–1983) *************** Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharajkumari Shaliniraje Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle (b. 1929) m. (1945) Shrijut Raje Rajaramsinhrao Laxmanrao Bhonsle (d. 1970) **************** XIV. Shahu II, Maharaja of Kolhapur (b. 1948; family head: 1983–present) ************* Simple silver crown

XI.

, Maharaja of Kolhapur GCSI,

(1897–1940; r. 1922–1940) ********Sambhajirao ********* Ramchandrarao ********** Narayanjirao *********** Dinkarrao (b. 1832) ************ Simple silver crown

IX.

, Raja of Kolhapur KCSI (1863-1883; r. 1871-1883) ******** Swarupjirao ********* Mankojirao ********** Yashwantrao (1832–1884) *********** Appa Sahib ************ Shivajirao ************* Shankarrao (b. 1922) ************** Simple silver crown

XII.

, Maharaja of Kolhapur (1941–1946; r. 1941–1946)

Feudatory Jagirs

There were Eleven Feudatory Jagirdars of Kolhapur. They all paid Nazar on succession equal to a year's net income of their Jagirs and also an annual contribution towards the maintenance of military force. They are: * Vishalgad * Bavda * Kagal (Senior) * Kagal (Junior) * Kapshi * Torgal * Ichalkaranji * Himmat Bahadur * SarLashkar Bahadur * Shahi Sarnobat * Raovishvasrao

References

External links

*
Mumbai and Princely States Heraldry
{{Coord, 16, 41, N, 74, 14, E, region:IN-KN_type:city_source:kolossus-cawiki, display=title Princely states of Maharashtra Kolhapur History of Maharashtra States and territories established in 1710 States and territories disestablished in 1949 Maratha Empire 1710 establishments in India 1949 disestablishments in India