Kolhapur History
Kolhapur is one of the oldest civilizations of the country.
Kolhapur's cultural history is dated back to 17th Century.
Situated at the banks of River Panchganga, Kolhapur is called
as DAKSHIN KASHI (Kashi is a holy city in Northen India and
Dakhin means South) for its spiritual history.
 India’s pre independence history is in fact, history
of kings and their kingdoms. Kolhapur is not different from
the others, it has also seen and gone under the various
regimes and since the emergence of the Marathas, the place was
being ruled by the Bhonsle dynasty. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj
was not among the male ancestor of this dynasty as he was born
as the eldest son of Appasahed Ghatge [Chief of Kagal(Senior)]
on 26th June 1874 and was named as
Yashwatrao Ghatge. Those were the days around the Holi [an
Indian Festival related with colour and usually celebrated in
the months of March – April] in the year 1884, when Rani
Shrimant Anandibai Raje Saheb decided to adopt him and made
him Chhatrapati of the princely state of Kolhapur.
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj ascended the throne of Kolhapur in
1894, bringing an end to the 50 year old regency
administration. His reign of 28 years from 1894 to 1922
ushered A new era of social, cultural and economic reforms for
which he is remembered as one of the greatest rulers in
Maharashtra.
The most benevolent and
progressive rule of only 28 years from 1894 to 1922 of
Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur was a distinct
epoch and an important landmark in the history of modern
Maharashtra as it engendered a number of socio-religious
movements of a revolutionary nature like the Vedokta Movement,
the Satya Shodhak Movement. These movements were mainly
responsible for effecting social change on a large scale and
for helping the rise of new social leadership in Maharashtra.
It is pertinent to note that as Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was
the prominent central figure and the powerful moving force of
these movements, he exerted tremendous influence on planning a
social revival and on changing the course of social history in
Maharashtra.
For more
elaborate Sketch of Shahu Maharaj's Life Read -
CHHATRAPATI SHAHU : AN ENLIGHTENED
MONARCH - by Shri.Bal Patil
published in Chhatrapati Shahu The Pillar of Social
Democracy (1994).
Note: This article is provided by the author who is Secretary
General, All India Jain Minority Forum, New Delhi. More about
the author at the end of the Article.
After
the Regin of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the Bhosale Dynasty
has continued on the Throne of Kolhapur. Post Independence
Princely State of Kolhapur became an integral part of Union of
INDIA. However the royal family is still held with High
Respect amongst the people of Kolhapur.
Shrimant Maharaja Shahu II Chhatrapati Maharaj ascended the
royal throne on 9th May 1983 and is the current Head of Royal
House. CLICK HERE to know more.
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