kolhap4

KOLHAPUR

The Bhonsle Dynasty

GENEALOGY

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1884 - 1922 Colonel H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI (1.1.1895), GCIE (12.12.1911), GCVO (1.1.1903). b. at The Circuit House, Kolhapur, 26^th July 1874, eldest son of H.H. Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Jaisinhrao Ghatge [Abba Sahib], Sarjerao Vazarat, Ma-ab, Chief of Kagal (Senior), by his first wife, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Radhabai Raje Ghatge [Baba Sahib], only daughter of Meherban Shrimant Balwantrao Raje Ghorpade Bahadur, Chief of Mudhol, educ. Rajaram Coll., Kolhapur and Rajkumar Coll., Rajkot. Chosen by the GOI as successor to the Kolhapur gadi, 22^nd February 1884. Adopted by H.H Rani Anandbai Sahib, widow of H.H. Raja Shivaji IV Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, 17^th March 1884 and ascended the gadi on the same day as Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur. Reigned under the Regency of his natural father until 20^th March 1885, and thence under a Council of Regency until he came of age. Invested with full ruling powers, by the Governor of Bombay, Lord Harris, in person, at the New Palace, Kolhapur, 2^nd April 1894. Attended the Coronations of H.M. The King-Emperor Edward VII 1902 and H.M. The King-Emperor George V 1911. Granted the title of Maharaja as a hereditary distinction 24^th May 1900, and a personal salute of 21-guns 1^st January 1909. Hon Colonel 103^rd Mahratta Light Infantry, IA 1/1/1915. A great campaigner against religious and cultural discrimination, especially as practiced against the untouchables and outcastes of Hindu society. He established numerous schools and student hostels, and donated liberally towards the further education and benifit of the depressed classes, founded the Shahu Vedic School in 1920, and the Shivaji Memorial Institute in 1921. The legal framework within Kolhapur was transfomed and all forms of discrimination systematically removed from legislation, appointed officials from amongst the untouchables, advocatd inter-caste marriage, abolished restrictions on employment, and encouraged them to qualify in the legal profession. He also paid great attention towards the development of industry and agriculture, built the Radhanagiri dam, established the Shahu Cloth Mill and Jaisingpur trading mart. His patronag of sport included the revival of Sathmari elephant fighting, falconry, horsemanship, and wrestling. Presdt. Maratha Educational Conference at Khamgaon 1917, All-India Shri Shivaji Memorial Soc. 1918-1922, and Willingdon Coll. Soc. (Sangli) 1919-1922. Hon LL.D. (Cambridge 1903), MRAS (Lond.), etc. Rcvd: Coron. medals (1902 and 1911), and Delhi Durbar gold medals (1903 and 1911). m. at Kolhapur, 1^st April 1891, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Lakshmibai Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle (b. 1^st January 1880; d. at Kolhapur, 12^th March 1945), daughter of Meherban Shrimant Sardar Gunajirao Khanvalkar [Mama Sahib], of Baroda by his wife, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Anandibai Sahiba. He d. at the Shalini Palace, Rankala, Kolhapur, 6^th May 1922, having had issue two sons and two daughters:

1) H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur - see below.
2) Shrimant Maharajkumar Shivaji Maharaj Bhonsle. b. at the Shalini Palace, Rankala, Kolhapur, 15^th April 1899, educ. King Edward's Sch, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and Ewing Christian Coll., Allahabad. Rcvd: Delhi Durbar silver medal (1911). m. at Kolhapur, 6^th June 1917, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Indumatibai Sahib Maharaj (b. 6^th December 1906; d. 30^th November 1971), née Shrimant Jamnakhabai Jagtap, daughter of Shrimant Sardar Shankarrao Jagtap, of Saswad, Poona District. He d.s.p. from injuries received from a fall from a horse while out pigsticking, at Miraj, 12^th June 1918.
1) Shrimant Maharajkumari Radhabai Maharaj Bhonsle [Akka Sahib] [H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Radhabai Maharaj Puar, Maharani of Dewas Senior]. b. at the Shalini Palace, Rankala, Kolhapur, 10^th March 1894, educ. privately. m. at the Old Palace, Kolhapur, 21^st March 1908, as his first wife, H.H. Kshatriya Kulavatana Sena Sapta Sahasri Senapati Pratinidhi, Meherban Shrimant Maharaja Tukojirao III Krishnajirao [Bapu Sahib] Puar, Maharaja of Dewas (Senior), KCSI (b. 1^st January 1888; d. at Pondicherry 21^st December 1937), eldest son of Shrimant Sardar Anandrao [Nana Sahib] Puar Maharaje, Vishwasrao Bahadur, by his wife, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Annapurnabai Sahib Maharaje. She d. 22^nd September 1973, having had issue, an only son:
- a) H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahaji II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur - see below.
2) Shrimant Rajkumari Aubai [Akka Sahib] Maharaj Bhonsle. b. at the Shalini Palace, Rankala, Kolhapur, 23^rd May 1895, but d. young.

1922 - 1940 Brigadier H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI (1.1.1931), GCIE (3.6.1924). b. at the Shalini Palace, Rankala, Kolhapur, 31^st July 1897, elder son of Colonel H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant RajashriSir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, by his wife, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Lakshmibai Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle, educ. St Edward's Sch., Oxford, Hendon Sch., Mdsx., and Ewing Christian Coll., Allahabad. Succeeded on the death of his father, 6^th May 1922. Formally installed on the gadi, at the New Palace, Kolhapur, 31^st May 1922. Attended the Coronation of H.M. The King-Emperor George V 1911 and the Delhi Durbar 1911. Cmsnd. as Hon. Lieut-Col. 30/3/1927, prom. Hon. Brig. 1940. Hon Col. 8^th (Territorial) Btn. 5^th Mahratta Light Infantry, IA 10/12/1937. He continued the good works begun by his later father, particularly in supporting and promoting the uplift of the untouchables and depressed classes of society. He also introduced a number of reforms, including the Kolhapur Municipal authority as an elected body in 1925, followed by a state-wide Ilakha Panchayat in 1927, and then established a High Court and Court of Appeals in 1931. Modern housing schemes were developed with colonies at Lakshmipuri, Tarabai Park and Rajarampuri; the water supply system modernized; free primary education established, and promotion of female higher education. Presdt. All-India Shri Shivaji Memorial Soc. 1922-1940, Non-Brahmin Convention at Satara 1922, All-India Maratha Educational Conference 1924, All-India Non-Brahmin Conference at Amraoti 1926, and the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan 1935. Patron-in-Chief Kolhapur Sports Assoc. (KSA), Mbr. Royal Western India Sports Club (Bombay), Willingdon Sports (Bombay), etc. Rcvd: Coron. (1911), Delhi Durbar silver (1911), Silver Jubilee (1935) and Coron. (1937) medals. m. (first) at Baroda, 1^st April 1918, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Tarabai Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle (b. at Baroda, 24^th June 1904), educ. Bentley Priory Girl's Sch., Harrow, Mdsx., Regent of Kolhapur 13^th July 1942 to 31^st March 1947, rcvd: Silver Jubilee (1935) and Coron. (1937), medals, née Shrimant Yuvarajkumari Indumati Devi Gaekwad, eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Shrimant Yuvaraj Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad, Yuvaraj Sahib of Baroda, by his wife Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Yuvarani Padmavati Devi Gaekwad, daughter of Shrimant Ramchandrarao Jagdeorao Naik Nimbalkar, of Phaltan. m. (second) 1^st June 1925, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Vijayamalabai Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle (b. at Tanjore, 1916; d. at Kolhapur, 14^th July 1993), née Shrimant Rajasbai Mohite, MP (Lok Sabha) 1967-1970, daughter of Meherban Shrimant Atmaramrao Mohite, of Tanjore, by his wife Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Ladubai Ammai Raje Sahib Mohite, daughter of Meherban Shrimant Nadaraja Mahadik. He d.s.p.m. at Shivatirth Palace, Bombay, 26^th November 1940, having had issue an only daughter:

1) Shrimant Maharajkumari Padmarajebai Maharaj Bhonsle [Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Padmaraje R. Kadambande]. b. at the Shalini Palace, Rankala, Kolhapur, 5^th October 1940. m. February 1959, Meherban Shrimant Sardar Raghojirao Kadambande, of Torkhed. She d. 22^nd March 1997, having had issue, two sons:
- a) Shrimant Rajvardhan Raghojirao Kadambande [Raju Baba]. b. 1960. MLA for Dhule in the Maharashtra State Assembly since 2004. Mbr. National Congress Party, etc.
- b) Shrimant Harshvardhan Raghojirao Kadambande.

1941 - 1946 H.H. Kshatriya Kulawatasana, Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Shivaji V Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur. b. 22^nd November 1941, as Shrimant Pratapsinhrao Shankarrao Bhonsle Khanwatkar, youngest son of Meherban Shrimant Shankarrao Bhonsle Khanwatkar [Nana Sahib] - see India Pensioners (Satara). Selected by the Government of India as successor to the vacant Kolhapur gadi, 31^st December 1941. Formally adopted by H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Tarabai Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle, widow of H.H. Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, and installed on the gadi on the same day as Kshatriya Kulawatasana, Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Shivaji V Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, at the New Palace, Kolhapur, 18^th November 1942. Reigned under the Regency of his adoptive mother. He d. at the Marina Nursing Home, Bombay, 28^th September 1946.

1947 - [1983] Major-General H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahaji II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI (14.8.1947, KCSI 12.6.1941). b. at Kolhapur, 4^th April 1910, as Vikramsinhrao [Nana Sahib] Puar, eldest son of H.H. Kshatriya Kulavatana Sena Sapta Sahasri Senapati Pratinidhi, Meherban Shrimant Maharaja Tukojirao III Krishnajirao [Bapu Sahib] Puar, Maharaja of Dewas (Senior), KCSI, by his first wife, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Radhabai Maharaje Sahib Puar, eldest daughter of Colonel H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, educ. Christian Coll., Indore, Rajaram Coll., Kolhapur, Officer Cadet Sch, Indore, and at OTS, Mhow. Presdt. Dewas State Cncl. and administrator after his father flight to Pondicherry, 26^th July 1934. Presdt. Exec. Cncl. and acting C-in-C, Indore State 20/9/1942-15/5/1943. Mbr. National Defence Cncl., New Delhi 1943-1945. Cmsnd as 2^nd Lieut. 2^nd Btn. Mahratta Light Infantry, IA 4/8/1942, served in WW2 as coy. cdr. Western Desert (including the dash to the Gazala line) 1941-42 and brigade liaison officer and acting Capt. 1942, prom. Hon Capt. 11/7/1944, prom. Hon Maj. 15/8//1945, Hon ADC to The King-Emperor George VI, 25/1/1946-1950, prom. Hon. Maj-Gen. IA 26/2/1962. Abdicated the gadi of Dewas Senior in favour of his only son, 23^rd March 1947. Formally adopted by H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Tarabai Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle, widow of H.H. Maharaja Shrimant Sir Rajaram II, and ascended the the gadi on the same day as Kshatriya Kulawatasana, Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahaji II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, 31^st March 1947. Formally installed at the New Palace, Kolhapur, 1^st June 1947. He announced a wide-ranging set of reforms inroducing and elected legislature and an executive council on 24th October 1947, followed by an interim ministry composed of popular ministers on 19^th Novembr 1947. However, disturbances erupted in the state following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The Government of India intervened to force the resignation of the popular ministry and appointed an ICS Administrator on 22^nd March 1948. The state subsequently merged into the Bombay Presidency on 1^stMarch 1949. The GOI amended the Indian Constitution to remove his position as a "ruler" and his right to receive privy-purse payments, 28^th December 1971. Presdt. General Cncl. of Daly Coll., Indore 1959-1965, All-India Shri Shivaji Memorial Soc., Patron-in-Chief Kolhapur Sports Assoc. (KSA), Patron Jai Bhavan Soccer Club, Mbr. Royal Western India Sports Club (Bombay), Willingdon Sports (Bombay), etc. Rcvd: Silver Jubilee (1935), Coron. (1937 and 1953), and medals, 39-45, Africa and Italy stars, British War and India Service medals (1945), Indian Indepependence medal (1947), and the Star of the Order of Ahilya Holkar Sultanat (1943). m. at Dewas, 30^th December 1926, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Pramilabai Raje Sahib Bhonsle (b. at Jath, 4^th August 1910; d. at Kolhapur, 31^stJanuary 2008), Maharani Regent of Dewas Senior 11^th August 1941 to 15^th May 1943 and 23^rd March 1947 to 27^th June 1948, rcvd: Indian Independence medal (1947), eldest daughter of Meherban Shrimant Ramrao Amritrao Sahib Dafle, Desmukh, of Jath, by his wife, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Bhagirathibai Sahiba, daughter of Meherban Shrimant Shahajirao III [Baba Sahib] Raje Bhonsle, Raja of Akalkot. He d. 9^th May 1983 (succ. by his grandson and adopted son), having had issue one son and two daughters:

1) H.H. Kshatriya Kulavatana Sapta Sahasra Senapati Pratinidri, Meherban Shrimant Maharaja Krishnajirao III [Aba Sahib] Puar, Maharaja of Dewas (Senior) - see India (Dewas Senior).
1) Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharajkumari Shaliniraje Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle. b. 3^rd July 1929. m. at Dewas, 6^th March 1945, Shrijut Raje Rajaramsinhrao Laxmanrao Bhonsle (d. on shikar while hunting boar, 1970), second son of Shrijut Kunwar Laxmanrao Raje Bhonsle [Dada Sahib], of the Junior Palace, Mahal, Nagpur, by his wife, a relative of H.H. Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Ingl ishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCSI, GCIE. She had issue, two sons (see India Pensioners (Nagpur)), including the younger son:
- a) Shrijut Raje Dilipsinhrao Rajaramsinhrao Bhonsle, who succeeded as H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Shahu II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur - see below.
2) Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharajkumari Vijayaraje Sahib Maharaj Shitole. b. 24^th July 1937. m. 26^th November 1952, Shrimant Pratapsinh Shitole.
3) Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharajkumari Urmilaraje Sahib Maharaj Ghorpade. b. 9^th July 1943. m. Rajkumar Shrimant Vijaysinhrao Yeshwantrao Raje Sahib Ghorpade (b. 18^th October 1937), third son of Major Raja Shrimant Yeshwantrao Venkatarao Ghorpade, Hindurao, Mamlukatmadar Senapati, Raja of Sandur, by his wife, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Rani Sushiladevi Ghorpade, Prathinidhi, eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Umdat ul-Mulk, Raj Rajendra Malojirao Narsinhrao Shithole, Desmukh, Rustam Jang Bahadur, of Gwalior. She has issue - see India Non-salute (Sandur).

[1983] H.H. Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Shahu II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur. b. at the Junior Palace, Mahal, Nagpur, 7^th January 1948, as Shrijut Raje Dilipsinhrao Rajaramsinhrao Bhonsle, younger son of Shrijut Raje Rajaramsinhrao Laxmanrao Bhonsle, by his wife, Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Shalinirajebai Sahib Maharaj, eldest daughter of Major-General H.H. Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shahaji II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, educ. Bishop Cotton High Sch., Bangalore, and Christian Coll., Indore (BA 1967). Adopted by his maternal grandfather as his son and successor and invested as Heir Apparent with the title of Yuvraj Shrimant Shahu Bhonsle Chhatrapati Bahadur, at the New Palace, Kolhapur, 28^th June 1962. Succeeded as head of the Royal House of Kolhapur on the death of his adoptive father, 9^th May 1983. Chair. Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya Brd., Presdt. All-India Shri Shivaji Memorial Soc., and Pune Shaniwarwada Festival 2004, Patron-in-Chief Bhavan's Buds Play & Primary Sch., and Kolhapur Sports Assoc. (KSA), Patron Jai Bhavan Soccer Club, etc. m. 9^th March 1970, H.H. Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Yagyaseniraje Maharaj Sahib Bhonsle, daughter of Shrimant Sardar Dhairyashilrao Bhojiraj Pawar Mangsulikar, of Athni, in Belgaum district of Madhya Pradesh. He had issue, two sons:

1) Shrimant Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Bhonsle. b. 11^th February 1971, educ. Bishop Cotton High Sch., Bangalore. Vice-Presdt. All-India Shri Shivaji Memorial Soc. Management Cttee., Mbr. Shahu Vidyalaya Cttee., etc. m. Yuvrani Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Sanyuktaraje Sahib Maharaj, daughter of Dr. Amritrao Kirdatt, of Dhamtari, Chhatisgarh, in Madhya Pradesh, by his wife, Shrimant Maharajkumari Lalita Raje Sahib Gaekwad, youngest daughter of Major-General H.H. Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCIE. He has issue, one son:
- a) Shrimant Balkumar Shahajiraje Maharaj Bhonsle.
2) Shrimant Maharajkumar Malojiraje Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj Bhonsle. b. 1975, educ. Bishop Cotton High Sch., Bangalore (BA). MLA for Kolhapur City in the Maharashtra State Assembly since 2004. Vice-Presdt. Western India Football Assoc. (WIFA), Mbr. National Congress Party, Shahu Vidyalaya Cttee., All-India Shri Shivaji Memorial Soc. Governing Cncl., etc. m. at Naveen Rajwada, Kolhapur, 11^th December 1999, Shrimati Dhawalshriraje Sahib Maharaj, née Madhurima Khanvilkar, daughter of The Hon. Dr. Digvijay Khanvilkar, sometime Maharashtra State Minister of Health. He has issue, one son and one daughter:
- a) Shrimant Yashraje Malojiraje Maharaj Bhonsle. b. 2005.
- a) Shrimant Yashashwini Raje Bhonsle. b. 2001.

END.

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