Kolhapur
Kolhapur princely state was bounded on the north side by Varna River which also separated Satara state.
Kistna River marked the north-eastern border which separated the state from Sangali, Miraj and Kurandvad.
The south side of the state is adjacent to Belgaon and the west side touches Sawantwari and Ratnagiri. It was dominated by Marathas and came
under the Deccan Division of Bombay Presidency. Later, its name was changed to the Deccan States
Agency during British India. This state was entitled to 19-gun salutes. The flag of the state had a swallow-tailed
orange pennant.
The Maharajas of Kolhapur and Satara had a
common ancestry, Bhonsle. The existence of Kolhapur
and Satara states was due to the conflict over
Maratha kinship in 1707.
Shivaji II was the son of Rajaram and Tarabai. After
the death of his father, he was ascended to the
throne and his mother was made regent. His cousin,
Shahu who was released from Mughal’s clutches
challenged Tarabai to become the next Chhatrapati.
Rajasbai instigated a coup against Tarabai and placed
her own son, Sambhaji II on the throne. He signed
a treaty with Nizam to snatch the Maratha Kingdom
from his cousin, Shahu. The treaty of Warna brought
the end to internal conflicts. This treaty recognised
the boundaries of Sambhaji from Krishna River to
Tungabhadra River. He was succeeded by Shivaji III
with Jijibai as a regent. He ruled from 22nd September
1762 to 24th April 1813.
Next successors of less
importance were Sambhaji III, Shivaji IV and Shahji. Next successor was Shivaji V who ruled from 1838
to 1866 and received a salute of 19 guns. The next
Chhatrapati, Rajaram II was the first one from his
family who went abroad. He died at the age of 20 at
Florence, Italy and was cremated at the bank of Arno
River. He was succeeded by Shivaji VI. He was
honoured with the sword of Edward VII, received the
title of Knight Commander of the Order of the Star
of India (KCSI) at the age of 13 and was the youngest
honoured ever. Shahu I was born to Jaishinghrao
Ghatge and Radhabai. He was adopted by the widow
Anadibai who was wife of Shivaji VI.