Sawantwadi State

Savantvadi State, also spelt Sawantwadi ruled by the Sawant Bhonsale dynasty was one of the non-salute Maratha princely states during the British Raj. It was the only state belonging to the Kolaba Agency under the Bombay Presidency, which became later part of the Deccan States Agency.[1] Its capital was at Sawantwadi, in the present-day Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.

Savantvadi State
Princely State of British India
1627–1948
Flag
Coat of arms

Sawantwadi 1896
Area 
• 1931
2,396 km2 (925 sq mi)
Population 
• 1931
250,589
History 
• Established
1627
1948
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Maratha Empire
India
Today part ofMaharashtra, India
Savantvadi State in the Imperial Gazetteer of India

Sawantvadi State measured 438 square kilometers in area. According to the 1931 census, the population was 250,589. The main language of the inhabitants of the state was Marathi.[2]

History

Sawantwadi state was founded in 1627 by Khem Sawant I, later becoming a vassal state of the Sultanate of Bijapur. Khem Sawant II made Sundarwadi his capital which later got the name of Sawantwadi as the rulers were known as Sawants.

It had some fortified hills, such as Manohar and Mansantosh. On 7 April 1765 Savantvadi State became a British protectorate.

Sawantwadi acceded to the Dominion of India on 15 August 1947, becoming part of Bombay State in 1948.

Rulers
  • Mang Savant (1554) - He revolted from Bijapur, tried to establish himself as an independent chief in Hodavda village near Sawantwadi. He defeated the Bijapur troops sent against him and was independent till his death. Mang's successors again became feudatories of the Bijapur kings. [3]
  • Khem Savant I (1627 - 1640) - On the decline of Bijapur power, Phond Savant's son Khem Savant, who held part of the Vadi country in grant, jaghir, made himself independent. [3]
  • Som Savant (1640 - 1641) - Khem Savant was succeeded by his son Som Savant and ruled for only 18 months and later his brother, Lakham Savant succeeded him. [3]
  • Lakham Savant (1641 - 1665) - He, in a predatory incursion, made captive the Desai of Kudal, put him to death, and seized his lands. When Shivaji's power increased (1650), Lakham Savant offered him his allegiance. Shivaji made him Sar Desai of the whole south Konkan. He din't abide by the terms of the treaty (1659) and joined Bijapur Sultanate. In 1660, Shivaji sent one of his earliest followers, Baji Phasalkar. He fought a drawn battle with Lakham's commander Kay Savant. Both were slain in the battle. In 1662, Shivaji defeated Lakham. From political and family motives, for the Savants like himself belonged to the Bhonsla family, Shivaji reinstated Lakham. [3]
  • Phond Savant (1665 - 1675) - Lakham was succeeded by his brother Phond Savant. [3]

Title Raja Sar Desai
  • 1675 – Feb 1709 Khem Savant II Bhonsle (b. 16.. – d. 1709) - He helped Mughals against Shivaji and in return got more territory from them. [3]
  • Feb 1709 – 2 Jan 1738 Phond Savant II Bhonsle (b. 1667 – d. 1738)
  • 2 Jan 1738 – 1755 Ramachandra Savant I Bhonsle (b. 1712 – d. 1755)
  • 2 Jan 1738 – 1753 Jayram Sawant Bhonsle – Regent (d. 1753)
  • 1755 – 1763 Khem Savant III Bhonsle (b. 1749 – d. 1803)
  • 1755 – 1763 Soubhagyavati Janaki Bai Bhonsle (f) – Regent

Title Raja Bahadur
  • 1763 – 6 Oct 1803 Khem Savant III (s.a.) - In 1765, British took Redi fort and to get the fort back, he made a treaty with British, wherein he would help British in the event of a war with the Marathas. [3]
  • 6 Oct 1803 – 1805 Rani Lakshmi Bai (f) – Regent (b. 17.. – d. 1807)
  • 1805 – 1807 Ramachandra Savant II "Bhau Saheb" (b. 17.. – d. 1809)
  • 1807 – 1808 Phond Savant II (d. 1808)
  • 1808 – 3 Oct 1812 Phond Savant III (b. 17.. – d. 1812)
  • 1807 – 1808 Rani Durga Bai (f) – Regent (d. 1819) (1st time)
  • 3 Oct 1812 – 1867 Khem Savant IV "Bapu Saheb" (b. 1804 – d. 1867)
  • 3 Oct 1812 – 28 Dec 1818 Rani Durga Bai (f) – Regent (s.a.) (2nd time)
  • 28 Dec 1818 – 11 Feb 1823 Regents
    • – Rani Savitri Bai Raje (f)
    • – Rani Narmada Bai (f) (b. 1783 – d. 1849)
  • 1867 – 7 Mar 1869 Phond Savant IV "Bapu Saheb" (b. 1828 – d. 1869)
  • 7 Mar 1869 – Dec 1899 Raghunath Savant "Baba Saheb" (b. 1862 – d. 1899)
    • 7 Mar 1869 – c.1880 .... -Regent
  • Dec 1899 – 23 Apr 1913 Shriram Savant "Aba Saheb" (b. 1871 – d. 1913)
    • Dec 1899 – 17 Jun 1900 .... -Regent
  • 24 Apr 1913 – 4 Jul 1937 Khem Savant V "Bapu Saheb" (b. 1897 – d. 1937) (from 4 Jun 1934, Sir Khem Savant V)
  • (Eldest Son of Khem Savant went to England Radhakrishna Samant (Savant)) lost claim to throne
  • 24 Apr 1913 – 29 Oct 1924 Rani Gajara Bai Raje (f) – Regent (b. 1887 – d. 19..)
  • 4 Jul 1937 – 15 Aug 1947 Shivramraje Savant Bhonsle (b. 1927 – d. 1995)
  • 4 Jul 1937 – 12 May 1947 Rani Parvati Bai Raje (f) – Regent (b. 1907 – d. 1961)


The Present Head of the family is His Highness Khem Sawant VI. The erstwhile royal family is now striving hard to promote and carry forward the legacy of art of Ganjifa and Lacquer ware which was once revived by His Highness Lt. Col. Shivramraje Sawant Bhonsle and Her Highness Satvashiladevi Bhonsle in the Sawantwadi Palace. They are also coming up with a boutique hotel whose centre theme revolves around the Dashavtar Ganjifa.


See also

References
  1. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908
  2. Great Britain India Office. The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908.
  3. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ratnagiri and Savantvádi. Printed at the Government Central Press. 1880.

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