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
1554–1948
Flag Coat of arms
Sawantwadi 1896
History
• Established by Mang Sawant	1554
• Joined the Indian Union	1948
Area
1931	2,396 km2 (925 sq mi)
Population
• 1931	250,589
Preceded by Succeeded by Bijapur Sultanate Bombay State
Today part of	Maharashtra, 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 official language of the inhabitants of the state was Marathi, while the local language is Malvani ^[2]

History

The coast line of Sawantwadi was strategically important especially for the Europeans. The political boundaries of Sawantwadi fluctuated between the northern latitudes of 17°N and 15 °S and 73° E and the sea-coast from Masure till the mouth of the river Kolwal. The northern boundary of Sawantwadi is formed by the river Gadnadi which rises near the Ghotge ghat and meets the sea near Sarjekot.

The Sawant's, in the early seventeenth century, were the feudal holders of the hereditary right Deshmukh under the rule of Adil Shahi. The Marathas under the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Portuguese at Goa were the other two important powers which came into contact with Sawantwadi.^[3]

Mang Sawant was founder of Sawant Bhonsle dynasty.He was followed by Khem Sawant I in 1627. He was rewarded Jagir from the Bijapur's Adilshah and later made himself independent, followed by Lakham Sawant the first. It was only during the period of Lakham Sawant I that the Sawant family, with Hodawade as the headquarters, came into political prominence.^[4]

After his demise, Khem Sawant II succeeded him.^[5]

Khem Sawant II established his capital at Sundarwadi (now Sawantwadi), a hamlet of the village Charathe which later came to be known as Sawantwadi as the rulers were known as Sawants. He helped Mughals against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and in return got more territory from them. Khem Savant was succeeded by his son Som Savant and ruled for only 18 months and later his brother, Lakham Savant succeeded him.^[6]

Lakham Sawant din't abide by the terms of the treaty (1659),betrayed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by joining Bijapur Sultanate. In 1660, Shivaji sent one of his earliest followers, Baji Phasalkar. He fought a drawn battle with Lakham's commander Kay Savant. In 1662, Shivaji Maharaj defeated Lakham.^[7] In the later history, Lakham Sawant was slain in battle with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Pancham Khemraj alias Bapusaheb Maharaj was crowned on 29 October 1924.In his small tenure from 1924 to 1937.He surrendered to the British Empire and betrayed the independence revolutionaries.

He was succeeded by his incapable son Shivramraje Bhonsale, but he being a minor at the time, Bapusaheb’s wife Parvatidevi looked after the State as a Regent. Shivramraje Bhonsale converted the 18th century royal palace of Sawantwadi Royal family, into a art boutique hotel, working as a chef and receptionist there.^[8]

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.^[9]
• 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.^[9]
• 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.^[9]
• 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.^[9]
• Phond Savant (1665 - 1675) - Lakham was succeeded by his brother Phond Savant.^[9]

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.^[9]
• 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

Map of Sawantwadi State, 1911 (in red Brish taken part blue portugal taken part)

Title Raja Bahadur

• 1763 – 6 Oct 1803 Khem Savant III (s.a.) - He received RajaBahadur Title from Delhi Badshah Shaha alam on recommendation of Jivbadada Kerkar & Mahadji Shinde.

^[9]

• 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.

Raje Sawant Family Tree

Geneology of Sawants of Wadi

See also

• Maratha
• Maratha Empire
• List of Maratha dynasties and states
• Maratha titles
• Political integration of India