KOLHAPUR, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum

‘Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum’, named after Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj of Kolhapur is the most prominent destinations of the city. Established in the year 1881, this museum is housed on the ground floor of the ‘New Palace Building’ of the Maharaja Palace. Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum is especially exalted for its wide collection of antique articles that earlier belonged to the royalty of Kolhapur.

The museum houses numerous possessions of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj including costumes, jewellery, embroidery, weapons, games, silver elephant saddles, guns, trophies, artifacts, paintings, sculptures and other still art materials that represent the court life, and so on. The exteriors of the museum are surrounded by stunning gardens, a marvelous lake and a zoo that further add to the charisma of the place

Brief History

Kolhapur is one of the oldest cities in the country. It derives it importance from its past political association and its position as a great commercial historical religious and education centre. As a religious centre Kolhapur derives its appellation of Kashi of the south from the imposing ancient temple of Mahalakshmi also known as Ambabai. It is said to have been built by King Karnadeva of Chalukya Kingdom around 550 AD to 660 AD and embellished by the Silahara rulers of Kolhapur in the 9th century which represents the best Hindu architectural model of its kind.

According to ‘Puranas’ this tract of the country was originally called ‘Kurvir’ from the godessMahalakshmi wring her mace (Kur) in lifting her favoured retreat from the waters of the great deluge. According to another legend the name ‘Kolhapur’ is derived from the story that a demon ‘Kole’ (Kolhapur) was defeated and killed on a hill in the vicinity of Kolhapur. Fresh light has been thrown by the recent theory put forward by Prof.G.H. Khare. According to him the name might have been evolved by its geography. The original Kannada word ‘Kolla’ or ‘Golla’ (river bed) must be the source as the Kolhapur is situated on the bank of river Panchganga. Before the temple of Mahalakshmi was built, there appears to have been six centres of habitation or hamlets. 

The separate existence of these six centres vanished after building of Mahalakshmi temple, which became the centre of Kolhapur city. The history of Kolhapur can be broadly divided into three periods —early Hindu period reaching about A.D. 1347.— Muslim period lasting from A.D. 1347 to about A.D. 1700 and Maratha period since 1700. Around A.D. 500 Kadambas must have been succeeded the Andhrabhrtyas whose capital was at Palasika about 150 Kms south-east of Kolhapur. After the Kadambas the Kingdom was passed to the Chalukyas, Rastrakutas, Western Chalukyas, Kolhapur Silaharas and finally to the Yadavas of Devagiri.

Soon after the overthrow of the Yadavas by the Delhi Sultan in A.D. 1347 this area came under the Bahamani King of the Deccan and after the the Kings of Bijapur. The heroic conquests by the Shivaji of various forts held by Adilshah of Bijapur in the neighbourhood of Kolhapur like Panhala and Vishalgad in 1659, increased the commercial and also political importance of Kolhapur. Many wars have been fought at Vishalgad and Panhala by Shivaji and Adilshah of Bijapur. After the death of Shivaji Aurangzeb captured Panhala and Vishalgad at the beginning of 18th century but he could not hold them for a long time because the second son of Shivaji, Rajaram who had succeeded his father after the death of his elder brother Sammbhaji took up Panhala fort which was for many years the virtual capital of Kolhapur State. 

In 1782 the seat of Government was moved from Panhala to Kolhapur. The accession of RajarshiShahuChhatrapati to the throne when he was only ten years old.laid the foundation of a new modern era. His rule lasted 38 years from 1884 to 1922 and his authority extended to higher levels of socio-economic activities. During his rule he touched every aspect of social and economic life of his subjects.

In 1884 Kolhapur as a state had the following six subdivisions viz., Karvir, Panhala, Shirol, Ajra, Gadhinglaj and Bhudargad. In addition it had two petasRaybad under Shirol and Katkol under Gadhinglaj. In the year 1948, the Kolhapur state was merged with the Indian Nation. With the reorganization of states, the district was included in Bombay state in 1956. It forms a part of Maharashtra since 1960.