Jawhar
Encyclopedia
Jawhar is a city and a municipal council
in Thane district
in the India
n state
of Maharashtra
. It is about 166 km from Mumbai
and 80 km from the city of Nasik.
of Jawhar was originally founded in 1343 AD. As a princely state, it became a part of Bombay Presidency
during the British Raj
. The last Princely Ruler of Jawhar at Indian independence was HH Shrimant Raja Patang Shah V (Yeswant Rao) Mukne.
JAWHAR
BRIEF HISTORY
The small tribal state of Jawhar, in the Konkan, dates its foundation to 1306, making it one of the oldest princely states in the old Bombay Presidency. In that year, a certain Jayabha Mukne, a Poligar, took possession of the fort at Jawhar. His elder son, Dulbarrao, expanded his patrimony and conquered a large territory, controlling 22 forts, comprising most of the Nasik and Thana districts, and yielding annual revenues valued at £90,000. He received recognition as ruler by Sultan Muhammad Shah II Tughlaq, receiving the new name of Nimshah and the hereditary title of Raja on 5th June 1343. This event was marked by the creation of a new calendar era used within the state for over six hundred years.
The grandson of Nimshah, Deobarrao, did battle with Sultan Ahmad Shah I Bahmani. During his capture at Bidar, he fell in love with the Sultan's daughter. The marriage was solemnised after he converted to Islam and took the name Muhammad Shah. He returned to Jawhar and continued to rule his state unmolested, for the rest of his life. At his death, the powerful Hindu sardars and nobles refused to recognise his son as his successor, on account of his Muslim faith. In his stead, they chose the Hindu grandson of Holkarrao, the younger brother of Nimshah. Thereafter, his Hindu descendants ruled the little state in relative peace until the advent of the Maratha power.
Raja Vikramshah I met Shivaji the Great at Shirpaumal, during the latter's historic march to Surat, then joined him in the plunder of that city in 1664. However, he soon fell-out with the Marathas and was by the first Peshwa, Moropant Trimbak Pingle, in 1678. From then on, the Marathas slowly and steadily tightened their grip on the Mukne rulers, annexing district after district and imposing ever-increasing taxes, levies and fines. They took control of the state in 1742, 1758 and 1761. Each time releasing control to the Mukne family on condition that territories were ceded and the tribute increased. In 1782 the Raja was allowed to retain for himself, a land-locked territory in the hills, yielding no more than £1,500 to £2,000 p.a.
The advent of British rule brought a degree of stability unknown for more than a century. However, development was extremely slow, given the low level of revenue receipts and haphazard organisation of the administration. Little or no improvements were made until the reign of Patangshah IV. An enlightened and well-educated ruler, he immediately set about improving conditions, streamlining the government, building roads, schools and dispensaries. At his death in 1905, conditions had improved beyond measure.
The relatively short reigns of Patangshah's two sons, Krishnashah V and Vikramshah V, also saw steady improvements. The last named was especially diligent in improving the agricultural sector, constructing wells, securing lad rights and improving the infrastructure of the state. He contributed substantially towards the war effort during the Great War, and received a 9-gun salute in recognition of his services. His early death in 1926 ushered in a ten-year regency for his son, Yeshwantrao Patangshah V. The latter assumed full ruling powers in 1938, having received perhaps the best education by any member of his family. He continued the good work achieved under the regency by expanding development activity, encouraging the chemical, paper, textile, dyeing, printing, liquor and starch industries. The state provided free primary schooling and medical relief, ran both middle and high schools, a central library and museum, hospital and maternity home, and provided touring dispensaries for the rural areas. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Raja immediately volunteered for service and served for four years with the RIAF.
Yeshwantrao Patangshah V assumed the title of Maharaja, shortly before he signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India in 1947. He then merged his state into the Bombay Presidency early in the following year. He then embarked on a political career, representing his people in both the national parliament and the state assembly. He died in 1978 and was succeeded by his only son, Digvijaysinhrao. The latter died in 1992, leaving his only son, Mahendrasinhrao, to represent his illustrious line.
SALUTE:
9-guns.
ARMS:
A shield in three parts; dexter, tenne a dexter fist holding two crossed arrows (points dexter) and a bow, all argent; sinister, argent a round shield sable bordured or, in the chief argent, a sword or pointed sinister. Helmet: Or. Supporters: Leopards argent dappled or. Motto: "Jawhar State" in Hindi and English or on a riband tenne. Lambrequins: Or.
FLAG:
A rectangular saffron swallow-tail with a star of eleven rays, yellow in the canton.
STYLES & TITLES:
The ruling prince: Maharaja Shrimant Mahendrasinhrao Digvijaysinhrao Mukne, Raja of Jawhar, with the style of His Highness.
The consort of the ruling prince: Sakal Soubhagyavati Sampanna Shrimant Rani (personal name) Raje Sahiba, with the style of Her Highness.
The Heir Apparent: Shrimant Yuvraj (personal name) (father's name) Maharaj.
The consort of the Heir Apparent: Yuvaradni Shrimant Soubhagyavati (personal name) Raje Sahiba.
The younger sons of the ruling prince: Shrimant (personal name) (personal name) (father's name) Maharaj.
The daughters of the ruling prince: Shrimant (personal name) Maharaj Sahiba.
RULES OF SUCCESSION:
Male primogeniture, with the right of adoption by the recognised head of the family on the failure of natural heirs.
ORDERS & DECORATIONS:
The Maharaja Medal (Maharaja Padak): instituted by Maharaja Yeshwantrao Patangshah V in 1947 to commemorate his assumption of the title of Maharaja and to reward those who had served the state during his reign. Awarded in a single class.
SOURCES:
Administration Report of Jowar State. 1873/4, 1876/77-1878/79, 1880/81-1884/5. IOR/V/10. India Office Records, British Library, St Pancras, London.
Administration Report of Jawhar State. 1889/90-1897/98, 1910/11-1928/29. IOR/V/10. India Office Records, British Library, St Pancras, London.
C.U. Aitchison. A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Vol. VII Containing The Treaties, &c., Relating to the Bombay Presidency. Part II-Kutch Agency, Cambay, Surat Agency , Jauhar, Janjira, Satara Jagirdars, Kolhapur and Southern Maratha Country Agency, Sawantwari Savanur Nasik Agency, Sind and Lapsed States. Revised and continued up to the 1st June 1906 By the Authority of the Foreign Department. Superintendent Government Printing, India. Calcutta, 1909.
Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. Thana District. Parts I and II. Superintendent of Government Printing, Bombay, 1882.
The Indian & Pakistan Year Book & Who's Who 1948. The Times of India Press, Bombay, 1948.
Report on the Annual Administration of the Jawhar State. 1929/30-1944/45. IOR/V/10. India Office Records, British Library, St Pancras, London.
List of Ruling Princes and Chiefs in Political Relations with the Government of Bombay and their Leading Officials, Nobles and Personages. Government of India Central Publication Branch, Calcutta, 1931.
Saville Marriott and R.H. Showell, "Rough Notes Connected with the petty Estate of Jowar, in the Tanna Collectorate". Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government. No. XXVI - New Series, Political Department, Government of Bombay, 1856.
H.H. Raja Yeshwantrao (Maharaja of Jawhar). Jayaba. T&A Constable Ltd for H.H. The Maharaja of Jawhar, Edinburgh, 1970.
, Jawhar had a population of 11,296. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jawhar has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 66%. In Jawhar, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Municipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
in Thane district
Thane District
Thane is a district in northern Maharashtra state in western India. As of 2011 it is the most populated district in the nation. The headquarters of the district is the city of Thane. Other major cities in the district are Navi Mumbai , Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar,...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. It is about 166 km from Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and 80 km from the city of Nasik.
History
The princely statePrincely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of Jawhar was originally founded in 1343 AD. As a princely state, it became a part of Bombay Presidency
Bombay Presidency
The Bombay Presidency was a province of British India. It was established in the 17th century as a trading post for the English East India Company, but later grew to encompass much of western and central India, as well as parts of post-partition Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.At its greatest...
during the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. The last Princely Ruler of Jawhar at Indian independence was HH Shrimant Raja Patang Shah V (Yeswant Rao) Mukne.
JAWHAR
BRIEF HISTORY
The small tribal state of Jawhar, in the Konkan, dates its foundation to 1306, making it one of the oldest princely states in the old Bombay Presidency. In that year, a certain Jayabha Mukne, a Poligar, took possession of the fort at Jawhar. His elder son, Dulbarrao, expanded his patrimony and conquered a large territory, controlling 22 forts, comprising most of the Nasik and Thana districts, and yielding annual revenues valued at £90,000. He received recognition as ruler by Sultan Muhammad Shah II Tughlaq, receiving the new name of Nimshah and the hereditary title of Raja on 5th June 1343. This event was marked by the creation of a new calendar era used within the state for over six hundred years.
The grandson of Nimshah, Deobarrao, did battle with Sultan Ahmad Shah I Bahmani. During his capture at Bidar, he fell in love with the Sultan's daughter. The marriage was solemnised after he converted to Islam and took the name Muhammad Shah. He returned to Jawhar and continued to rule his state unmolested, for the rest of his life. At his death, the powerful Hindu sardars and nobles refused to recognise his son as his successor, on account of his Muslim faith. In his stead, they chose the Hindu grandson of Holkarrao, the younger brother of Nimshah. Thereafter, his Hindu descendants ruled the little state in relative peace until the advent of the Maratha power.
Raja Vikramshah I met Shivaji the Great at Shirpaumal, during the latter's historic march to Surat, then joined him in the plunder of that city in 1664. However, he soon fell-out with the Marathas and was by the first Peshwa, Moropant Trimbak Pingle, in 1678. From then on, the Marathas slowly and steadily tightened their grip on the Mukne rulers, annexing district after district and imposing ever-increasing taxes, levies and fines. They took control of the state in 1742, 1758 and 1761. Each time releasing control to the Mukne family on condition that territories were ceded and the tribute increased. In 1782 the Raja was allowed to retain for himself, a land-locked territory in the hills, yielding no more than £1,500 to £2,000 p.a.
The advent of British rule brought a degree of stability unknown for more than a century. However, development was extremely slow, given the low level of revenue receipts and haphazard organisation of the administration. Little or no improvements were made until the reign of Patangshah IV. An enlightened and well-educated ruler, he immediately set about improving conditions, streamlining the government, building roads, schools and dispensaries. At his death in 1905, conditions had improved beyond measure.
The relatively short reigns of Patangshah's two sons, Krishnashah V and Vikramshah V, also saw steady improvements. The last named was especially diligent in improving the agricultural sector, constructing wells, securing lad rights and improving the infrastructure of the state. He contributed substantially towards the war effort during the Great War, and received a 9-gun salute in recognition of his services. His early death in 1926 ushered in a ten-year regency for his son, Yeshwantrao Patangshah V. The latter assumed full ruling powers in 1938, having received perhaps the best education by any member of his family. He continued the good work achieved under the regency by expanding development activity, encouraging the chemical, paper, textile, dyeing, printing, liquor and starch industries. The state provided free primary schooling and medical relief, ran both middle and high schools, a central library and museum, hospital and maternity home, and provided touring dispensaries for the rural areas. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Raja immediately volunteered for service and served for four years with the RIAF.
Yeshwantrao Patangshah V assumed the title of Maharaja, shortly before he signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India in 1947. He then merged his state into the Bombay Presidency early in the following year. He then embarked on a political career, representing his people in both the national parliament and the state assembly. He died in 1978 and was succeeded by his only son, Digvijaysinhrao. The latter died in 1992, leaving his only son, Mahendrasinhrao, to represent his illustrious line.
SALUTE:
9-guns.
ARMS:
A shield in three parts; dexter, tenne a dexter fist holding two crossed arrows (points dexter) and a bow, all argent; sinister, argent a round shield sable bordured or, in the chief argent, a sword or pointed sinister. Helmet: Or. Supporters: Leopards argent dappled or. Motto: "Jawhar State" in Hindi and English or on a riband tenne. Lambrequins: Or.
FLAG:
A rectangular saffron swallow-tail with a star of eleven rays, yellow in the canton.
STYLES & TITLES:
The ruling prince: Maharaja Shrimant Mahendrasinhrao Digvijaysinhrao Mukne, Raja of Jawhar, with the style of His Highness.
The consort of the ruling prince: Sakal Soubhagyavati Sampanna Shrimant Rani (personal name) Raje Sahiba, with the style of Her Highness.
The Heir Apparent: Shrimant Yuvraj (personal name) (father's name) Maharaj.
The consort of the Heir Apparent: Yuvaradni Shrimant Soubhagyavati (personal name) Raje Sahiba.
The younger sons of the ruling prince: Shrimant (personal name) (personal name) (father's name) Maharaj.
The daughters of the ruling prince: Shrimant (personal name) Maharaj Sahiba.
RULES OF SUCCESSION:
Male primogeniture, with the right of adoption by the recognised head of the family on the failure of natural heirs.
ORDERS & DECORATIONS:
The Maharaja Medal (Maharaja Padak): instituted by Maharaja Yeshwantrao Patangshah V in 1947 to commemorate his assumption of the title of Maharaja and to reward those who had served the state during his reign. Awarded in a single class.
SOURCES:
Administration Report of Jowar State. 1873/4, 1876/77-1878/79, 1880/81-1884/5. IOR/V/10. India Office Records, British Library, St Pancras, London.
Administration Report of Jawhar State. 1889/90-1897/98, 1910/11-1928/29. IOR/V/10. India Office Records, British Library, St Pancras, London.
C.U. Aitchison. A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Vol. VII Containing The Treaties, &c., Relating to the Bombay Presidency. Part II-Kutch Agency, Cambay, Surat Agency , Jauhar, Janjira, Satara Jagirdars, Kolhapur and Southern Maratha Country Agency, Sawantwari Savanur Nasik Agency, Sind and Lapsed States. Revised and continued up to the 1st June 1906 By the Authority of the Foreign Department. Superintendent Government Printing, India. Calcutta, 1909.
Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. Thana District. Parts I and II. Superintendent of Government Printing, Bombay, 1882.
The Indian & Pakistan Year Book & Who's Who 1948. The Times of India Press, Bombay, 1948.
Report on the Annual Administration of the Jawhar State. 1929/30-1944/45. IOR/V/10. India Office Records, British Library, St Pancras, London.
List of Ruling Princes and Chiefs in Political Relations with the Government of Bombay and their Leading Officials, Nobles and Personages. Government of India Central Publication Branch, Calcutta, 1931.
Saville Marriott and R.H. Showell, "Rough Notes Connected with the petty Estate of Jowar, in the Tanna Collectorate". Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government. No. XXVI - New Series, Political Department, Government of Bombay, 1856.
H.H. Raja Yeshwantrao (Maharaja of Jawhar). Jayaba. T&A Constable Ltd for H.H. The Maharaja of Jawhar, Edinburgh, 1970.
Geography
Jawhar is located at 19.92°N 73.23°E. It has an average elevation of 447 metres (1466 feet).Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Jawhar had a population of 11,296. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jawhar has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 66%. In Jawhar, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.