Sarpotdar
Encyclopedia
Sarpotdar is a family name found mainly among the Maharashtrian people in India
. It is derived from the Mughal
title Sarpotdar. The Persian
word "pota" which means "treasure": the treasurer
in Mughal times was called "Potdar" and the chief treasurer would be "Sarpotdar". Later on, the nature of this job changed to somewhat like Inspector General
of Currencies.
district in the konkan
region of Maharashtra
(India
). They are predominantly from Anjanari, Nadivali and Padvan and one of their branches had settled at Godhra in Gujrat
.
Their surname earlier was Orpe and was subsequently changed to Sarpotdar possibly in the 16th century. Their Kuladaivat (family deity
) is Laxmi Ravalnath
of marcela (Mashel) and Pernem (Pedne) in Goa
.
i.e. ‘khelana’ from Bidar
, a political city in Karnataka
, in the late 16th century. Since then various generations of Sarpotdars worked on the Fort Vishalgad
as administrative officers on different posts.
Evidences show that Narayan Timaji alias Naropant Sarpotdar was the in charge of Kothi & Ambarkhana i.e. ‘Food stocks & treasure’ in pre-shivaji times.
'Padmabhushan' Mahamahopadhyaya Datto Vaman Potdar
and Ex Parliamentary Leader of ‘Shivsena’ Madhukar Sarpotdar.
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...
. It is derived from the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
title Sarpotdar. The Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
word "pota" which means "treasure": the treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
in Mughal times was called "Potdar" and the chief treasurer would be "Sarpotdar". Later on, the nature of this job changed to somewhat like Inspector General
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
of Currencies.
Origin
Sarpotdars originate from RatnagiriRatnagiri
Ratnāgiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east...
district in the konkan
Konkan
The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
region 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...
(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...
). They are predominantly from Anjanari, Nadivali and Padvan and one of their branches had settled at Godhra in Gujrat
Gujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
.
Their surname earlier was Orpe and was subsequently changed to Sarpotdar possibly in the 16th century. Their Kuladaivat (family deity
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
) is Laxmi Ravalnath
Ravalnath
Ravalnath is a very popular Shaivite deity in west coastal region of India, figuring predominantly Goa, the Sindhudurg district of coastal Maharashtra and some areas of Karnataka.-Etymology:...
of marcela (Mashel) and Pernem (Pedne) in Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
.
Historical background
The first known ancestor of Sarpotdars Ravalopant Orpe Sarpotdar came to Fort VishalgadVishalgad
Vishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
i.e. ‘khelana’ from Bidar
Bidar
Bidar is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the north-eastern part of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of the Bidar District....
, a political city in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, in the late 16th century. Since then various generations of Sarpotdars worked on the Fort Vishalgad
Vishalgad
Vishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
as administrative officers on different posts.
Evidences show that Narayan Timaji alias Naropant Sarpotdar was the in charge of Kothi & Ambarkhana i.e. ‘Food stocks & treasure’ in pre-shivaji times.
Family Heros
- Narayan Timaji's son Ranganath alias Rango Narayan is supposed to be the first family hero who joined Shivaji and worked for him and his successor SambhajiSambhajiSambhaji Raje Bhosle was the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire.- Early life :...
as their officer throughout his life. When Shivaji escaped from ‘Fort PanhalaPanhalaPanhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
’ and reached ‘Fort VishalgadVishalgadVishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
’ (after Baji Prabhu episode) with Adilshahi troops on his back, Shivaji ordered Rango Narayan to attack the enemy at once. Rango Narayan, the then In-Charge of the Fort VishalgadVishalgadVishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
, attacked the Adilshahi troops (headed by Shiddi Masood, Suryarao Surve and Jaswantrao) camping around the fort, defeated them and turned them away back to Fort PanhalaPanhalaPanhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
. Delighted with his great victory, Shivaji awarded Rango Narayan handsomely.
- In the last decade of the 17th century, Kashi Ranganath; the elder son of Rango Narayan bravely fought with the troops of AurangzebAurangzebAbul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
and captured Fort PanhalaPanhalaPanhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
under the leadership of Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi in 1692. For this, Chhatrapati Rajaram rewarded him village 'Shembavane' near Malkapur.
- In 1702, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Pratinidhi & AurangzebAurangzebAbul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
as a result of which Fort VishalgadVishalgadVishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
was handed over to the MughalsMughal EmpireThe Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
for a huge consideration.The younger son of Rango Narayan namely Shamji Ranganth, however, made a conspiracy with other two officials and handed over the Fort back to the Marathas in 1707. Shamji Ranganath had worked as Havaldar of VishalgadVishalgadVishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
for more than six years.
- 1702 onwards Rango Narayan's nephew Govind Purushottam Sarpotdar was in the civil service of the Maratha empireMaratha EmpireThe Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
as 'Deshadhikari' that is GovernorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of the konkanKonkanThe Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
prant.
- Sarpotdars remained as officers even in PeshwaPeshwaA Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
s’ times and worked on different posts such as 'Governor', 'Finance Controller' & 'Chief Administrator' over generation by generation. Vitthal Apaji 'Sabnis' was the last Sarpotdar working as Administrator on the Fort until its demolition in 1844 by the BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Nrusinha Mandir on the fort was built by Vitthal Apaji. The well known 'Pant Pratinidhi Bakhar' was researched and written by him on request by the British Government.
Legacy
The recent well-known personalities from Sarpotdars are the veteran historian and Ex-Vice-Chancellor of University of PuneUniversity of Pune
The University of Pune , is a university located in northwestern Pune, India. It was founded in 1949. Spread over a campus, the university is home to 46 academic departments...
'Padmabhushan' Mahamahopadhyaya Datto Vaman Potdar
Datto Vaman Potdar
Dattatray Vaman Potdar , better known as Datto Vaman Potdar, was an eminent Indian historian, writer, and orator. He was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Pune during 1961 - 1964....
and Ex Parliamentary Leader of ‘Shivsena’ Madhukar Sarpotdar.