Kolhapur Tourism

The third branch of famous Shilahar lineage declared Kollapur it's capital. An ancient copper plate dated 1048 B.C. found in this region has clearly mentioned the name of this town as Kollapur. But an inscription dated 1073 B.C. tells the name of the town as 'Kshullakapura'. The name Kolhapur is said to be originated from the word ‘Koll’, which means valley. Kolhapur is surrounded by valleys. But one thing is true; much before Kollapur, Kshullakapura or Kolhapur the name of this town was popular as Karveer.
Forts situated on the western hill ranges (Sahyadri) describe the story of bravery of many Royal lineages who ruled over this region. They are Shilahaar, Chalukya, Bahamani, Vijaynagar, Delhi Sultanate, Marathas, Karveer Chhatrapatis & British etc. Fort Panhala situated near Kolhapur was one of the famous forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji; the maker of Maratha Kingdom.
The present-day Kolhapur district was formed after the merger of the erstwhile Kolhapur Princely State into Mumbai Presidency in 1949.

Maratha Empire – The dynasties & states (1674-1818)
• Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj
(Born on 19- February - 1630, Crowned on 6 - June 1674 and dies on 3 - April - 1680 )
• Chhatrapati Sambhaji (1680–1688), elder son of Shivaji
• Chhatrapati Rajaram (1688–1700), younger son of Shivaji
• Rajmata Tarabai, regent (1700–1707), widow of Chhatrapati Rajaram
• Chhatrapati Shivaji II (b.1796, ruled 1700-14); first of the Kolhapur Chhatrapatis
Maratha Empire divided between two branches of the family c.1707-10 AD; division formalized in AD 1731.
Chhatrapatis at Satara
• Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj (b.1682, r.1707-1749)
• Rajaram II of Satara (b.1749, r.1749-77)
• Shahu II of Satara (r.1777-1810)
• Chhatrapati Pratapsinh of Satara (b.1793, r.1810-39)
Stara State annexed by the British in 1839
Chhatrapatis at Kolhapur
• Chhatrapati Shivaji II (b.1696, ruled 1700-14)
• Sambhaji II of Kolhapur (b.1698, r.1714-60)
• Rajmata Jijibai, regent (1760–73), senior widow of Sambhaji II
• Rajmata Durgabai, regent (1773–79), junior widow of Sambhaji II
• Shahu Shivaji II of Kolhapur (r.1762-1813); adopted by Jijibai, his predecessor's senior widow
• Sambhaji III of Kolhapur (b.1801, r.1813-21)
• Shivaji III of Kolhapur (b.1816, r.1821-22) (council of regency)
• Shahaji I of Kolhapur (b.1802, r.1822-38)
• Shivaji IV of Kolhapur (b.1830, r.1838-66)
• Rajaram I of Kolhapur (r.1866-70)
• Council of regency (1870–94)
• Shivaji V of Kolhapur (b.1863, r.1871-83); adopted by his predecessor's widow
• Rajarshi Shahu IV of Kolhapur (b.1874, r.1884-1922); adopted by his predecessor's widow
• Rajaram II of Kolhapur (b.1897 r.1922-40)
• Indumati Tarabai of Kolhapur, regent (1940–47), widow of Rajaram II
• Shivaji VI of Kolhapur (b.1941, r.1941-46); adopted by his predecessor's widow
• Shahaji II of Kolhapur (b.1910, r.1947-47, d.1983); formerly Maharaja of Dewas Senior; adopted by Indumati Tarabai, widow of Rajaram II
State acceded unto the dominion of India following the independence of India in 1947.