18th century

During the 18th century CE, Kolhapur emerged as a powerful Maratha princely state, ruled by the Kolhapur branch of the Bhosale dynasty—descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This century was marked by internal power struggles, rivalry with the Satara Bhosales, conflicts with the Peshwas, and the consolidation of Kolhapur as a semi-independent kingdom.

?️ What Happened in Kolhapur During the 18th Century?

1. ? Kolhapur Becomes a Separate Maratha State

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  After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1680 and later conflicts, his younger son Rajaram's widow, Tarabai, established a rival Maratha court in Kolhapur.

  
  


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  In 1707, the Kolhapur line of Bhosales formally split from the Satara branch (descendants of Shahu Maharaj).

  
  


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  Kolhapur became a separate principality, ruled by its own Chhatrapati from the Bhosale line.

  
  

2. ⚔️ Conflicts with the Peshwas (Maratha Prime Ministers)

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  The Peshwas of Pune (like Baji Rao I, Balaji Baji Rao) aimed to centralize power and often clashed with Kolhapur rulers.

  
  


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  Kolhapur resisted Peshwa authority, seeking full autonomy.

  
  


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  There were several small wars and negotiations between Kolhapur and the Peshwas throughout the century.

  
  

✅ Despite being part of the broader Maratha Confederacy, Kolhapur functioned independently in military, revenue, and diplomacy.

3. ? Civil Wars and Succession Disputes

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  The 18th century saw internal strife, including:

  
  
  
  
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    Power struggles between rival Bhosale claimants

    
    
  
  
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    Interventions by nobles, generals, and external Maratha factions

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  These disputes sometimes weakened Kolhapur and made it vulnerable to Peshwa or British pressure.

  
  

4. ? Religious and Cultural Life Flourishes

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  The Mahalakshmi Temple remained a key religious and cultural center.

  
  


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  The rulers made generous donations to temples and promoted Hindu festivals, especially Navaratri and Ashadi Ekadashi.

  
  


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  Kolhapur also supported:

  
  
  
  
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    Shaivism, Shaktism, Bhakti movements

    
    
  
  
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    Folk arts, kirtan, powadas (ballads), and Marathi literature

    
    
  
  
  
  

5. ? Kolhapur Court and Administration

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  The Kolhapur kings maintained:

  
  
  
  
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    Their own court (darbar) with ministers and military generals

    
    
  
  
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    A local army, mainly composed of Maratha soldiers

    
    
  
  
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    Revenue systems based on land taxes, temple grants, and trade duties

    
    
  
  
  
  

6. ? Relations with British and Other Powers

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  In the late 1700s, as the British East India Company began expanding in western India:

  
  
  
  
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    Kolhapur had occasional diplomatic contacts with the British

    
    
  
  
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    It tried to maintain independence from both Peshwa influence and British pressure

    
    
  
  
  
  

⚠️ The First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782) indirectly affected Kolhapur, though it remained neutral or peripheral during major fighting.