Surgana

Coat of Arms

Text and photographs courtesy - Shrimant Rohitraje Tejsinh Pawar Surgana .

SURGANA
(Princely State)
AREA: 360sq.mile i.e. 932 km2 PRIVY PURSE: Rs.30,000 ACCESSION: March 1948
STATE: Maharashtra
(Nasik Dist.) DYNASTY: Pawar
( Parmar Clan) RELIGION: Hindu
POPULATION: 14,912

PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY: The Parmars held Malwa. They were a loosly confederated clan, claming descent from the ancient Moris, a branch of the Mauryas, and their Chief towans were Chandravati in the Vicinity of Mount abu, Ujjain, and Dhar. About A.D. 83 Ugarsen Parmar,coming from Mount Abu, established himself as their king. But the most famous of their monarchs was Bhoja (circa A.D. 1010-1050), whose fame as warrior, author, and patron of letters is second only to that of the mythical Vikramaditya.The parmar Kingdom was overthrown by the solankis in the twelth century, and it split up into a number of small chieftainships.

Meherban Shrimant.Deshmukh Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Pawar, Raja of Surgana State, dated 1944.

: Shrimant. Tejsinhraje Dhairyasheelrao Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar of Surgana State.

Meherban Shrimant.Deshmu8kh Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Pawar, Chief (Raja) of Surgana State with on of the Brirish lords, During the open Surgana Durbar dated 1944.

Shrimant. Sau Udyanidevi Dhairyasheelrao Deshmukh Pawar, Rani Saheb of Surgana State (Daughter of Shrimant. Wamanrao Narsinhrao Ghorpade, Sardar of Bedak and Daughter of Shrimant. Sau. Capt. Kamlaraje Paur, Rajkumari of Dhar State).

Shrimant. Sau. Udyanidevi Dhairyasheelrao Deshmukh Pawar, Rani saheb of Surgana along with Shrimant. Rajkumari Kalpanaraje Dhairyasheelrao Deshmukh Pawar. ( Now Shrimant Chhatrapati Kalpanaraje Pratapsinh Maharaj Bhonsle, Rajmata of Satara).

The Chiefs (Raja) of Surgana were Parmar clan originally from Dhar in Malwa and thus known as Pawars in the Deccan Plateau. They were Sardars and performed Valuable services during the regime of the Great Shivaji and of his sons Sambhaji and Rajaram. They were employed in leading expeditionary forces in to Malwa where they forcibly collected Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the people. Thus the Pawars came into prominence for their military services in the Khandesh and Malwa in the begning of the 18 centurary. Shahu Maharaj won them over to his cause and made the Pawar brothers military officers of the highest rank.

Photograph of Hon'ble Dr.Rajendra Prasad , President of India with my Grandfather Shrimant Raje Dhiryasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief of Surgana State. This photograph has been taken at Surgana.

Surgana State Open Darbar. Seen in the Photograph is my Grandfather H.H Shrimant Raje Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State with one of the Lord's from England. Dated 1944.

H.H Shrimant Raje Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State, Diening with some british dignitaries.

Surgana State Open Darbar. Seen in the Photograph is my Grandfather H.H Shrimant Raje Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State. Dated 1944.


This Photograph is taken on one of the Surgana Darbar. my Grandfather H.H Shrimant Raje Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State. . My Grandfather was only 17 Year's old, when he was instoled on the Gadi with full ruling powers of Surgana State.Dated 1938.

During Muhammadan rule a nominal allegiance was claimed from them, and they were entrusted with the duties of preventing predatory incursions above the Western Ghats by the wild bhils and kolis of the dangs and rendering military services to their neighboring Chief tans when required, and of keeping open the roads that ran through their territory. To enhance their authority they were entitled Deshmukhs and in full “ Saheb Musfat Kadardan Meherban Karam Farmayi Dostan” of the Hatgad division of Nasik. The fort of Hatgad, eight miles east of Surgana, was once of great importance; and its gateways was placed in permanent charge of the chief (Raja). Afterwards the chief, having shown considerable activity and loyalty, was entrusted with the charge of the line of the Sahyadris from Ravla to Shribhuvan. Several villages in Surgana were granted to him in reward for his service and for the support of his troops. When the Marathas rose to power in the late 17 centaury Surgana Chieftains (Raja) refused to pay tribute to them as well as to the Moghuls and later years to the british, thus were termed as “Rebel lords” Bandi Mulk (rebel land). Nevertheless their vital strategic position between the Deccan and Surat made the Marathas conciliatory toward them.

This Photograph is taken on one of the Surgana Darbar. my Grandfather H.H Shrimant Raje Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State. . My Grandfather was only 17 Year's old, when he was instoled on the Gadi with full ruling powers of Surgana State.Dated 1938.


H.H Shrrimant Fatehsinh Pratapsinh Gaekward, Maharaja saheb of Baroda State Lunching with my Grandfather H.H Shrimant Raje Dhairyasheelrao Yeshwantrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State.This is my Grandfathers Wedding lunch Photograph Taken at Surgana.

Shrimant. Udyanidevi Dhairyasheelrao Deshmukh Pawar, Ranisaheb Maharaj of Surgana State.

H.H Shrimant. Yeshwantrao Prataprao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State. Dated 1936.

Surgana is one of the names of lord Shanker or Shiva, which means “a place where lord shanker resides with other gods”. Surgana was established before 1800 and was a 360 sq.mile princely state. Surgana State lies in the South-West corner of Khandesh and is bordered on the south by Peinth in Nasik, and in the west by the princely states of Bansda and Dharampur.
In 1818, acting as virtual independent rulers, they attacked a British police party passing through Surgana. In retaliation, the Chief, Malharrao was seized and hanged in 1819, and his cousin Bhikaji Rao was recognized as the head of the state. Malharji's mother, who after; her son's death lived at Vani in the Nasik district, stirred up her brother-in-law Pilaji who raised a disturbance and murdered Bhikaji. In 1820 a force was sent against Pilaji, who, for a time, sought refuge in Peint, but was seized, and with five of his accomplices hanged. Yashvantrao, son of Bhikaji, then a lad of ten years, was recognized as the representative of the chief branch and appointed to manage the state through a diwan chosen by Government. But the younger branch refused to acknowledge Yashvantrao, and separating from him continued in a state of bitter enmity. In 1842, the disputes between the two branches rose so high that british Government had to interfere. An inquiry showed that Morarrav the head of the younger branch was to blame. He was for some time placed under surveillance, but in 1848, on furnishing security for his future good conduct, he was allowed to return to his princely estate. In 1854, Yashvantrao died and was succeeded by his cousin Ravirav. The question as to which was the senior branch was again raised. It was decided in favour of Ravirav who was given the chief power, while Morarrav the head of the younger branch was to carry on the state affairs in concert with Ravirav, and enjoy an equal share in the state revenue. Ravirav was succeeded by his son Shankarrav, the present deshmukh (1879)
After the death of Shankarrao on June 2, 1890, his son Prataprao was recognized as the Deshmukh of Surgana. In June 22,1930 when Prataprao expired , the question of succession was again raised and the british government elected yeshwantrao amongst the sons of Prataprao to be the next chief (Raja) of Surgana. On the death of Yeshwantrao in April 17, 1936, his son Dhairyasheelrao was installed on the Gadi of Surgana, with full ruling powers by the British Government.
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[In the Peshwa's old records Surgana is entered as a division, taraf, of Hatgad, and the jaghir villages as taraf Surgana.].

Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar Maharaj of Surgana along with son Kaustubhaditya Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Yuvraj of Surgana.

Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar Maharaj of Surgana with wife Vrushaliraje Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumari Maharaj of Surgana.

Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar Maharaj of Surgana.

Vrushaliraje Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumari Maharaj of Surgana. also Daughter of Chhatrapati Shivajiraje Shahu Maharaj Bhonsle, Princess of Satara ( 13-Direct Descend of Chhatrapati. Shivaji Maharaj, the Great Maratha Warrior King).

During the uprising of 1857 also known as the first war of Independence, Surgana State along with peinth State had a major under hand in the conspiracy against the Britishers. The ruler of Peinth State was executed and hanged and his state annexed into british territory. The British government had no direct evidence against Surgana State,

In recent times Surgana State is one of the original “constituent” members of the Chamber of Princes, from 1921 to 1947 the chief was entitled to elect a Representative Member of the Chambers of Princes.Surgana ranks fourteenth among the states of Gujarat, after Jambhughoda. The title “Deshmukh” “Desh means country, and mukh, means mouth, that the chief (Raja) is the spokesman of his country. The State pays no tribute to the British Government or to any other princely state and is entitled to the privileges of exemption from Nazarana as announced at the Grand Coronation Darbar.

The Chief (Raja) is entitled to receive a dress of Honour from the Government every year and is entitled to be received by the Governor of Bombay on whose behalf the Political Agent gives the dress of Honour every year to the Chief (Raja)

Surgana State does not hold patent allowing adoption, and in matters of succession, follows the rule of primogeniture.

Kaustubhadityaraje Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Yuvraj of Surgana.


Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar Maharaj of Surgana .

LAND REVENUE :

As per Khandesh District Gazette, the land revenue was raised on the plough , Autbandi , system where two bullocks representing one plough. As there are no carts , every bullock whose neck showed marks of wear was assessed accordingly. No account was taken of the amount of land tilled by each plough or of the nature of the crop raised. In each village not more than one-fourth or one-fifth of the whole population paid rent.
According to the book “Ruling Princes and Chiefs in Political Relations with the Government of Bombay and their Leading Officials, Nobles and Personages” ,” In 1903 Shankarrao Ravirao agreed to prohibit the cultivation of hemp on consideration of his receiving a refund of 3/4th of the duty levied on hemp drugs imported into the State, while the refund of duty paid to the State is 13-14th of the amount paid.” Hence Abkari administration was followed

JUSTICE :
“Ruling Princes and Chiefs in Political Relations with the Government of Bombay and their Leading Officials, Nobles and Personages” mentions “ The late chief exercised unlimited Civil Jurisdiction and had power to try all criminal cases except those of a serious nature which are required to be referred to the Political Agent who decides whether such offences be tried by the Agency or disposed of by the Desmukh. “

Kaustubhaditya Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Yuvraj of Surgana.

Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar Maharaj of Surgana along with son Kaustubhaditya Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Yuvraj of Surgana.

Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumar Maharaj along with Wife Vrushaliraje Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Rajkumari Maharaj of Surgana and Son Kaustubhaditya Rohitraje Deshmukh Pawar, Yuvraj of Surgana.


Shrimant. Prataprao Shankarrao Deshmukh Pawar, Chief ( Raja) of Surgana State.Dated 1919.

HONOR :

Surgana State didn’t pay any tribute to the British Government nor to any other Princely state and was entitled to the privileges of exemption from Nazarana as announced at the Grand Coronation Durbar. Surgana was one of the original “constituent” members of the Chamber of Princes.The Chief was entitled to receive a dress of Honour from Government every year and was entitled to be received by the Governor of Bombay on whose behalf the Political Agent gives the dress of Honour every year to the Chief.

In March 1948, Meherban Dhairyashil Rao Yeshwantrao Pawar, Chief (Raja) of Surgana, signed the Gujrat States Merger Agreeement (#2). Rulers were.....
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh MALHARRAO PAWAR, Raja of Surgana-/1819, executed in 1819.
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmuk BHIKAJIRAO PAWAR 1819/-, Raja of Surgana (Placed on the royal gadi (Throne) by the british in 1818, but was killed by disturbances engineered by Malhar rao widow.)
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh YESHWANTRAO – I BHIKAJI RAO PAWAR, Raja of Surgana
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh RAVIRAO PAWAR, Raja of Surgana /1867 ( Succeeded by a cousin )
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh SHANKARRAO RAVI RAO PAWAR, (b. 1849 ) (d. June 2, 1890)
• Ruled from 1867-1890, (#1). Raja of Surgana
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh PRATAP RAO RAVIRAO PAWAR, Raja of Surgana ( b.August 9, 1880 ) (d. June 22,1930)
• Ruled from 1898 -1930
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh YESHWANTRAO II PRATAPRAO PAWAR, Raja of Surgana ( elected by the British government of India among the sons of Prataprao. (b. July 21,1902) (d. April 17, 1936) ruled from 1930-1936
• Meherban Shrimant Deshmuk DHAIRYASHILRAO YESHWANTRAO PAWAR, (Chief) Raja of Surgana
• (b.Nov 22,1922) (d. Nov 23, 2003) Placed on the royal gadi (Throne) on (March 7, 1938) Invested with ruling powers, January 31, 1944. ruled from 1938 – 1948. Member of the Rajya Sabha 1951-1968 and 1972-1978, married on Feb 1943 to Shrimati. Rani Udayani Devi, daughter of Shrimant. Waman rao Narsim rao Ghorpade, Amir ul Umrao Sardar of Bedak and Shrimant Akhand Soubbagyavati Capt. Kamlaraje, Rajkumari Maharaj of Dhar State. He died 23rd November 2003 and is survived by 2 sons and 1 daughter.

o Meherban Shrimant Deshmukh NITRANJAN DHAIRYASHILRAO PAWAR. Raja of Surgana, Married Shrimant Akhand Soubbagyavati Rani Saheb Geetadeviraje and has 3 daughters and 1 son.
o Rajkumari Anjaliraje Nitranjan Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana born 29th January 1974
o Rajkumari Runaliraje Nitranjan Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana born 3rd July 1975.
o Rajkumari Kavitaraje Nitranjan Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana born 13th April 1978
o Yuvraj Atishraje Nitranjan Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana. born 4th December 1982.

o Shrimant Rajkumar Maharaj TEJSINH DHAIRTASHEELRAO DESHMUKH PAWAR of Surgana, married Shrimant Akhand Soubbagyavati Kuvar Rani Saheb Ushadeviraje Tejsinh Pawar, and has 2 issue.
Shrimant Rajkumar Rohitraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana, born 28th January 1977, educated at Pune University (M.B.A.), married on 9th December 2001, to Shrimant. Chhatrapati Rajkumari. Akhand Soubbagyavati Vrushaliraje daughter of Shrimant.Chhatrapiti Shivajiraje Bhonsle, Rajkumar Maharaj saheb of Satara and Shrimant Akhand Soubbagyavati Chandralekharaje Bhonsle ( the direct house of Chhatrapati.Shivaji Maharaj) (13-Direct Descedent of the famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and has issue.
Shrimant Yuvraj Kaustubhadityaraje Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana born on 13, March 2003.
Shrimant Rajkumar Ratnasheelraje Tejsinh Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana, born on 13 April 1981 married to Akhand Soubbagyavati Sonaliraje on 8 Dec 2010.
Shrimant sau Rajkumari Akhand Soubagyavati Kalpanaraje Dhairyasheelrao Deshmukh Pawar of Surgana married Chhatrapati Shrimant.PRATAPSINHRAJE SHAHUMAHARAJ BHONSLE, Maharaja of Satara ( the direct house of Chhatrapati.Shivaji Maharaj) and has issue, 1 son and 1 daughter.
Shrimant. Chhatrapati Udyanraje Pratapsinh Bhonsle, Maharaja of Satara. (Member of Parliament) Married to Akhand Soubbagyavati Damyanthiraje Singh, Rajkumari of Danta and has issue 1 son and 1 daughter.
Shrimant. Chhatrapati Veerpratap Udyanraje Maharaj Bhonsle.
Shrimant. Chhatrapati Rajkumari Akhand Soubbagyavati Manisharaje Pratapsinh Bhonsle married Dhananjay Patil.

PRINCELY LETTERS OF THE SURGANA STATE:

REVENUE STAMPS OF THE SURGANA STATE :

For more on the Surgana State :

SURGANA

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Surgana - A Princely State

Friday, 22 April 2011

Surgana - A Princely State

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