Koli Princely State Of Surgana

Princely State Of Surgana
Deshmukh Saheb Dhairyashilrao Yeshwant Rao Ji Pawar
Caste
Koli

Dynasty 
Pawar

Title
Deshmukh

Religion
Hindu

Area
932.4 Km (360 Sq Miles)

Population
14,912 (1921)

Agency
Nashik Agency

Privy Purse
30000 Rupees

Revenue
60092 Rupees

Accession
March 1948

The ancestors of the Surgana deshmukh appear to have been Kolis who lived in the fastnesses round Hatgad. During Muham-madan rule a nominal allegiance was claimed from them, and they were entrusted with the charge of preventing the wild Bhils and Kolis of the Dangs passing above the Sabyadris,of rendering military service when required, and of keeping open the roads that ran through their territory. The fort of Hatgad, eight miles east of Surgana, was once of great importance ; and one of its gateways was placed in permanent charge of the chief. 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 irregular troops. Some time after, the head of the family represented to the Government that his want of a title lessened his influence in the Dangs and the country round. He was thereupon given the title of deshmukh with leave to seal in all matters connected with the Dangs and the Surgana frontier. Under Maratha rule, as the deshmukh refused to pay any revenue, his country along with the Dangs was included in rebel land, bandi mulak. But as Surgana lay on one of the high roads between the Deccan and Surat, great efforts were made to conciliate the chief. He was allowed to collect the revenue of Government villages in Surgana, and, when he chose, to pay it to a Maratha officer at Hatgad. [In the Peshwa's old records Surgana is entered as a division, taraf, of Hatgad, and the jaghir villages as taraf Suigana.] The Surgana deshmukh continued independent until 1818, when the British Government led an expedition against Malharji to punish him for an attack made on a party stationed at Surgana. In 1819 Malharji was seized and hanged, and his cousin Bhikaji who had helped Government against Malharji, was recognised as the head of the estate and vested with the chief authority. 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 recognised 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 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 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.

On Morarrav's death his branch was represented by his son Bhaskarrav. He was weak-headed and easily led astray by his advisers, who induced him to defy the authority of his cousin. In 1873, he died leaving three sons under the guardianship of his widow Salubai.

In 1877, in consequence of the deshmukh's highhandedness, a serious quarrel took place between him and the guardian widow Salubai. The diwan, who was unable to manage things properly, was for a time removed, and the dispute was peacefully settled. The present (1879) deshmukh, Shankarrav, a Koli by caste and thirty years old, manages his own affair , with the help of his diwan, who acts under the orders and instructions of the Khandesh Political Agent. He lives at Surgana where are the court treasury and prison; while Salubai his cousin's widow, lives at a village two miles distant. Three of her sons are being taught in the vernacular school at Dhulia. The deshmukh does not pay tribute either to the British Government or to any other state. The chiefs title is a misnomer and is granted by courtesy only, the family really being hereditary deshmukhs of the Hatgad division of Baglan in Nasik. [Mr. Bell's Letter 364 of 15th July 1844 to Townsend.] They do not hold a patent allowing adoption, and in matters of succession, follow the rule of primogeniture.

Deshmukh MALHAR RAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1818/1819, executed in 1819.

Deshmukh BHIKAJI RAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1819/1820

Deshmukh YESHWANT RAO I BHIKAJIRAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1820/1854

Deshmukh RAVI RAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1854/1867

Deshmukh SHANKAR RAO RAVI RAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1867/1898, born 1849.

Deshmukh PRATAP RAO SHANKAR RAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1898/1930, born 8th August 1880, succeeded 17th June 1899.

Deshmukh YESHWANT RAO II PRATAPRAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1930

Deshmukh Shri DHAIRYASHILRAO YESHWANTRAO, Deshmukh of Surgana 1936/2003, born 22nd November 1922, Member of the Rajya Sabha 1952/1968 and 1972/1978, married Shrimati Rani Udayani Devi, and had issue, two sons and one daughter. He died 23rd November 2003.

Surgana State
Surgana State
Surgana State

Source by https://kolistan.blogspot.in

Mr. Prem ji Mahour Koli Palwal, Hariyana