Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/216

 Ichalkaranji.

THIS is a feudatory State under Kolhapur and derives its name from its capital situated on the banks of the Panchganga river. Naro Mahadeo, the founder of the State, was one of the pioneers of the Brahmin families that migrated from the Konkan in the latter half of the seventeenth century. They came from the village of Varavada in the Ratnagin district. Mahadeopant, the father of the founder of the Ichalkaranji State, gained the Kulkarni watan of Mhapan under the Sawantwadi state. On his death, his widow and little son walked on to Bahirwadi, the residence of the famous Mahratta general, Santaji Ghorpade, who was favourably impressed with the smartness of the boy and took him under his aegis.

Rajaram appointed Santaji as his Senapati, and Naro Mahadeo not only proved an able lieutenant to the gallant Mahratta general but won his golden opinion. Naro Mahadeo's original surname was "Joshi," but instead of that he assumed "Ghorpade," which was that of his master and benefactor, and it is borne by the chiefs of Ichalkaranji even to this day.

Santaji died in 1698 A.D. and Naro was left to his own resources. He had, however, risen to so much distinction that Anubai, the daughter of Balaji Vishwanath, was given in marriage to his son, Venkat Rao, in 1713 A.D. This alliance helped the future rise of the Ichalkaranji family. Naro died in 1728 A.D.

Venkat Rao succeeded Naro, but he did not remain satisfied with his adherence to the family of Senapati Ghorpade alone. He found independent sphere for his activity. He rendered great service to the Mahrattas in their wars with the Portuguese about the year 1739 A.D. It was he, who built the fort of Ichalkaranji and made the place his capital. Venkat Rao died in 1744 A.D. leaving behind him a daughter and a son.

Narayan Rao Tatya, the son and successor of Venkat Rao, was given a command in the Peshwa's army, and was present in all the campaigns in the South that were undertaken by Nana Saheb and* Bhau Saheb. Narayan Rao's signal services obtained for him the Subhaship of Dharwar, then an important position. He died in 1770 A.D. and was succeeded by his son, Venkat Rao Dada Saheb. He too figured very prominently in the military operations of the Peshwa at that period, especially in the campaign in Gujrath in 1774 A.D. under the leadership of Haripant Fadke. While Venkat Rao was thus employed in distant parts, his own territory was repeatedly attacked by the neighbouring Raja of Kolhapur. By the treaty of Purandhar between Kolhapur and the Peshwa in 1776 A.D., which was again ratified in 1778 A.D., the integrity of Ichalkaranji was preserved. Venkat Rao died in 1 795 A.D. without issue. His widow, Ramabai, solicited the Peshwa's permission for adoption, which was reluctantly granted.

Narayan Rao Baba Saheb succeeded to the Ichalkaranji ' State, which had about this time shrivelled into only two Thanas-that of Ichalkaranji proper and Ajra, owing to the constant aggressions of Kolhapur and the Peshwa. Like his forefathers