Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/271

 Phaltan.

THE Chief of Phaltan surnamed Nimbalkar belongs to an ancienr Mahratta family, which attained great distinction in the fourteenth century. Nimbraj, who is said to be the founder of the family, was a brave warrior and distinguished himself in the time of Mahammad Tughlak, the Emperor of Delhi, who granted h.m a jahagir and the tittle of 'Naik.' He died in 1349 A.D., having founded the present town of Phaltan. He was succeeded by his son, Wanang Bhupal. This chief was put to death in 1374 A.D. His son, Wanangpal, retook Phaltan in 1390 A.D. and died in 1394 A.D. After this, a number of chiefs followed in direct succession, but no authentic information about them is available.

In the seventeenth century, Phaltan State was a tributary of the Bijapur kings. In 1630 A.D. Mudhoji Rao became the chief of Phaltan. He was killed by the king •of Bijapur in 1644 A.D. and his son, Banaji Natk, was taken prisoner to Bijapur. He too would have been killed, but owing to the intercession of some Mahratta nobles at the Bijapur Court he was set free and restored to his ancestral jahagir in 1651 A.D. It is said that Shiwaji had given his daughter, Sakhubai, to the son of Banaji Naik, and renewed the ties of relationship with the Nimbalkar family. It is well known that the famous Jagpal Rao Naik Nimbalkar was related to the house of Bhonsles through his sister, Dipabai, wife of Maloji and grandmother of Shiwaji.

With the growth of the Mahratta power, the jahagir of Phaltan became subordinate to the Rajas of Satara and the Peshwas of Poona. After the overthrow of Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa of Poona, this State became allied to the Raja of Satara by the treaty of 1820 A.D. and finally to the British Raj.

The present Chief, Mudhoji Rao alias Bapusaheb was adopted in 1841 A.D. by Sahebji Bai, the widow of Jan Rao Naik Nimbalkar, who concluded a treaty of friendship with the British Government in 1 820 A.D. and died at a very advanced age. Shrirr Ant Bapusaheb was installed on the gadi with full powers in 1 860 A.D. Since that time he has been ruling the State with considerable success. He is a strict disciplinarian and takes great interest in bringing his State into line with the other progressive administrations. He has devised a system of water works for the town of Phaltan, which reflect credit on his administrative capacity. He is much loved and respected by his subjects and has given them the benefit of free education in the State.

The State has an estimated area of 397 square miles and according to the census of 1911 A.D. a population of 55,960 souls. The gross income of the State on the average of the past five years is Rs. 2,05,791, out of which an annual tribute of Rs. 9,600 is paid to the British Government in lieu of a service of 75 horse.

The Chief of Phaltan ranks as a first class Sirdar in the Deccan and holds a sanad permitting adoption.