# Sawantwadi State

Savantvadi State, also spelt Sawantwadi ruled by the Sawant Bhonsale dynasty was one of the non-salute Maratha princely states during the British Raj. It was the only state belonging to the Kolaba Agency under the Bombay Presidency, which became later part of the Deccan States Agency. Its capital was at Sawantwadi, in the present-day Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
Sawantvadi State measured 438 square kilometers in area. According to the 1931 census, the population was 250,589. The official language of the inhabitants of the state was Marathi, while the local language is Malvani

## History

The coast line of Sawantwadi was strategically important, especially for the Europeans. The political boundaries of Sawantwadi fluctuated between the northern latitudes of 17°N and 15 °S and 73° E and the sea-coast from Masure till the mouth of the river Kolwal. The northern boundary of Sawantwadi is formed by the river Gadnadi which rises near the Ghotge ghat and meets the sea near Sarjekot.
The Sawant's, in the early sixteenth century, were high ranking commanders under the Vijayanagar Empire and later became feudal holders of the hereditary right Deshmukh under the rule of the Adil Shahi Dynasty. The Marathas under the legendary Shivaji and the Portuguese at Goa were the other two important powers which came into contact with Sawantwadi.
Mang Sawant was founder of Sawant Bhonsle dynasty. He was appointed as the governor of Kudal Province in South Konkan by Adilshah. He eventually started acting independently and hence, Adilshah sent a force to crush his rebellion. Mang Sawant defeated the Adilshahi army sent against him and officially established his independent kingdom in 1554. His kingdom remained independent until his death.He was followed by Phond Sawant who submitted and was rewarded with a jagir from the Sultanate of Bijapur. Phond was succeeded by his son Khem Sawant I who again asserted independance due to the declining Adilshahi rule.He was Succeeded By Son Som Sawant Who In Turn Was followed by His Brother Lakham Sawant I. Lakham Sawant Owed His Allegiance To Shivaji in 1650. He also had many conflicts with Shivaji and often allied with Adilshah and Portuguese against him. It was only during the period of Lakham Sawant I that the Sawant family, with Hodawade as the headquarters, came into political prominence. Lakham was followed by his brother Phond Sawant II who ruled for ten years.
After his demise, Khem Sawant II succeeded him. Khem Sawant submitted to the Mughals but later owed his Allegiance to Shivaji's grandson Shahu in 1707.
Khem Sawant II established his capital at Sundarwadi (now Sawantwadi), a hamlet of the village Charathe which later came to be known as Sawantwadi as the rulers were known as Sawants.Khem Savant was succeeded by his nephew Phond Sawant III who was involved in conflict between the Angarias, British and Portuguese.
His son Nar Sawant died early and his Grandson Ramchandra Sawant Succeeded him. Jayram Sawant acted as regent during Ramchandra's reign and achieved great success against Angarias. Ramchandra was succeeded by his nephew Khem Sawant III who was married to the daughter of Jayappa Shinde and received the title Raje Bahadur, He defeated the portuguese many times and died in the year 1803.
He was followed by Phond Sawant IV who was defeated and expelled by Shriram Sawant who grabbed the throne but died in 1806. Phond Sawant again managed to get the throne. He had to sign a treaty with the British and gave them the port of vengurla. Soon after the treaty Concluded in 1812 he died. He was followed by his Son Khem Sawant IV, who initially submitted to the British but at the end of his reign Rebelled and died soon, his rebellion was continued by his son Phond Sawant IV during the times of 1857 revolt.
Khem Sawant V was crowned on 29 October 1924. In his small tenure from 1924 to 1937.
He was succeeded by his incapable son Shivramraje Bhonsale, but he being a minor at the time, Bapusaheb's wife Parvatidevi looked after the State as a Regent. The administration of the Sawantwadi State during her regency was marked by several reforms and progress in education. Shivramraje Bhonsale converted the 18th century royal palace of Sawantwadi Royal family, into an art boutique hotel,working as a chef and receptionist there.