Akkalkot

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Akkalkoth | type = city | latd = | longd =
state_name = Maharashtra | district = Solapur
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population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 38,218| population_density =
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Akkalkot is a taluka that lies at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka.It lies in the district of Solapur and is the administrative center of Akkalkot, a sub-division of that district.Majority of people speak kannada.Akkalkot is home to Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj.Also,many lingayat people visit Mallikarjun temple.

About Akkalkot

Akkalkoth is bordered by south Solapur to the west and other districts. The district covers an area of 1,407 km². and contains 138 villages, apart from the town. The total population of the district is approximately 290,000 (2001 census), giving a population density of 209 per km². The soil is classified as 'medium to deep black' and is of rich quality. Jawar, Bajra and Pulses are the main crops grown in the district. Akkolkot is continously drought hit area. It comes under RAIN SHADOW rigion in gegrophical terms. No big river passes through this taluka.Akkalkoth is widely known for its association with Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj [http://www.saimaster.com/Books/Readbook.asp?PNo=AM0000] held by some to be a reincarnation of Lord Dattatreya. Swami Maharaj lived for over two decades at Akkalkot, mainly at the residence of is dicepel Cholappa, where his Samadhi and shrine are now located. The shrine complex, The Vatavriksh Mandir , which also encloses the famous banyan tree beneath which the Swami would preach his message, is the hub of devotions for his followers; free accommodation and meals are provided to pilgrims by Shri Swami Samarth Annachhatra Mandal also.The other shrine is of Samadhi of Akkalkoth Swami located at some distance from the main shrine but in the city limits.

Princely Akkalkoth

During the British Raj, Akkalkot was the seat of a princely state of the same name. The non-salute state came under the Deccan States Agency and was bordered by Hyderabad State and the presidency of Bombay Presidency. The area of the state was 498 sq. miles; its population in 1901 was 82,047, while the population of the town itself was 8,348 in that year. In 1911, the state enjoyed a revenue estimated at Rs.26,586/- and paid a tribute to the British Raj of Rs.1,000/-.

The ruling dynasty were descended from Ranoji Lokhande, who was adopted by Chhattrapati Sambhaji, grandson of Shivaji, around the year 1708. Upon his adoption, Ranoji assumed the name 'Fatehsinh Bhonsle' and received in appenage the town of Akkalkoth and surrounding areas. These estates remained a fief within the state of Satara until 1848, when the rulers of Satara (Chhatrapati Sambhaji designated successors) were deposed by the British. Akkalkoth then became one of several vassals of Satara that were recognised as separate princely states by the British Raj. The political history of the state is remarkable in having been altogether bareft of major incident; however, given their stability and association with the dynasty of Shivaji, the family came to be linked by marriage to nearly every major Great Maratha ruling family in India. The ruling chiefs of Akkalkoth were:

1707-1760 Fatehsinh I Raje Bhonsle (born Ranoji Lokhande) 1760-1789 Shahaji I (Bala Sahib) Raje Bhonsle 1789-1822 Fatehsinh II (Appa Sahib) Raje Bhonsle 1822-1823 Maloji I (Baba Sahib) Raje Bhonsle 1823-1857 Shahaji II (Appa Sahib) Raje Bhonsle 1857-1870 Maloji II (Buwa Sahib) Raje Bhonsle 1870-1896 Shahaji III (Baba Sahib) Raje Bhonsle 1896-1923 Cpt. Fatehsinhrao III Raje Bhonsle 1923-1952 Vijayasinhrao Fatehsinhrao Raje Bhonsle 1952-1965 Jayasinhrao Vijayasinhrao Raje Bhonsle Upon the withdrawal of the British from India in 1947, Akkalkot state acceded unto the Dominion of India, and was later merged with the province of Bombay. Wife of Jayasinghrao Bhosale Mrs Srimant Nirmala raje Bhosle was Minister for states in Mumbai provinece govt.Their two dauthers namly Shrimant Sunita Raje & SShrimant Sanyukta raje are look ofter the propertis. In 2006 Shrimant Sanyukta raje Bhosle adopted a child from Kolahapur Mratha family & named as Shrimant Fattesingh raje ( Baba raje)

DemographicsAs of 2001 India census,GRIndia Akkalkot had a population of 38,218. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Akkalkot has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

ee also

* List of Indian Princely States

External links

* [http://solapur.nic.in/htmldocs/akkalkot.htm Vitalstatistics]
* [http://solapur.nic.in/htmldocs/ggraphy.htm Geography and demographics]
* [http://www.SwamiSamarth.com Swami Samartha Maharaj of Akkalkoth]
* [http://solapur.nic.in/htmldocs/rakkalkot.htm Swami Samartha Maharaj of Akkalkoth]
* [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India2/akalkot.htm Detailed genealogy of the ruling chiefs of Akkalkoth]
*1911

References