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Mudhol
मुधोल

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Ruling Family: Mudhol Ghorpade

Type: Princely State

Salute: 9 Gun Salute

Previous State: Bombay

Current State: Karnataka

Established: 1465

Accession: 1948

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Flags

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Darbar Hall, Mudhol Ghorpade Palace

Current

National Flag of India

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State Flag of Karnataka
(Proposed)

Former

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Flag of the British Raj

Flag of the House Ghorpade

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Flag of the Maratha Empire

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Flag of the Mudhol Ghorpades

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Raja Shrimant Sir Malojirao IV Raje Ghorpade Bahadur [Nana Sahib], KCIE

King of Mudhol

A Brief History

The Mudhol State, nestled within the Southern Maratha Country, now part of Karnataka, India, traces its royal lineage to the Ghorpade clan of the Marathas, a name synonymous with valour and governance in the Deccan region. This princely state, with its capital in the city of Mudhol, flourished under the rule of the Ghorpade Dynasty, culminating in the reign of HH Shrimant Raja Bhairavsinhrao Malojirao Ghorpade II, its last ruler before acceding to the Dominion of India on March 8, 1948.

The origins of the Ghorpade family are steeped in martial prowess and royal intrigue. The dynasty claims descent from the Rawal of Mewar, with the lineage’s foundations laid in the Deccan by Sajjan Singh (Sujansi), who ventured into the region in the 14th century. Over generations, the Ghorpades distinguished themselves in military and administrative capacities under various sovereignties, including the Bahamani Kings of Bijapur and later the Adil Shahi dynasty, showcasing their adaptability and resilience.

A pivotal moment in the family’s history was the act of valour by Karansinh Ghorpade, who scaled the walls of Vishalgad fort using a monitor lizard, earning the Ghorpade name. This ingenuity and bravery set the stage for the family's ascendancy to rulership. Bhimsinh, son of Karansinh, received Mudhol with the hereditary title of Raje Ghorpade Bahadur, in his father's honour.  The Mudhol estate was elevated to a princely state by the 17th century. Despite political upheavals and territorial disputes, the Ghorpades maintained Mudhol as their stronghold through strategic alliances and treaties, notably with Britain during the Carnatic Wars.

The modern era of Mudhol under Malojirao IV Ghorpade marked a golden age of reform and development. Born into a lineage of warriors and rulers, Malojirao IV was a visionary who embraced the dual roles of monarch and modernizer. His reign saw significant advancements in education, healthcare, agriculture, and industry, benefiting from the fertile lands of the region. Mudhol's progress under his leadership was characterized by initiatives such as the establishment of free primary education, healthcare facilities, and the promotion of agriculture and industry, laying the groundwork for a prosperous and self-sufficient state.

Raja Bhairavsinhrao's reign, albeit brief, was a period of transition, not just for Mudhol but for princely states across India. His accession to India's newly formed union marked the end of Mudhol’s princely autonomy but also the beginning of its integration into the modern Indian state. His untimely demise in 1984 left the throne vacant, symbolizing the end of an era for the Ghorpade dynasty in Mudhol.

The legacy of the Ghorpades of Mudhol is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Maratha heritage in the Deccan. Their history reflects a confluence of valour, vision, and governance that contributed to the region's socio-political and cultural tapestry. The Mudhol State, through its rulers, not only navigated the challenges of its time but also laid the foundations for future generations to build upon, merging the valour of the past with the vision for a progressive future.

Titulature

Position/Relation

King of Mudhol

Queen of Mudhol

Heir Apparent

Sons of the King

Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King (Marital Naming)

Other Descendants of the King

Consort of a Descendant of the King (Male)

Consort of a Descendant of the King (Female)

Titulature

Raja Shrimant (Given Name) Raje Ghorpade Bahadur, Raja of Mudhol

Shrimant Sakal Soubhagyavati Rani (Given Name) Raje Ghorpade, Rani of Mudhol

Yuvraj Shrimant (Given Name) Raje Sahib Ghorpade, Prince of Mudhol

Rajkumar Shrimant (Given Name) Raje Ghorpade, Prince of Mudhol

Rajkumari Shrimant (Given Name) Raje Ghorpade, Princess of Mudhol

Shrimant Sakal Soubhagyavati (Given Name) Raje (Marital Surname), Princess of Mudhol

Shrimant (Given Name) Raje Ghorpade, Prince of Mudhol

Shrimant (Given Name) Raje (Marital Surname), Prince of Mudhol

Shrimant Sakal Soubhagyavati (Given Name) Raje (Marital Surname), Princess of Mudhol

Genealogy

  • Rana Bhairavji [Bosaji] (Before 1394)
    Granted Jagir of Mudhol, comprising 84 villages, ca. 1394.
    Issue: Rana Devraj Singh, Shri Karan Singh.

  • Rana Devraj Singh (c.1394-c.1420)
    Issue: Rana Ugrasen, Shri Pratap Singh.

  • Rana Ugrasen (c.1420-1453)
    Issue: Rana Karan Singh, Shri Shubha Krishna.

  • Rana Karan Singh (1453-1469)
    Issue: Raja Bhim Singh.

  • Raja Bhim Singh (1469-)
    Granted the title Raja Ghorpade Bahadur.
    Issue: Raja Kheloji Ghorpade.

  • Raja Kheloji Ghorpade (-1514)
    Issue: Raja Maloji Ghorpade I.

  • Raja Maloji Ghorpade I (1514-)
    Issue: Raja Akhaisingh Ghorpade.

  • Raja Akhaisingh Ghorpade
    Issue: Raja Karansingh Ghorpade, Shri Bhimsingh Ghorpade.

  • Raja Karansingh Ghorpade (-1565)
    Died in the Battle of Talikot.
    Issue: Raja Cholaraj Ghorpade.

  • Raja Cholaraj Ghorpade (1565-1578)
    Issue: Raja Piraji Ghorpade, Shri Vallabhasinh Cholaraj Ghorpade, Shri Kanoji Cholaraj Ghorpade.

  • Raja Piraji Ghorpade
    Issue: Raja Prataprao Ghorpade.

  • Raja Prataprao Ghorpade [Nahuji] (-1645)
    Died 1645.
    Issue: Raja Bajiraje Ghorpade.

  • Raja Bajiraje Ghorpade (1645-ca.1666)
    Killed ca. 1666.
    Issue: Shrimant Raja Malojirao Ghorpade I, Shri Shankroji Ghorpade [Jaisingh].

  • Shrimant Raja Malojirao Ghorpade I (ca.1666-1700)
    During his rule, the jagir became an independent state in 1670.
    Issue: Shrimant Raja Akhayajirao Malojirao Ghorpade.

  • Shrimant Raja Akhayajirao Malojirao Ghorpade (1700-1734)
    Governor of Bijapur.
    Issue: Shrimant Raja Pirajirao Akhayajirao Ghorpade, Shri Bajirao Akhayajirao Ghorpade.

  • Shrimant Raja Pirajirao Akhayajirao Ghorpade (1734-)
    Issue: Shrimant Raja Malojirao Pirajirao Ghorpade III.

  • Shrimant Raja Malojirao Pirajirao Ghorpade III (-1805)
    Governor of Bijapur.
    Issue: Shrimant Sahib Govindrao Raje Malojirao Ghorpade, Shrimant Sahib Maharrao Malojirao Ghorpade, Shrimant Sahib Bajirao Malojirao Ghorpade, Shrimant Sahib Ranojirao Malojirao Ghorpade.

  • Shrimant Raja Narayanrao Govindrao Ghorpade (1805-1815)
    Issue: Shrimant Raja Vyankatrao Narayanrao Ghorpade I, Shrimant Sahib Laxmanrao Ghorpade.

  • Shrimant Raja Vyankatrao Narayanrao Ghorpade I (1815-1854)
    Issue: Shrimant Raja Balwantrao Vyankatrao Ghorpade.

  • Shrimant Raja Balwantrao Vyankatrao Ghorpade (1854-1862) *Born 1861, married and had issue.
    Issue: HH Shrimant Raja Meherban Vyankatrao Balwantrao Raje Ghorpade [Bala Saheb].

  • HH Shrimant Raja Meherban Vyankatrao Balwantrao Raje Ghorpade [Bala Saheb] (1862-1900)
    Born 9th April 1861, succeeded 27th March 1862, established a regular system of government.
    Issue: HH Shrimant Raja Meherban Sir Malojirao Vyankatrao Ghorpade IV [Nana Saheb], Rajkumar Laxman Singh Ghorpade

  • HH Shrimant Raja Meherban Sir Malojirao Vyankatrao Ghorpade IV [Nana Saheb] (1900-1937, abdicated)
    Born 1884, served with British Forces in Egypt 1914/1918; married twice, had two sons and one daughter from first marriage, and one son from second marriage.
    Issue: HH Shrimant Raja Bhairavsinhrao Malojirao Ghorpade II.

  • HH Shrimant Raja Bhairavsinhrao Malojirao Ghorpade II (1937-1984)
    Born 15th October 1929, succeeded 9th November 1937.

 

This is a reconciled genealogy consolidating extensive history information from multiple sources including the contributions of both living and deceased descendants, the work of Christopher Buyers, Royalark.net, Indianrajputs.com, municipal birth, death, and marriage records, British and Indian military records, and a variety of other historical documents. The Royal Ghorpade Dynasty Archive is a repository of information and makes no claims to the accuracy of archived information. If you would like to contribute genealogical information, please Contact Us.

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