Akkalkot

Akkalkot is a town in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It lies in the district of Solapur and is the administrative center of the taluka of Akkalkot, a sub-division of that district. The town lies at the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka and at a distance of 38 km from the city of Solapur.

Akkalkot taluka

Akkalkot taluka is bordered by the sister-taluka of south Solapur to the west, and by the state of Karnataka (districts Gulbarga and Bijapur) on all other sides. The taluka covers an area of 1,407 sq.km. and contains 138 villages, apart from the town. The total population of the taluka is approx. 290,000 (census of 2001), making for a population density of 209 to the sq.km. The soil is 'medium to deep black' and of rich quality. Jawar, Bajra and Pulses are the main crops grown in the taluka.

The major languages spoken in the taluka are Marathi and Kannada. Marathi is the language of administration in the taluka; however, Kannada is so widely spoken that major parts of Akkalkot taluka are claimed by Karnataka, based on the Kannada-speaking population of those areas being allegedly in a majority. The ongoing political controversy has had no impact whatsoever on the well-integrated social fabric of the area.

Religious significance

Akkalkot is widely known for its association with Swami Samarth Maharaj, held by some to be a reincarnation of lord Dattatreya. The Swami lived for over two decades at Akkalkot, mainly at the residence of sri Cholappa, where his Samadhi and shrine are also now located. The shrine complex, which also encloses the famous banyan tree beneath which the Swami would preach his message, is the hub of devotions for his followers; free accomodation and meals are provided to pilgrims.

The temple to lord Siddhayappa, near the town of Hannur, is another famous attraction that lies within Akkalkot taluka. Many devotees, especially those belonging to the Lingayat sect, come from far and wide to worship here. Of late, the idol is kept outside and prayers are chanted in Kannada by the priest. Free meals are offered to the devotees.

Princely Akkalkot

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. 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 Chhatrapati Shahu, grandson of Shivaji, around the year 1708. Upon his adoption, Ranoji assumed the name 'Fatehsinh Bhonsle' and received in appenage the town of Akkalkot and surrounding areas. These estates remained a fief within the state of Satara until 1848, when the rulers of Satara (Chhatrapati Shahu's designated successors) were deposed by the British. Akkalkot 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 maratha ruling family in India. The ruling chiefs of Akkalkot 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. The area forms part of the present-day Indian state of Maharashtra, which was created in 1960 based on the principle of shared language.

References

• Vitalstatistics
• Geography and demographics
• Swami Samartha Maharaj of Akkalkot
• Swami Samartha Maharaj of Akkalkot
• Detailed genealogy of the ruling chiefs of Akkalkot
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)