PLACES

KOLHAPUR CITY

Kolhapur City (16° 42' N; 74" 14' E, Ht. 1870 ft.: 25.7 Sq. miles; p. 1,36,835), stands on rising ground on the south bank of the river Pancaganga, bounded on the north by the Pancaganga river, on the east by the boundaries of Ucgaon village, on the south by the boundaries of Kalambe and Pacgaon villages and on the west by the boundaries of Nave palinge, Padali and Singnapur villages and by the Pancaganga river.

Climate and Rainfall.

Except from March to May when it is hot, the climate is temperate and healthy. From March to May hot winds prevail, but the sea breeze which begins in the afternoon makes the evenings cool and pleasant. Often, when the heat becomes very oppressive, there is a shower in the evening which brings down the temperature immediately.

Importance.

Kolhapur derives its importance from its past political associations and its position as a great commercial, religious and educational centre. It was the capital of the former Kolhapur State", a premier state in the Deccan, and was also the seat of the Residency for Deccan States. Its importance as a commercial centre is well known. Kolhapur is a big market for jaggery (Gul) of which the district is a very large producer. This jaggery is supplied to various parts of India and is exported to different countries. As a religious centre, Kolhapur is known as the Dakshin Kashi or the Kashi of the South, the ancient temple of Mahalaksmi being the main attraction. The city has two Arts and Science Colleges, one Law College, one B. T. College and one Commerce College. It has also 20 High Schools. There are numerous cheap hostel facilities. Kolhapur has produced many well-known artists and sculptors and it has also been the birth place of Marathi film industry. It has been a sports centre and has produced many well-known wrestlers, cricketers and sportsmen who have represented India in international contests. Although mainly a residential and commercial town till lately, Kolhapur is now fast becoming an industrial town with emphasis on the engineering industry.

History.

Kolhapur, or as it seems to have been formerly called Karvir, is probably one of the oldest religious and trade centres in western India. In Brahmapuri Hill, near the centre of the present city, have been found Buddhist coins which are believed to belong to the first century before Christ; a small crystal casket which is believed to have enclosed Buddhist relics of about the same age and a shattered model of a brass relic-shrine or daghoba whose shape also belongs to about the first century before Christ. [ Jour, B.B.R.A.S. XIV, 147-154.] The discovery of a Shatakarni inscription probably of the first century after Christ at Banavasi in North Kanara and the known extent of the power of that dynasty in the North Deccan, make it probable that, as suggested by Professor Bhandarkar, Ptolemy's (A.D. 150) Hippokurh rejia Baleokuri refers to Kolhapur, the capital of king Vilvayakura, who from inscriptions is believed to have reigned about A.D. 150.

Recent excavations at Brahmapuri have revealed that " a city of well-built brick houses stood on the banks of the Pancaganga river, when the Satvahana (or Audhra according to the Puranas) Emperor, Gautamiputra Satkarni ruled in the Deccan about A.D. 106-130. The beginnings of this city were probably laid in the preceeding one or two centuries. [H.D. Sankalia and M. G. Dixit:-Excavations at Brahmapuri (Kolhapur) 1945-46.] " Before the temple of Mahalaksmi was built in the 7th or 8th century there appears to have been six centres of habitation or hamlets. These were, (1) Brahmapuri where though the old city had declined, people continued to live, (2) Uttareshwar, which was a suburb of the old Brahmapuri city, (3) Kholkhandoba which also was a suburb of the old Brahmapuri city, (4) Rankala which seems to have been a separate hamlet, (5) Padmala on the banks of Padmala lake and (6) Ravnesvar which was a separate hamlet. These six centres continued their separate existence uptil the building of the Mahalaksmi temple, which became the centre of Kolhapur city. [Kolhapur Nagarpalika-Centenary Souvenir-pp. 174-180,] In former times this great temple was surrounded by a circle of shrines several of which lie buried many feet under ground. Every pool of standing water was sacred and in the city and country round about there are many broken images of Brahman and Jain worship which are supposed to belong to temples destroyed by the Musalmans in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. According to Major Graham [Graham's Kolhapur, 112.] in the eighth or ninth century an earthquake overturned many temples and buildings in Kolhapur. Among the traces of the earthquake are the two underground temples of Khandoba and Kartik Swami, over which houses have since been built In the old temple of Ambabai the wall is of unequal height in different places, and the ground has passed through so many changes that the original level cannot be discovered. In digging the foundations of the high school in 1870, and in making other excavations, at a depth of over fifteen feet, stones slabs covered with strange figures, shrines and old inscriptions were found. In support of his statement that many of these changes are due to the action of an earthquake Major Graham refers [Graham's Kolhapur 317.] to several small mounds or upheavings near the city and to the discovery in 1849 of the bed of the Panchaganga seventy feet above the level of the present bed. In the Karavir or Kolhapur Mahatmya [Though it probably embodies old legends and traditions the Karvir Mahatmya or the Greatness of Kolhapur wag -written as late as 1730,] or account of the greatness of Kolhapur, Kolhapur is mentioned as the Kasi or Benares of the South. According to local tradition, when the Jains were building the temple of Ambabai on Brahmapuri hill a fort was made by a Kshatri Raja Jaysing who held his court at Bid about nine miles west of Kolhapur. In the twelfth century the Kolhapur fort was the scene of a battle between the Kalahhurya or Kalachurya who had conquered the Kalyani Chalukyas and become the ruler of the Deccan, and the Silaharas of Kolhapur, the feudatories of the Chalukyas. Bhoja Raja II (1178-1209) of the Kolhapur Silaharas made Kolhapur his capital but the headquarters of the State were soon after moved to Panhala about twelve miles to the North-west, and remained there till the country passed to the Bahamani Kings. The Bahamani Sultan Allaudin Hasan Bahmon Shah (1347-1359) towards the end of his reign made a conquest of Goa and Dabhol and while returning from this campaign passed through Karad and Kolhapur where he establihed the rule of the muslims. Kolhapur is next mentioned as the place where Mahmudd Gawan (1469) encamped during rainy season in his expedition against Visalgad. [Briggs Ferishta, II., 482-485,] Under the Bijapur Kings, from 1489 till it came under Sivaji about 1659, owing to its nearness to the strong fort of Panhala, a Bijapur Officer was stationed at Kolhapur. Under the Marathas, especially after 1730, when it became independent of Satara, Kolhapur rose in importance. In 1782 the seat of Government was moved from Panhala to Kolhapur. Up to this time Kolhapur's only protection against robbers and enemies was a mud wall. During the feuds between the Patvardhans and the Kolhapur State (1773-1810) which filled the latter years of the eighteenth century, a stone wall thirty feet high and ten to twenty-six feet thick, was built more than 1¼ miles in circumstance. At equal distances the wall had forty-five bastions with battlements and loopholes and outside a deep and wide ditch with a rough glacis. In the wall were six gateways, three of them with stout wooden gates, bristling with long iron spikes to keep off elephants. After the river reservoirs and the wards to which they led, the gates were named the Ganga, Rahkala, Varunitirth, Aditvar, Mangalvar and Sanivar, The entrance to each gate was across a drawbridge. The gates used to be shut at eleven in the evening and opened by four in, the morning. [With four of the six gates some great event is connected. By the Ganga gate which opened on the Panchaganga river, no corpse except one of a member of the royal family was allowed to be carried. By the Aditvar gate, in 1857 the second band of rebels led by Firangu Shinda entered the town, broke into the jail, and set the prisoners free. By the Mangalvar gate, in 1857 the rebels of the 27th Kolhapur Native Infantry tried in vain to enter the city. At the Shanvar gate, which is said to have been built by Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur (1557-1579), a hard battle was fought in 1800 between the Raja of Kolhapur and the Patwardhans under Ramchandra, son of the well known Parshurambhau. In this gate, after a seige of two months a breach was made scaling ladders were appled, and the city was on the point of being taken when an intrigue at the Poona Court suddenly obliged the assailants to leave the city. In 1858 by breaking open the Shanvar gate, Sir LeGrand Jacob entered the city and arrested the rebels under Firangu Shinda, who was shot by the treasury guard of the Kolhapur infantry.] When the town was growing in the eighteenth century, the people built houses without any order wherever sites could be had, and the streets were narrow, often not broad enough for two carts to pass. As the city increased in size weekly markets came to be held outside the walls. Beyond the walls ten subrubs or peths were founded. After the names of the founders or of the presiding god of the place, or of the days on which weekly markets were held, the new suburbs were called Ravivar Somvar, Mangalvar, Budhvar, Sukravar and Sanivar and Uttresvar, Candresvar, Kesapur and Logmapur. In these suburbs the lanes were wide and were planted here and there with trees. In the eighties of the nineteenth century to improve the air and health of the city the walls were pulled down and the ditch filled.

The modern development of Kolhapur can be said to have started when the British obtained political suzerainty in 1844 and built the Residency during 1845-48. The New Palace was built near the Residency in 1877. The chiefs and jagirdars also began building their mansions in this area. Then came the railway in 1891-92. The site for the station was selected beyond the Jayantinala, about 2 miles from the city. The station exerted a considerable pull on the city and development of the city towards the station started. The Sahupuri colony was started near the station in 1895 and was completed in 1920. Then came the Laxmipuri colony in 1926-27 between Shahupuri and the city. In 1929, the Rajarampuri Colony was started. In 1933, the area between the railway line and Rajarampuri was developed and was called the Sykes Extension. In the city, fields and vacant sites came to be developed as population increased. From 1884, efforts were made to fill up the numerous lakes and tanks in the city. The Kapiltirth was first filled up and a vegetable market was established on the site. Indrakund was also filled up. The Mahar talao Kumbhar talao, Umak, Petala, Maskuti, and Ravneswar, were gradually filled up. Khasbag, Sakoli, Varunitirth, Ravanesvar, Belbag, Udyam-nagar and Maskuti talao areas came to be developed into residential areas all of which except Khasbag and Sakoli are very recent development, i.e., of 1944-45 onwards.

Wards.

Kolhapur City is divided into five wards. The area comprised in each ward is as follows: -

The number of properties and their annual letting value is as follows: -

Area and Population.

In 1957 the total limits of the Kolhapur Municipal Borough covered 25.7 square miles. The total population according to the 1951 census was 1,36,835 of which 71,360 were males and 65,475 females. According to their livelihood the population was distributed as follows: -

The distribution of the population according to the languages spoken [Mother tongue.] was as follows:-

Marathi-1,16,702; Kannada-3,687; Urdu-11,773; Gujarati- 1,890; Telugu-1,011; Sindhi-150; Hindi-494; Rajasthani--49.1; Konkani-103; Tamil-301; Hindustani-3; Kacchi-70; Portuguese-7; Tulu-24; Malayalam-39; Punjabi-13; English-35; Naipali-13; Bengali-16; Pashto-5; Chinese-6; Persian-1; Oriya-1.

The population of the Kolhapur Municipal area is distributed as follows according to the religious they profess; Hindus- 1,18,223; Muslims-12,232; Jains-4,809; Christians-1,538; Zoroastrians-15; Buddhists-14; Sikhs-4.

KOLHAPUR CITY. Municipal Borough.

 History.

The civic affairs of Kolhapur City are managed by the Kolhapur Municipal Borough. The beginnings of municipal administration can be traced back to 1830 when the Chatrapati ordered the setting up of an organisation to sweep the roads and to recover the cost by the levy of a tax on houses. In 1850, the Government of India decided to establish municipalities in various towns, and the Resident of Kolhapur formed in 1854 a Municipal Committee for Kolhapur consisting of six members- two officials and four non-officials. A grant of Rs. 3,000 was made for its expenditure. In 1869, instead of the Government grant, certain items of income viz., octroi, pankhoti, tobacco tax, fish makta, snuff makta, bhang and opium makta, lease of space in the moat were handed over to the municipality with a view to increasing its income. In 1871, the number of members of the committee was increased to 30. A house-tax was levied in 1873. The Assistant Political Agent was made the President of the municipality and its General Body met every quarter. The actual work was supposed to be done by the Managing Committee but as it was found that the committee was not working satisfactorily, all powers were vested in the President in 1875. From 1881, however, the General Body was being called and quarterly accounts were presented to it. In 1884, there was a move in Bombay Province to have Local Self-Government. This had repercussions in Kolhapur also and in 1886 a committee was appointed to reconstitute the Municipality.

In 1889, the Kolhapur Municipal Rules were framed. According to these Rules, the municipality was to consist of ex-officio members and members appointed by Government, the number of appointed members being at least double that of ex-officio members. From 1904 to 1920, the municipality was suspended due to unsatisfactory working and all powers were vested in the Administrator. In 1920, the municipality was reconstituted with 47 constituencies and caste-wise electorates and it came into office in 1921. Matters, however, did not improve and in 1924, it was again dissolved. In 1925, the Kolhapur State Municipal Act, 1925, modelled on the lines of the Bombay District Municipal Act, 1901, was enacted. The municipality was to have 40 members of whom 20 were appointed by Government and 20 were elected. The first body under this Act was formed in 1926. In 1944, the Kolhapur Municipal Boroughs Act, 1944, was prepared on the lines of the Bombay Municipal Boroughs Act, 1925, and it was applied to the Kolhapur municipality in the same year. The municipality continued under this Act until the merger of the Kolhapur State with Bombay in 1949.

Growth of Municipal Area.

The area of the municipality has increased considerably since its formation. In 1844, it is said to have exceeded four and half square miles and in 1874 it is mentioned as 1,132 acres 29 gunthas. Additions were made to the area from time to time and in 1957 it measured 25.7 square miles.

Constitution.

The Kolhapur municipality has been constituted under the Bombay Municipal Boroughs Act, 1925 as amended from time to time. All the councillors are elected on adult franchise and the total number of seats is 44, of which 37 are general, three are reserved for Scheduled Castes and four for women. The city is divided into 12 constituencies. The distribution of seats according to wards is as follows:-

continued

The term of office of the councillors is four years, which may, however, be extended by the State Government for a term not exceeding in the aggregate five years. The President and the Vice-President are elected for such period as may be determined by the General Body. The main function of the President is to convene meetings of the General Body and to preside over them. He has also to watch the financial and executive administration of the municipality and to exercise supervision and control over the municipal staff. The Vice-President is to discharge the functions of the President in his absence.

The municipal authorities charged with the carrying out of the provisions of the Municipal Boroughs Act are: -

(1) General Body, (2) Chief Officer, (3) Standing Committee.

The Chief Officer is the head of the executive administration and exercises all executive powers under the Act subject in certain cases to the approval or sanction of the Standing Committee or the General Body. In addition to the Chief Officer, the municipality can appoint an Engineer and a Health Officer. None of these three officers can be removed from office, reduced or suspended except by the assent of at least two-thirds of the whole number of councillors and none of these officers is punishable with fine.

The following are the principal departments of the Kolhapur municipality with the designations of their heads:-

The Standing Committee is to consist of not more than 12 councillors and not less than six. The committee is elected every year by the General Body.

Powers and functions of the Municipality.

Under the Bombay Municipal Boroughs Act, the Kolhapur municipality has the power to levy taxes with the sanction of Government. It has also the power to recover these taxes by coercive measures, if necessary. It has power to raise loans with the sanction of Government. It can create posts when the additional burden on the municipal funds does not exceed Rs. 100 per mensem. For posts where the burden exceeds this amount the sanction of the Divisional Officer is necessary. The functions of the municipality are divided into two categories:- Obligatory and Discretionary. Obligatory functions include maintenance of streets, gutters, provision of street lights, arrangements for sweeping and cleaning, provision of fire-fighting, disposal of dead bodies, provision of medical relief, public vaccination and so on. Discretional functions include providing public parks, and gardens, running transport, provision of electricity, provision of dwelling houses for the staff and for poor people and so on. Some municipalities are authorised under the Primary Education Act to run primary schools. The Kolhapur Municipal Borough is so authorised and it has a Municipal School Board which runs primary schools in the city.

Receipts and Expenditure.

The following schedule shows the income of the Kolhapur Municipal Borough during the year 1956-57:-

The following schedule shows the expenditure of the Kolhapur municipality during 1956-57:-

The incidence of taxation amounted to Rs. 18.57 per head per year and the incidence of total income of the municipality per head per year was Rs. 24.27 during 1956-57.

The following were the rates for the House tax, Education Cess and General and Special Sanitary Cess: -

House tax.-8 per cent. of the net annual rental value of the property.

Education cess.-3 per cent. of the gross annual rental value of the property.

General Sanitary cess.-This cess is levied on houses where there is no space for building a latrine. The rates are based on house-tax as follows:-

Special Sanitary Cess.-Rs. 15 per seat per year.

Roads.

Roads emanate from Kolhapur to Ratnagiri, Phonda, Gagan Bavda and Gargotl. The Poona-Bangalore National Highway (NH 4) passes through the eastern tip of the municipal area and Kolhapur is an important halt thereon. The total length of roads including lanes, in the present Kolhapur municipal limits is 102 miles. Of this 37.3 miles were asphalted by the end of 1956-57. Most of the streets are lighted by electric lights and important squares are lighted with mercury vapour lamps.

The road system of Kolhapur is such that the main roads do not converge at a central point. There is a network of roads joining different localities. There are four roads leading into the city proper from the Poona-Bangalore National Highway. One rdad (the Sahu Road or Station Road) starts from Kavlenaka leading straight into the city from Poona. This road passes along the railway station and Venus corner and goes straight to the statue of Sahu Maharaj and further on crosses Bhausingji Road near the Power House and then goes on to Sivaji bridge on Pancaganga River. The Sivaji Road branches off from the Sahu Road at Venus corner and goes along Wilson Bridge to the Statue of Aisaheb Maharaj, then turns to the left and goes to Bindu Cauk, again turns right and goes to Sivaji Cauk then, goes straight to Papaci Tikti, passes through Gangaves goes to Rankalaves where it turns right and then proceeds to Rankala Tower and then goes on to Phulevadi. From Phulevadi it leaves the municipal limits to proceed towards Gagan Bavda. This is the most important road in the city as it goes right through the city. It is lined with shops up to Rankalaves.

The second main road starts from the Poona-Bangalore National Highway near the level-crossing and goes along the Northern boundary of Rajarampuri, passes through Bagal Cauk, crosses Subhasa Road near Sandhya Talkies, goes through Bindu Cauk and joins Bhausingji Road, near old Palace. This road is named Rajaram Road. The third road in the city starts from the Poona Bangalore National Hhighway near the southern end of the city, passes along the southern boundary of Rajarampuri and joins the Subhasa road near Sathmari. A portion of this road is known as the Old Kagal Road and a portion as Sathmari road. This road is not in general use. The fourth road into the city from the Poona-Bangalore National Highway is the Bhaskarrao Jadhav road starting from Kavle naka and passing through Jamkhindikar Tikti (square) to join the Bavda road near the New Palace.

Inside the city there are important roads going from north to south. The Subhasa road starts from the Sahu road a little below the statue of Sahu Maharaj and passes through Laxmipuri, Sandhya Talkies square and goes up to the Yellama dip. Up to Sandhya Talkies this road is lined with shops, many of which deal in automobile spare parts. The Karmavir Bhaurao Patil road is almost parallel to Subhasa Road. It starts from a little beyond the statue of Sahu Maharaj and goes along the square of the statue of Sahu Maharaj where it joins the Sivaji road which comes from the station and proceeds to Bindu cauk. The square of the statue of Aisaheb Maharaja is an important shopping centre and has five cinema theatres located within a short distance of one another. Another important north-south road is the Bhausingji road. It starts from the old Palace and passes through Sivaji Cauk and goes to the civil hospital and the Power House and from these goes on to Bavda and the sugar mills. From the Power House onwards it is also known as the Bavda Road. It is an important shopping centre up to the Distrioc Local Board Office and many chemists's shops are situated on it. Another important road running parallel to the Bhausingji road is the Mahadwar road. It starts from Papaci Tikti (Papa's square) and goes along the main gate Mahadwar of the Mahalaxmi temple, passes the Binkhambi temple of Ganapati and goes towards Panyaca Khajina (water reservoir). The portion beyond the Ganapati temple is also known as New Mahadwar road. The Mahadwar road is an important shopping centre and shops of all kinds line this road.

The other important roads are as follows:-one starts from Papaci Tikti, goes along the southern wing of the municipal office, crosses Bausingji road and goes on to join the Sivaji Road. Betel leaf shops tobacco and snuff shops and the general mutton market are on this road. The road is called Dasram road.

Another important road is the Tarabai road starting from Mahadwar (main gate of Mahalaxmi temple) and going towards Rajghat on the Rankala tank. Sripatrao Sinde road starts from the Binkhambi Ganapati temple (Joshirao's Ganapati) and goes to Ubha Maruti through Varuntirtha and further goes on to Sandhyamath in Rankala tank. The Rankala road starts from Rajghat and goes along the Rarikala tank to Waslnaka and thence towards Radhanagari. Many people go along this road for an evening walk. The Pahilwan Hujare road starts from Wasinaka and goes to Panyacha khajina (old water reservoir) there joining the road going out to Gargoti. The Deval road starts from Bindu Cauk and goes to Khasbag via statue of Alladiya Khan. The Natasamrat Kesavrao Bhonsale road starts from the statue of Alladiya Khan and goes to the temple of Ganapati (Josirao's Ganapati) passing through Subhas Cauk (Mirajkar Tikti). The Vastad Bajaparao Mane road starts near Subhas Cauk and goes to Panyaca Khajina (old water reservoir) and thence becomes Kalamba road, to go towards Gargoti. Daulu Master road starts from Subhas Cauk and goes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Varunatirth. In Laxmipuri, there is one road running parallel to Subhas road. This road called the Raosaheb Mali road, starts opposite Malabar bakery on the Sivaji road and goes to Rawiwar Gate. Three roads running east-west cut this road and join Subhas road. Master Vinayak road starts from Sahu Talkies, the Comrade Dange road starts from Padma Talkies and the Karmavir Vitthal Ramji Sinde road starts from the Satyanarayan Talim road. All these join the Subhas road. There is a wholesale grain market on the Comrade Dange road and these three roads and the Raosaheb Mali road are the venue for the weekly bazar. The Gujari road starts from Bhausngji road and goes on to join the Mahadwar road. This road is lined with Jeweller's shops. The Mahatma Phule road starts from Gahgawes and goes to Sivaji Pool.

In Sahupuri there are seven main roads running parallel to the Sahu road and starting from the Sivaji road. The 'Gur' market is situated in Sahupuri and first main road is known as Vyapara Peth and the other main roads are numbered one to six.

In Rajarampuri, there are four main roads running north-south and thirteen cross lanes running east-west.

In Tarabai Park there is a road leading from the Mandai corner on Sahu road to Jamkhindikar Tikti via Kiran Bungalow This road is named Major General Thorat road. Another road goes from Jamkhindikar Tikti to the Collector's office and then goes on to join the Bavada road. To the North this road goes to Line Bazar.

Bridges.

There are two bridges across the Pancaganga river and five bridges across the Jayanti Nala. There are also two causeways across the Jayanti Nala. There is one bridge across Gomati Nala. The two bridges across Pancaganga river are the Sivaji Pool which takes one to the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri Road, and the Pancaganga bridge which takes to the Poona-Bangalore National Highway across the river. Sivaji Pool is a stone masonry structure with five arches. It is 411 feet long, and its height is 69 feet above the bed of the river. It was built between 1874 and 1878. The Pancaganga bridge is a steel structure of the girder deck type with seven pillars. It is 5-10 feet long, its height above the bed of the river is 40 feet.

Of the five bridges across the Jayanti nala, one takes the Bavada road (Bhausingji) across the nala; another known as Juna Pool or old bridge, takes the Sahu road across the nala; the Wilson bridge takes the Sivaji road across the nala; the Ravivar Pool takes Rajaram road across the nala and the new bridge near the proposed Hutatma Park takes the Sathamari road across the nala.

The first bridge is a stone masonry structure with three arches. It is 91 feet long and 31 feet high. It has slightly ornamental parapets. It was built in 1876. The Juna Pool or Sahu bridge is an arched bridge with cantiliver girders for footpaths. It is 127 feet in length and its height is 21 feet from the bed of the nala. It was built in 1875. The Wilson bridge is a stone masonry structure with three arches. It is 87 feet in length and its height is 21 feet from the bed of the nala. It was built in 1927 at a cost of Rs. 70,000. The Ravivar Pool is also a stone masonry structure with three arches. It is 103 feet long and its height above the bed of the nala is 24 feet. It was built in 1879. The bridge near the proposed Hutatma Park is a R.C.C. deck type bridge with three arches. It is 76 feet long and its height from the bed of the nala is 15.5 feet. It was built in 1953. The bridge across the Gomati Nala is near this bridge on the same road. It is also a R. C C. deck type bridge with two arches built in 1953. Its length is 44 feet and height 13.5 feet.

Water supply.

Kolhapur city gets its water from two sources-Kalamba tank and the Bhogavti river. The Kalamba tank is about three miles from the city. It is formed by building a bund between two ridges and impounding the water of the Katyayani valley. The bund was built between 1881-83 and its height was increased in 1894.

The water was taken through an aqueduct to a reservoir just outside Mahgalwar Peth and from there distributed to the city. The water was not filtered or treated till 1946, when a filter house was built on rising ground beyond the old race course of Padmala. The use of Katyayani water in the city dates back to 1792 when a rich resident of Poona named Baburao Kesav Thakur or Khatro was persuaded to bring water from Katyayani to supply Mahalaxmi's temple, and in time the water began to be used by all in the city. The water of the Kalamba tank is pure and wholesome and is filtered and chlorinated.

Kalamba water is available only to a portion of the city. To meet the growing needs of the city it was necessary to find other sources of water supply. The Pancaganga river was the nearest source available. When the new extensions of Sahupuri and Rajarampuri were laid down, it was necessary to supply water to them. A pumping station was, therefore, established near Bapat camp and the water was taken to the Vikramsinh Reservoir on the Temblai hill between 1927 and 1930. The water was supplied to Sahupuri, Tarabai Park area, new Palace, Residency etc. In course of time, this source was found to be inadequate and also liable to contamination from the sewers of the city. Between 1941 and 1947, therefore, a scheme to improve the water supply of the city was undertaken. According to this scheme the aqueduct of the Kalamba tank was improved to prevent loss through seepage and a filter house to purify the water was established. The pumping station near Bapat camp was stopped and instead a new pumping station near Balinge, a village about three and a half miles from Kolhapur, was established on the Bhogavati river and this water was taken to a reservoir on the Cambukhadi hillock and from there was distributed to the city. A filter house was also established at Balihge. The whole scheme cost about Rs. 30 lakhs and was planned to meet the needs of a population of two and a half lakhs. With the completion of the Radhanagari dam, there is sufficient water in the Bhogavati river throughout the year and the water supply is adequate to meet the growing needs of the city.

The water works are maintained by Government. Distribution is also done by Government. Water is supplied through private connections and through municipal public stand-posts. Water is generally available for all the 24 hours for private connections.

Formerly, the water of Rahkala tank was supplied through taps and was otherwise used for drinking and other purposes. In 1883, a new-cut-stone dam higher and stronger than the old dam was built on the city side. New pipes were laid and water was distributed by stand-cocks eighty or ninety feet apart. The use of Rankala water for bathing or washing was forbidden. [Old Distrjct Gazetteer.] The use of Rankala water was however, discontinued later on and at present it is mainly used for irrigation. Dhobis use the tank for washing clothes and residents of the neighbourhood use it for bathing and washing. In addition to Rahkala there were formerly nine other tanks or lakes the water of which was used for washing and bathing. [Old Distrjct Gazetteer.] All these lakes, except the Kotitirth are now filled up and converted into residential and other places. The Kotitirth is, however, still used for bathing and washing.

In Rajarampuri, there was no piped water supply till 1954. Bore wells were being used for suplying water till then. The water of these bore wells was slightly brackish. With the laying of pipes in this area, the bore wells have gone out of use.

In the newly included hamlets of Kadamwadi, Bhosalewadi and Temblaiwadi there is still no piped water supply. Well water is used in these places. There is also a small lake. at Kadamwadi. In Bavda there is piped water supply. In addition there is one lake, the water of which is used for washing and bathing.

Drainage.

There is no underground drainage in the city and drainage is mainly by surface drains. The drains are let into the Jayanti nala and the Pancaganga river. Drainage of A and D wards is mainly let into Pancaganga river. At some places, it is also used by agriculturists for manuring their fields. Drainage of Sahupuri, Rajarampuri, Laxmipuri, Khasbag, C Ward and B Ward is mainly let into Jayanti nala.

There is a proposal to have underground drainage for the city and plans and estimates for the same are being prepared (1956).

Gardens.

There are two gardens maintained by Government and five maintained by the municipality. The two Government gardens are the Town Hall garden and the garden behind the Jain hostel. The Town Hall garden was constructed in 1870 and has to-day many old trees and some special varieties of plants. There is a glass house and a band stand. In the garden is siutated the attractive Town Hall building which now houses a Museum. There is a beautiful fountain and a marble bust of Sivaji There is a small barrack like structure which houses the office of the Garden Superintendent. There is a temple of Mahadeva at the southern end. The civil courts are also situated within this area but are near the road and do not obstruct the beauty of the garden. The garden is a real beauty spot and is perhaps the coolest spot in Kolhapur on account of the shade of many old trees.

The other Government garden is on the same road about two furlongs to the north. It has a beautiful equestrain statue of Prince Sivaji. There are many flower-trees and seasonal flower-plants.

Of the five municipal gardens, the Padmaraje park is near the Rahkala tank. It has well-trimmed hedges and flower-beds. There is a section for children where swings, sea-saws, and other equipment are provided. There is a band-stand at one end. A radio is also installed in the garden. In the centre of the garden there is a bronze bust of Rehman, a well-known painter of Kolhapur. This garden is a favourite place for evening strolls.

The Sahu Udyan is near the Gangawes. This garden also has good hedges and flower-beds and a children's section. In the centre of this garden, there is a bust of Sahu Chatrapati.

The Rajaram hall garden is in Rajarampuri. It has good rose beds and lawns. It is a favourite place for evening strolls. A radio is also installed and music is given in the evening. There is a bronze bust of Govindrao Tembe, a noted musician of Kolhapur.

The Tarabai Garden is situated in the Tarabai Park area. It has good flower beds, and a separate section for children.

The fifth garden is in the Line Bazar near the Maruti temple.

Markets.

There are four vegetable and fruit markets in the city and one main mutton and fish market. In addition there are 16 small mutton stalls distributed in different parts of the city. There is one main milk-stand where buffaloes are brought and milked in the presence of the customers. In addition there are three or four smaller milk-stands in other parts of the city. There is also one grain market. The annual income of The markets is about Rs. 1,30,000. The main vegetable and fruit markets is the Sivaji Market (Old Ferries Market) near Sivaji Cauk. There are many fruit stalls and wholesale business is also transacted here. There are some vegetable stalls and a few stalls for sale of coli pieces (colkhan). During mango season, the market is full of mangoes coming in cases and baskets from Ratnagiri district. The market has 163 built stalls and there is a separate shed for wholsale business. This market was opened in 1906.

The second important market is the Kapiltirth market. It is mainly a vegetable market, both wholesale and retail. Butter, ghee and curds are sold here in a special shed. Grains are also sold here. The whole market is an open paved area except for the shed where butter, ghee and curds are sold. About 600 vendors come here daily. There is a well in this area and its water is used for cleaning the market. The other two vegetable and fruit markets are near Sukravar Peth dharmasala and in Rajarampuri. The latter named Bagal Market is not very popular and there are hardly any vendor in it. There is a market called Gandhi Market in the Municipal office building itself. These shops are mainly grain and grocery shops. A number of vegetable vendors also sit in cauk, behind the building, and on the Bazargate Road for want of accommodation in the Sivaji market.

The main or general mutton and fish market is situated about a furlong from the municipal office on the Dasram Road. It contains a slaughter house for sheep and 35 stalls for selling mutton. On the other side, there are 13 stalls for dried fish and also for fresh fish. Some fish vendors sit on the open paved space outside the stalls. Sea fish comes daily in the evening from Deogad and Malvan. Local river fish is also available in plenty. In addition to this market, there is a slaughter house and stalls for sale of beef in the Sadar Bazar.

The milk-stand or Katta is at Gangaves. It is a practice in Kolhapur to buy milk by getting the buffalo milked in one's presence. About 300 buffaloes are brought every morning and evening to the Gangaves milk-stand. The stand area is paved and provided with rings for tethering the buffaloes.

The grain market is situated in Laxmipun. Wholesale and retail business is carried on here. It consists of a number of tin sheds, belonging to the municipality. In addition, there are shops in private buildings along this road. All these together constitute the grain market. The municipality proposes to pull down the tin sheds and construct an enclosed grain market.

There is a separate grass market and a separate market for bamboos. The former is situated near Uttaresvar while the latter is situated beyond the Panyaca Khajina (old water reservoir) near the aqueduct. The bamboo market is held on Sundays while the grass market is held daily. Near the bamboo market is a cattle market where cattle are bought and sold in large numbers every Sunday. The cattle market is a well-planned area of about two acres with plenty of trees for share and tin shed for buyers and sellers. A water trough for cattle is also provided. Every Sunday 400 to 500 cattle are brought for sale of which 200 to 250 are sold.

In addition to the daily markets, a weekly bazar is held on every Sunday, where all articles of daily need are available. Villagers of nearby villages come to this bazar for their weekly purchases. The local people buy their requirements of onions, chillies, etc., during the season when these commodities come to the market in large quantities and prices are low. The weekly bazar is held on the Raosaheb Mali Road, on Master Vinayak Road and on Comrade Dange Road.

Gur Market Yard.

Kolhapur district has been producing sugarcane and jaegery (gul) since long. In 1854, Graham in his report mentions that Kolhapur State produced annually 1,296 Khandis of ' Gur' valued at Rs. 1,20,539. This gul used to be sent to Rajapur for sale as there was no market at Kolhapur. Afterwards, when a market was established at Sangli, Kolhapur gul was sent there. In 1895, Sahu Chatrapati ordered the establishment of a market near the station. Traders were given free plots and other concessions and were persuaded to start a market in Sahupuri. The market seems to have started in 1902 and made rapid progress thereafter. During 1955-56 gul worth Rs. 3.60 crores was sold in it. It has also given a great filip to the cultivation of sugarcane in the district. In 1954-55, the acreage under sugarcane in the district was 44,419 acres. In addition to jaggery, groundnut is also soid in the market. During 1955-56 groundnut worth about Rs. 44.5 lacs was sold. Jaggery is sold by brokers on behalf of agriculturists and is bought by traders who export it to Bombay, Gujarat, Karnatak and other parts of India. It is also exported to Africa, Malaya and other countries. The following are the number of brokers and traders:-

The market is situated in the Vyaparpeth of Sahupuri and also on the Sahu Road, and the cross lanes of Sahupuri. The godown facilities are, however, woefully inadequate and during the season, a lot of jaggery is stored on the road in the open until it is exported by truck or rail. There is now a proposal to shift the market yard outside the city proper and a site measuring about 120 acres has already been acquired for the purpose on the Poona-Bangalore Road and the work of developing it is going on (1957). The shifting of the market yard outside the city will also reduce the traffic congestion in the city where at present the roads are full of bullock-carts bringing jaggery from the villages.

In order to control this market and prevent malpractices, an Agricultural Produce Market Committee was appointed by the Kolhapur Government in 1945 and the Agricultural Produce Markets Act was applied. The Committee controls the activities of brokers, traders, weighmen and shop assistants by licensing them; it fixes the races of brokerage and weighing and regulates sales by enforcing sale by public auction. The Committee consists of 15 persons of whom seven represent agriculturists, three represent traders, and brokers, one represents co-operative societies, one represents the municipality and three are nominated by Government, one of whom is the Marketing Inspector and other is the Mamlatdar of the Taluka. The last two are ex-officio members. Every year the committee elects two of its members to work as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The Committee is elected every three years.

Fire Service.

The Municipal Fire Brigade is controlled by the Fire Brigade Superintendent. There are two fire stations, one in the municipal office building and the other in the Subhasa Store of the municipality on the Subhasa Road. There are two new fire engines bought recently and one old fire engine. They are of the storage type and not tenders as there are no hydrants. However, the work of fixing hydrants in some localities has been started. Under the Fire Brigade Superintendent, there is a total staff of six motor drivers and 19 firemen.

There have not been many big fires in recent years in the Municipal limits. The following major fires have occurred in recent years:-

The fire brigade sometimes goes out of city limits on request. The following major fires were handled by the fire brigade recently outside municipal limits:-

There are eight places in the city for the disposal of dead Disposal of dead bodies. Of these two are cremation grounds for Hindus, of which bodies. one is owned and managed by the municipality. The remaining are burial grounds, one for Mohamedans, three for Christians and two for Hindus and other communities. Of these, two are private and are managed by trustees belonging to the different communities concerned.

Kolhapur as a military centre.

Kolhapur has been a military centre since old days. The Chatrapati had his own armv before the British came. The British maintained their infantry and it was quartered at Infantry Lines near Line Bazar, but when the British units withdrew and the Maharaja was allowed to have his own army, the Raiaram Rifles were formed. They were Quartered in barracks specially built on a hillock near the Terhblai Hill. This continued to be the head quarters of the Raiaram Rifles until the merger of the Kolhapur State when this infantry was disbanded. Now a Territorial Army Artillery unit is stationed at Kolhapur and it uses the barracks built for the Rajaram Rifles.

Objects of Interest.

Ambabai Temple.

Of all the objects of interest in Kolhapur the Ambabai or Mahalaxmi temple is the most important. It was the centre of the old town and the city derives its appellation of 'Daksin Kasi' mainly from this temple. The construction of the temple is said to have been started in the 9th Century A. D in the Rastrakuta Period. [H. D. Sankalia and M. G. Dixit; Excavations at Brahmapuri (Kolhapur) 1945.] Some people believe that the oldest part of the present shrine may have been the work of the early Chalukyas (550 A.D. to 660 A.D.) which the Silahara rulers of Kolhapur (9th Century A.D. and onwards) added to and embellished considerably.

The main portion of the building is of two storeys and is built of black stone brought from local quarries. The spire and domes of this temple are said to have been added by a Sankaracarya of Sankesvar; the Jains declare that the temple was a Jain temple dedicated to Padmavati and that the spire and domes are Brahmanic additions. The architecture of the building seems to support that claim. The spire and domes do not harmonise with the carved work below, which strongly resembles the style of the twelfth century in the Jain temples in the Mysore State. The image of the god Ganapati which ought to be carved on the lintel of every Brahmanic temple is absent and the wall and domes are full of seated cross-legged figures, many of them naked. These details, it is argued, prove that this was originally a Jain temple. According to Major Graham, during some Musalman persecutions in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the image of Ambabai was hid in a private dwelling and in about 1722 A.D. was installed in the present temple by Sambhaji Maharaj (1712-1760) who for this purpose sent Sidhoji Hindurao Ghorpade from Panhala to Kolhapur [An extent sanad or deed by Sambhaji assigning grants for the expense of the temple, states that though under the Bijapur Government (1489-1686) there existed many votaries well able to replace the image, Sambhaji Raja has alone the merit of re-establishing it in its ancient temple. Bombay Govt. Se. New Series VIII, 317.] The temple is in the form of a cross and is built with the mortarless close-fitting large blocks of stone known in the Deccan as the Hemadpanti style. It faces west on which side is the main entrance with the nagarkhana or drum chamber on the top. Besides the main entrance to the west, three small gates open out on the north, east and south. The northern gate (Ghati Darvaja) has a large bell, which is rung five times a day, at four in the morning, at noon, at one in the afternoon, at eight in the evening and nine at night. The body of the temple is built of local black trap without the help of any timber Except a few doors it has no openings for air. Under the big dome on the east is installed the image of Ambabai; and on the north and south sides two smaller domes enclose images of Mahakali and Mahasarasvati. The image is about four feet high and it stands on a stoned platform about three feet high. The main building as it stands at present, consists of an entrance mandap (proves mandap) now styled as Garud mandap, in which during the Navratra celebrations in Aivin (September-October) a silver image of the goddess is installed for worship on the raised stone platform therein. As one enters the old main building one sees the Mukha (face) mandap on either side of which there are niches containing beautiful images, the chief of them being the duplicates of the so-called Bharata and Satrughna images, though in reality in spite of all their charms they are only Jain Dwarpalas (gate-keepers). This mandap leads on to the Manx (Bell) mandap, at the end walls of which are two very beautiful Dwarpals (gate-keepers) called Jay and Vijaya cast in heroic mould and standing over 10 feet in height. This Bell mandap leads into the Mula-sthan or the Sanctum Sanctorum wherein is the image of Mahalaxmi or Ambabai. Inside the big dome round the image of Ambabai is a closed dark passage with no opening of any sort and with lights burning day and night to anable the worshippers to go round the image. There is an upper storey to the main temple and here there is a linga exactly above the image of Ambabai. On the outside of the main temple are beautiful carvings. At regular intervals there are niches and in each niche there is a beautifully carved figure in polished black stone. The figures are of musicians and danseuses (dancing apsaras) known as Yoginis. The cost of the building must have been immense. The upper works added by Sankaracarya are said to have cost about Rs. 1 lakh. The big hall or Garud (Sabha) mandap in front was added during the administration of Daji Pandit between 1838 and 1843. The main temple is surrounded by a number of other shrines including shrines of Dattatraya, Vithoba, Kasi-Visvesvar, Ram and Radha-Krsna. The open space round the temple is paved with stone-slabs. On either side of the Sabha Mandap there was a Kund or a small tank with a fountain, where the devotees could perform ablutions. The Kund on the southern side has since been filled in. The temple has four inscriptions carved in Devnagari characters. One on the outer wall of the temple of Hariharesvar behind Datta Mandir, dated Saka 1140 (A.D. 1218) a second on a pillar on the left hand after entering the courtyard dated Saka 1158 (A.D. 1236), a third on a pillar of the small temple of the Navgrah to the left of the main building and a fourth in the temple of Sesasayi behind the main temple on the left hand when entering from the eastern gate. The temple of Ambabai is visited by large number of pilgrims many of whom come from long distances. Besides contributions from pilgrims which yearly amount to about Rs. 5,000, the temple receives a yearly cash allowance of Rs. 6,000 and has three inam villages in Karvir Taluka. It is served by twenty pujaris or ministrants. Every Friday night the image of Ambabai is paraded in a litter round the temple and a salute is fired. Ambabai has three great days in the year. On the full-moon in Caitra or March-April a brass image of the goddess is carried in procession through the town in a triumphal car. On the bright 5th of Asvin or September-October the image is carried in a litter in procession to the small temple of Temblai about three miles east to the city where the unmarried daughter of the headman of Bavada makes the deity the customary offering the Kohala or pumpkin. On the full-moon-day in Asvin or September-October the dome and roof are covered with lamps, and mahaprasad is offered to the deity. Once in Kartik and once in Magh, every year there is a peculiar phenomenon. The sun rays pass through the Mahadvar, pass through the mandaps and entering the inner temple fall on the image of Mahalaxmi. The rays first fall on the feet and gradually move upwards. The phenomenon lasts for about five minutes. Special prayers are offered on the occasion and many devotees flocK to the temple to see the phenomenon. The exact time is determined by the pujaris with the help of the almanack. The phenomenon arises from the peculiar construction of the temple which enables the sun rays to fall on the deity only on two days in a year.

Of the temples within the Ambabal temple area two are of particular interest from the point of view of art and antiquity. One is the temple of Sesasayi and the other of Navagraha. The Sesasayi temple is to the south of the eastern gate. The shrine contains a sculpture of Visnu reclining on his primeval serpent couch. There is also a linga in the shrine. In front of the shrine there is a beautiful mandap, the inner dome of whose ceiling is carved in a most exquisite fashion rivalling in its delicacy the carving inside the ceiling of Vimala Sabhd at Mount Abu. Below the carved ceiling are standing figures of naked Jain Tirthankars with inscriptions carved along in an old form of Kannada language (Hale Kanada). This mandap appears to have been the work of a pious Jam king.

The other temple of interest is the temple of Navagraha. This temple has a beautiful mandap in front called the Astadikpal or Navagrah Mandap on account of the nine panels that adorn the inner face of its ceiling. The mandap is an exquisite work of ancient Indian sculpturesque architecture and contains also a fine freize of swans. At the ends of this mandap are exquisite types of Indian womanhood whom religion has sanctified as Apsaras. The inner shrine on the right contains a figure of Durga slaying the Buffalo Demon (Mahisasura Mardini) and also another fine group depicting the solar deity being borne aloft on his seven horsed, single wheeled chariot (Hatha). The shrine on the left contains figures of the nine grahas installed in 1941.

In addition to these two subsidiary shrines the., temple also contains other smaller places of worship. Of these, the most important are the small temples of Dattatraya, Hari-Haresvar, Muktesvari, Vithoba, Kasivisvesvar, Rama and Radhakrsna.

There were on the northern side of the temple two tirthas or pools of holy water known as the Kasi and the Mankarnika whose sides were lined with images and hero stones. These pools have now been filled up and the images and stones have been removed to the Museum or to other places.

The Ambabal temple and its property were formerly managed by the Devasthan Mandal of the District Local Board. In 1950, the management was handed over to one person who claimed to be the vahivatdar of the deity. Subsequently in 1955, the management was taken over by Government and since then it is managed by the collector of the district with the help of a small committee.

Binkhambi Ganapati.

Binkhambi Ganapati Temple: This temple is at the corner of Mahadvar Road. The temple consists of two parts, the inner temple and the mandap in front. Both these have no pillars to support the ceiling and hence the temple is called Binkhambi (or without pillars). The mandap is a square room about 25' x 25'. The usual tower with Kalas is on the inner temple. The image of Ganapati is of stone with Shendur applied to it. The temple was formerly known as Josirao's Ganapati, possibly because the Josirao family was managing the temple.

Bramheahwar Temple.

Bramhesvar temple: This temple is near Varuntirth. It is like the Ambabai temple in construction but the spire or tower is missing. The temple is also half buried under the ground and presents a desolate appearance. It has a small original mandap in front and a big recent mandap of corrugated sheets. Inside the shrine there is a linga below the level of the ground and in the mandap there is a Nandi.

Khol Khandoba.

Khol Khandoba: The Khol Khandoba is a temple near the Burud Galli. From the outside one sees a big dome like that of a mosque. One has to go down about 20 to 25 feet. into the temple to reach the deity. The deity in the temple is the Linga. The temple is said to be ancient and the habitation round about is said to be even older than the habitation round the Mahalaxmi temple. The temple is not, however, in its original shape. It appears to have been partially demolished by an earthquake and have been rebuilt at a later date. The structure is rough and is without any embelishments.

Phirangai Mandir.

Phirangai Mandir: The temple of Phirangai or Pratyangiras a favourite goddess of the lower classes, is near Varuntirth. This goddess receives offerings of flour, salt, turmeric, and oil and she is supposed to have the power of curing children suffering from itch. Formerly buffaloes were offered but now goats have taken the place of buffaloes.

The temple is simple. It is of slightly rough stones without any carvings or decorations. It appears to be a very old temple and perhaps it existed even before the Mahalaxmi temple was built because this habitations is said to have been prior to the habitation round the Mahalaxmi temple. It is now falling into a state of disrepair.

Radhakrishna Mandir.

Radhakrsna Mandir: This is an old temple near the Padmala or old race course. The temple is small and simple in style with a spire in the usual way. The idols are of white marble. There is an image of Krsna playing on the flute and an image of Radha standing beside him. There is a small cow in between and a small figure on the left hand possibly of another cowherd. These figures face north on the left hand side and facing west is the figure of another woman, possibly a Gopi.

The period of the temple is not known. But in 1857, some of the mutineers are said to have taken refuge here. This shows that the temple is an old one.

There is a mandap in front of the temple of fairly recent construction. Round the temple are hutments which were formerly used as stables for race horses. Now some people live in these buildings.

Sheshashayee temple.

Sesasayi temple: This temple is in the Subhas Cauk. The temple itself is of recent construction but the image of Visnu sitting on the coils of Sesa is an ancient one. It was found in the moat round the city wall south of Ravivar Vesa, and has been removed from there and installed at the present place during the reign of Sahu Maharaj. The image is carved in black stone and shows Visnu reclining on the coils of the serpent who has spread its many headed hood on him and a ' Das' and a ' Dasi' are pressing Visnu's feet. The work is exquisitely executed and is very interesting. The whole figure is about 10 to 12 feet in length.

Tembalai temple.

Tembalai temple: On the east of Kolhapur city about three miles from the old city there is a small hill and on this bill is built the temple of Temblai or Tryambuli. According to the Karvir or Kolhapur Furan, Temblai the younger sister of Mahalaxmi in consequence of a quarrel with Mahalaxmi left Kolhapur 1900 years ago and retired to a hill about three miles to the east of the city and remained there with her back turned towards her elder sister. The reason for the quarrel is given as follows:-After Mahalaxmi had killed the Daitya Kolla in the war between the devas and the daityas, his son Kamaksa decided to take revenge. He had acquired some magic by which he could convert human beings and things into sheep. Using this magic he converted Mahalaxmi and other gods into sheep. Tryambuli was not there at the time and so escaped. When she came to know of it she came and killed Kamaksa by a ruse and using his magic wand converted the sheep back into their natural form. The gods were very glad and decided to celebrate the occasion. Invitations were sent out to all but Tryambuli was forgotten by mistake. She got annoyed and went and sat on the Tryambuli Hill. When her absence at the celebrations was noticed Mahalaxmi sent some devas to fetch her. But she would not come. Finally Mahalaxmi herself went there with a Kohala' or pumpkin to remind her of an incident in the fight with Kolla, the Daitya. But Tryambuli was not moved. This incident occurred on the 5th Asvin, even to-day. Ambabai is said to pay her sister one visit in honour of the Goddess. An image of Ambabai is placed in a litter and carried in procession to the hill and a Kohala or pumpkin is afterwards cut to pieces by an unmarried girl in memory of the destruction by the deity of a giant named Kolhapur. The fair is attended by 15,000 to 20,000 people and sweetmeats and other eatables as well as toys are offered for sale. Every third year and also during bad attacks of cholera and other epidemics a buffalo is offered to the goddess. The temple has a small allowance from Government and one pujari or ministrant is in attendance. In the old days every year in Asadh or June-July or in Magh or January-February it was customary in Kolhapur to offer a he-buffalo to the goddess Margai near Temblai. This practice was stopped a long time ago. Now only naivedya of mutton is offered. During the month of Asadh, on every Tuesday and Friday, water from Pancaganga river is taken ceremoniously in brass vessels and Kavadis are poured on the threshold of Temblai temple. Offerings of eatables and mutton are also made. Some of the local talims or gymnasiums organise some of these parties.

The temple in the old Hemadpanti style is without any ornate carvings. There is a mandap in front of the main temple.

On the same hill there are two more temples. One is the temple of Margai and the other is a temple of Sivaji Maharaj. The latter is a recent construction. The former is an old structure with a recent addition of a mandap of corrugated iron sheets.

The Tryambuli hill is a picturesque spot apart from its religious importance. It is a windswept hill with very few trees. One gets a panoramic of the sprawling city from the top. Nearby on similar hill is the Vikramsingh reservoir where there is a garden maintained by the Water Works Department. This is a beautiful spot for an evening stroll. There is a small reservoir from where water is supplied to a part of the city. On the other side of the Tryambuli hill is the hill on which the barracks of the former Rajaram Rifles are seen. Between this hill and the Tryambuli hill passes the road to Hupari.

Vithoba Mandir.

Vithoba Mandir: The temple of Vithoba, which was probably built about the same time as Ambabai temple, lies south-east near the Subhas, Cauk. A large space encloses five temples with a rest-house large enough for several hundred travellers. The chief temple of Vithoba to the right is built of stone and is similar in style to the great temple of Ambabai. In front of this temple, there is a double-storeyed wooden mandap which is of fairly recent construction. Another old temple to the left dedicated to Visvesvar is similar in style to Vithoba's temple. The entrance is grand and has spacious rooms on the top. On the bright elevenths of Asadh or June-July and Kartik or October-November fairs are held in honour of the god Vithoba when flowers and leaves of the bel or Aegle marmelos and the tulsi or basil plant are offered. The rooms on the entrance as well as the two buildings on either side of the entrance are now used by a school. Except the temple of Vithoba the other temples appear to be slightly neglected and signs of disrepair are visible in some of them.

Jain Mandir.

Jain Mandir.-In Laxmipuri, near the Padma Talkies there is a temple of Munisuvrat, the 20th Tirthahkar of the Jains. Although the mandir was-built in 1947, it is a fine example of an attempt to build in the old Indian style of architecture. The mandir is modelled on the lines of the old Jain mandirs and reminds one of the Jain mandirs at Abu. There are beautiful carvings both inside and outside the temple. The image of Munisuvrat is installed in the inner temple. There are also images of other Tirthahkars in marble, in the temple. Next to the inner temple there is a mandap. The mandir was built at a cost of Rs. 1,25,000.

Jain Swami Math.

Jain Swami Math.-This math is in Sukravar Peth a short distance from the Sukravar Dharmasala. The math is very old. The main gate or Nagarkhana, is very beautiful and is similar to the nagarkhana of the old Palace. It is, however, surmounted by a number of four-pillared towers. The main arched gateway is very beautiful. This nagarkhana or gate was built 80 years ago by Mathadhipati Laxmisen Maharaj at a cost of Rs. 61,000. It is built of black stone and is 65 ft. in height.

At present there is only an open space beyond the gate, except for a small structure at right angles to the main gate and joined to it. The old math building appears to have been destroyed and the upper storeys of the main gate and the other structure are at present being used as math.

Shankaracharya Math.

Sahkaracarya Math.-This math is in Sukravar Peth on the way to the Pancaganga Ghat. It is an old two storeyed structure without any embellishments or architectural points. It is, however, very old. The building is occupied by Sankaracarya of Sankesvar. Although formerly it was a part of the Sankesvar Math, the link was broken about 50 years ago and now the Kolhapur math is known as Karvir Pitha.

Babujamal Darga.

Babujamal Darga.-The Babujamal Darga is behind Saraswati Cinema theatre within a short distance of the Ambabal temple. This darga appears to have been built when the Muslims first conquered Kolhapur.

There is a big gate leading into the draga grounds. The top of the gate has, however, been removed. This gate was built in 1909 according to a tablet fixed there. The darga has a fairly extensive area with a garden and subsidiary building. The main darga stands in the middle of the ground. It is a typical Muslim structure with a big dome and four small domes at the four corners. The darga seems to have been built with stones of Hindu temples because the image of Ganapati appears on the lintel of the door. It is white washed.

This Darga is the most important Muslim shrine in the city. Many Hindus also go there for worship.

Municipal office  Building.

Municipal Office Building.-The Municipal Office building stands on the Bhausingji road near the Sivajl Chowk. It is a rectangular two-storeyed stone building with a small third  storey in the middle of each side. There are shops on the ground-floor on the outside. On the first floor, there is a verandah with arches on the outside and rooms opening out on the inside. There is a big quadrangle in the building which is approached from a gate on the northern side. There are arched gates on the other three sides but two of them are generally closed and the one on the eastern side is used for a firefighter station. On the first floor there are two big halls, the old and the new, which are meant for meetings of the General Body. The new hall constructed in 1953 has special wall panels which absorb sound and prevent reverberations. There is also a gallery and new type of fluorescent lighting.

The building has been built in two sections. The eastern and southern wings and a portion of the northern wing were built in 1929 at a cost of Rs. 1,60,000. The western wing and a portion of the northern wing were built in 1955 at a cost of Rs. 2,74,000. The new hall is situated in the western wing.

New Palace.

New Place.-The New Palace is on the Bhausingji Road (Bavada road) near the Residency. It took seven years to complete, from 1877 to 1884, and cost about seven lakhs of rupees. The building faces south and has an octagonal tower in the centre, commonly known as the clock tower, about 25 ft. broad (outside dimension) and 135 ft. high. The end rooms of the Palace are octagonal in shape both in front and at back, and it has a grand Darbar hall and billiard room on one side and two reception rooms on the other. At the back is an open cauk (square) with a fountain at the centre and an enclosed verandah arcade and rooms on all sides of the chowk. The main building is two-storeyed with a terraced roof and numerous turrets and domes. The Palace is designed with an exquisite grace of outline which characterises the mixed Hindu style of architecture and is ornamented with a profusion of elaborate detail which presents itself to the utmost advantage. The Darbar Hall is particularly grand. It has very beautiful stained windows depicting various episodes in the life of Sivaji the Great, which is the work of an Italian artist.

The Palace has beautiful grounds. There is also a small zoo. There is a small lake specially created for this zoo. There was also a small in-door swimming pool near the Palace. The building, however, is not in proper repair now and the pool is not in use.

old pahce.

Old Palace.-The Old Palace stands near the Mahalaxml  temple to the south-east of the temple. It was built more than 200 years ago. Some portions of this Palace were set on fire and destroyed in the insurrection of 1813 by Sadalla Khan and they had to be rebuilt from time to time. The front portion is very recent. The Palace is a two-storeyed building having a terrace all over except the central portion where a hall has been erected. The Palace contains six chowks (quadrangles). The most important of these is the Bhavani cauk in which the image of the family deity, Bhavani, is set up. In this cauk darbars and all religious functions connected with the chatrapati's household were formerly held. This cauk is big and has a polished floor, wide verandahs on the four sides and a gallery on the first floor overlooking the chowk. The temple of Bhavani is on the western side facing the east. The temple is spacious. Outside in the southern verandah is kept the 'Gadi' or throne which was used for the darbars. There is also a life-size wooden statue of Sahu Chatrapati. Next to Bhavani cauk on the southern side there is another cauk where there is a small tank with goldfish in it. In the middle of the tank, there is a small temple of Mahadeva. The first floor has residential rooms. The western portion of the Palace is owned by Government and many offices are located therein. There is a police station in the portion which formerly belonged to treasury. On the first floor of this portion are situated the Judicial Magistrates' courts. In the next chowk, there are the Prant Offices, the Sub-Registrar's Office, Labour Office, etc. This cauk is big and has a fountain in the middle. In the south-western portion there is a women's institution patronised by the Dowager Maharani. In front of this portion there is a small open space with small temples. The North-eastern portion is in a dilapidated condition. There used to be also a garden here but now it is a neglected back-yard. Beyond it there is a medium-sized tank. This and the buildings round about are used by the Motibaug talim.

The Palace is built in simple style and there are no special decorations or carvings. It is built mainly in the Hindu style with very few arches, domes or minarets.

In front of the Bhavani cauk in the eastern side of the Palace a big mandap with corrugated sheets has been built. It is in a state of disrepair now.

The Palace is surrounded by other structures with gates in them in such way that there is a courtyard for the Palace. On the northern side there is a two-storeyed stone building with arches and domes with the nagarkhana or the main gate in the middle and the building of the Rajaram College further on. On the eastern side, facing the Bhavani temple is another structure with a beautiful gate in the middle. On the south there is the " Wada " of a courtier. The courtyard formed with these buildings is not paved and is now a public thoroughfare with roads passing through it. The nagarkhana building is of particular interest It is perhaps the tallest building in the city and form its top one gets a panoramic view of the city. It is a massive five-storeyed building built mainly in black-stone and is a fine example of Indian architecture. There are no domes but there are a few arches which point to Islamic influence. On the third-storey, there is a chamber with square pillars. The pillars as well as walls are of highly polished black-stone. It is called Aine Mahal or the hall of mirrors because the surface of the walls and of the pillars is so highly polished that it reflects images. The main gate of the nagarkhana has big arches. On either side of the gate, there is a room where elephants were formerly kept. The nagarkhana was built by Buvasaheb Maharaj, the ruler of Kolhapur between 1828 and 1838. Its cost is unknown but it has been estimated at Rs. 5,00,000. The gate on the eastern side has beautiful pillars.

Rajaram College.

Rajaram College.-The Rajaram College (Arts Section) building is near the nagarkhana. of the Old Palace. This building is in the Rajasthan style of construction with small curved domes supported by slender pillars and galleries with curved roofs. The building is a two-storeyed structure in black-stone with two beautiful polygon towers in the Indo-Saracenic style, with slender pillars supporting a dome with an inverted lotus-leaf. There is a partial third storey which seems to have been built at a later period and does not completely harmonise with the main building.

The building was originally built for the Rajaram High School. Subsequently when the Rajaram College was started in 1880 the High School was shifted and the College was housed in this building. There is a beautiful hall in the building which is used for various functions. There is an open air theatre recently built behind the college building.

Shalini Palace.

Salini Palace.-The Salini Palace stands on the northern bank of the Rankala lake. It is a modern construction in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is a rectangular double-storeyed structure with four square towers surmounted by domes at the corners. On the front side above the main entrance another square tower rises above the corner towers and it is surmounted by a polygon tower with slender pillars and a dome at the top with an inverted lotus leaf. The Palace faces the Rankali tank and has beautiful grounds. There is a small ghat on the lake where one can sit and enjoy solitude or from where one can go boating. The Palace is richly decorated inside and is lavishly furnished.

This Palace was built between 1931 and 1934 at a cost of Rs. 8,00,000. At present (1957) it is not in regular use.

Town Hall.

Town Hall.-This beautiful building is situated near the Civil Hospital on the Bhausingji Road. It stands in the extensive and beautiful Town Hall garden. The building is in Gothic style with two spires and a steep roof. It consists of a large central hall and gallery with two rooms on either side joined to the main hall by a spacious verandah in the front. There is a fine porch with a terrace over it, joined to the hall and gallery. The hall is spacious enough to seat 500 persons. There is a big arched wooden door leading into the hall. Creepers have been let on the porch and on the walls. There is a beautiful, large, oval fountain in front of the building with a pool of water which contains goldfish. The building is surrounded by a splendid garden (for description of the garden see Gardens). The Town Hall building was constructed between 1872 and 1876 at a cost of Rs. 80,000.

The building at present houses a museum. The hall contains glass cases in which are displayed various articles found in the excavations at Brahmapuri such as earthern vessels, beads and so on. Some cases display coins of different periods. There are tamrapats also. There are many figures carved in stone found in the different parts of the city and at Bid, a village in Karvir taluka where there was a kingdom in pre-Muslim days. In the southern wing there is an armoury where old weapons are displayed. In the northern wing there is an Art gallery where paintings of noted local artists are displayed. There is also a small collection of busts and statues.

statues.

Statues.-There are some beautiful statues in Kolhapur city.Of particular interest are the following:-(i) Statue of Sivaji Maharaj in Sivaji Cauk, (ii) Statue of Sahu Chatrapati, (iii) Statue of Aisaheb Maharaj and (iv) Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Varuntirth.

The statue of Sivaji Maharaj in Sivaji Cauk faces north It is a standing figure of Sivaji with a sword drawn. The statue is in bronze and is mounted on a pedestal of polished black-stone. The pedestal is about 10 ft. in height and the statue is about 6 ft. in height. The statue is enclosed by a polygon-shaped compound of stone pillars and a green hedge is gown around it. The statue was erected in 1945, on the site formerly occupied by the statue of Sir Leslie Wilson.

The statue of Sahu Maharaj is on the Sahu Road near Dasara Chowk. The statue is a full size standing figure of Sahu Maharaj in bronze mounted on a greenish marble pedastal with a small polygon-shaped compound of small stone pillars and an iron chain. The statue itself is about 10 ft. in height and the pedestal is 12 to 15 ft. in height. With this height the statue looks imposing. The statue was unveiled on 12th April 1927.

The statues of Aisaheb Maharaj is on the junction of Sivaji Road, Latthe Road and Karmavir Bhaurao Patil Road. It is a marble statue of Maharani Laxmibai, the mother of Rajaram Maharaj. It is a beautiful sitting figure of the Maharani with a beautiful marble canopy. There is a marble pedestal. Formerly, there were trees round the statue but they have been recently removed and the place has been converted into an oval-shaped traffic island. The statue was erected in 1929, at the time of establishment of Laxmipuri vasahat.

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi is at Varuntlrth. It stands in the middle of what was formerly the Varuntirth tank. The statue is an bronze and shows Mahatma Gandhi in the familiar pose of walking with a long stick in his hand. The statue itself is 11 ft. in height and it is mounted on a stone pedestal which is 12 to 15 ft. in height. The area round the statue is being developed into a garden. The statue cost Rs. 1,00,000 and was unveiled on 7th June, 1954.

Besides these statues, there are the following statues or busts in the city: -

(1) The equestrian statue of Prince Sivaji near Sahu Boarding.

(2) Bust of Mahatma Phule Bindu Cauk.

(3) Bust of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Bindu Cauk.

(4) Bust of Alladiya Khan near Deval Club.

(5) Bust of Abalal in Padma Raje Garden.

(6) Bust of Sahu Maharaj in Sahu Uddyan.

(7) Bust of Rajaram Maharaj in front of the Civil Courts.

(8) Bust of Cimasaheb near Power House corner.

(9) Bust of Govindarao Tembe in Rajaram Hall garden.

(10) Bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Papachl Tikti.

(11) Bust of Sivaji at Varuntlrth.

Panehagana Ghat.

Pancaganga Ghat.-To the north-west of the city, there is an extensive ghat on the Pancaganga river. There are numerous temples here including some in the river itself. On the bank is an enclosure where members of the royal family are cremated. There are many temples here dedicated to the deceased members of the royal family. Sambhaji, Sivaji III, Aba Saheb and Babasaheb. Of these, the biggest and best is the temple of Sivaji III. It was built in 1815 and contains some beautiful carvings. It is, however, an ill-assorted combination of large Musalman Hall and a lofty Hindu spire covered with stucco formed into mouldings and with a few ornaments. [Old District Gazetteer.] These tombs are ling shrines. In some temples padukas are found.

The ghat consists of long stone flights of steps reaching down to the river. The ghat is used for bathing and washing. One gets a very picturesque view from the ghat. To the north one sees the river windmg under the lofty arches of the Shivaji Bridge. Overlooking this bridge, the ghat and the river is the Bramhapuri Hill, the site of the ancient city.

Kotitirth.

Kotitirth.-To the east of the city near the sahu Mill (Sahu Chatrapati Spinning and Weaving Mill) there is a big tank or lake with a temple of Mahadeva. This is called the Kotitirth. This is a picturesque spot in Kolhapur. On the city side there is an earthen bund. There are some babul trees on this side. The temple of Mahadeva is slightly inside the lake with a small strip of land joining it to the bund. The temple is small and simple and has no ornate carvings or decorations. The image of Ganapati is carved on the lintel of the temple. There is a small mandap of recent construction before the temple. Inside the temple there is a Pindi or ling of Mahadeo. On the southern side there is a sort of mangrove and a building. This building was constructed by one Narayandas Maharaj, who came here in 1894 and built this rest-house like building with country tiled roof.. Narayandas Maharaj toot samadhi, in 1933. The samadhi is in a small chamber below the main room of this building. In front of this building, there is a small ghat going upto the edge of the water. The samadhi has become a place of worship.

There are different stories about how the place came to be called Kotitirth. According to one the daityas defeated the devas. The devas implored Mahalaxmi to help them and she attacked the devas. But when she saw their plight she took pity on them and refused to kill them. But the daityas did not like this and they told her that those who seek mercy go to hell while those who die on the battle field go to heaven and that she should kill all of them and give the place the name of Kotitirth as they were one crore in strength. According to another story Kotitirth is the tirth or holy tank established by Puskaresvar at Karvir. As king Bhanu took bath here and washed away his one crore sins the tirth was called Kotitirth.

The water of Kotitirth is not used for drinking. It is used for bathing and washing. A few people swim in the tank especially near the temple of Narayandas Maharaj.

Rankala.

Rankala: Of all the places of interest in Kolhapur, Rankala is perhaps the most popular. It is a place where people throng in the evening for a stroll. It is sometimes referred to as the mackbay or Marine Drive of Kolhapur. Rankala is a lake at the south western end of the city. It has a radius of 2½ miles to 3 miles and depth of 35 ft. The road on the city side is in good condition and is the most frequented. It is really a bund which was built to increase the capacity of the lake. The water of the lake is now used mainly for irrigation and about 350 acres are irrigated. The water is let through a sluice gate in the bund. This gate is operated from a minor type of beautiful structure called the Rankala Tower. Near the Tower is the Raj ghat, a flight of broad steps leading to the water. It is now used for bathing and washing. On the northern bank of the lake stands the beautiful Salini Palace lending additional charm to the lake. On the eastern side and slightly in the lake stands the Sandhya-math. It is a structure of stone columns with a stone slab forming a big hall. It is an old structure in a crumbling stage. It is almost fully sub-merged in water during the monsoon and almost fully seen in the summer when the water in the lake reaches its lowest level. On the south-eastern side of the lake there is the Padma Raje Garden, where one can sit and relax. Formerly there were a few boats for going round in the lake which were used mainly by the Maharaja. Fishing rights were also reserved by the Maharaja. Now there are no boats in the lake. Fishing rights are annually auctioned. Very good Moral is found in the lake. The lake is named after the god Rank Bhairav, who is said to have been a great favourite with Mahalaksmi and to have a gold temple now hidden under the water of the lake. The beginning of the Rankala lake is said to have been a quarry from which, according to the Jains, including the temple of Ambabal, stones were supplied to 360 Bastis or Jain temples built by a Jain Raja Gandharaditya. Afterwards in the eighth or ninth century an earthquake is said to have enlarged the quarry and filled it with water. The lake now receives water from two streams in the north and has also a waste weir outlet in the north. In 1883 the Rankala water supply was much improved. A new cut-stone dam higher and stronger than the old dam was built on the city side. This dam with its parapet wall still stands, although the height of the dam or embankment has slightly increased due to remetalling of the road on the top and the height of the parapet wall has correspondingly decreased. The lake is now owned by Government and is managed by the Public Works Department.

Bindu chowk

Bindu Cauk is a square in the heart of the town. In this . square there is a semi-circular place for public meetings. This place is paved and fenced and has a specially built dias at one end. It has a picturesque background of the only remaining bastions of the old city wall and on the south is the only remaining gate viz., the Ravivar Ves. On either side of the dais, there are two busts, one of Mahatma Phule and the other of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. All major public meetings are held at this place.

Sathmari.

Sathmari or the arena for elephant fights is on Subhas Road in the south-eastern part of the old city. It is a plot of about two acres with small stone castles built at different points where the persons provoking the elephants to fight could take shelter. The whole plot is fenced round with a wall on the top of which there is place for the spectators. Elephant fights were popular during the rule of Sahu Chatrapati. Now the place is used as a playground and is only a remainder of the old sport.

Wrestling Arena.

Kolhapur is known for wrestling. To encourage wrestling a special wrestling arena has been built by the former Kolhapur State Government. The arena is between Subhasa Cauk and Kesavarao Bhosale Natyagrha (old Palace Theatre). It is a circular open place with a pavilion at one end and circular sloping ground all round. The ring is in the middle. The arena can accommodate 20,000 persons at a time. The arena is now owned by Government and has been leased out to the Kolhapur Sports Association which arranges wrestling bouts periodically.

Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital.

The C. P. R. Hospital or the Civil Hospital (formerly known as Albert Edward Hospital) is situated on the Bhausingji Road near the old Queen's or Rani Circle. The main building of the hospital is an example of English architecture of Gothic style of the nineteenth century. It was constructed between 1881 and 1884 at a cost of Rs. 3 lakhs. It is a two storeyed structure with a small portion behind the porch at the entrance going up to three or four storeys. This portion has a steep tiled roof ending up with wrought iron railing at the top.

The hospital has accommodation for 200 patients. On the ground floor are the administrative offices and a small general ward. On the first floor are two general wards, the one on the right hand side as one goes up the staircase, is a female and children's ward and the other slightly higher up on the left is the male ward. There is a well-equipped operation theatre on the first floor. Behind the main building there is a newly constructed T. B. Ward and a small ward for infectious diseases. On the southern side there are special rooms in what is called Nursing Home. In the open space in front of the main building on the southern side there is the out-patient department with X-Ray arrangement. This building is comparatively a recent construction.

There is a separate maternity home attached to the Civil Hospital. This is known as Padma Raje Maternity Home. It is in the same compound as the main hospital but is at the other end. It is a two-storeyed building.

Karvir Nagar vachan Mandir.

The Karvir Nagar Vacan Mandir is opposite the Rajaram Colleg (Arts Section). It has a small but attractive building with a small dome and some carved slender pillars, forming a porch. The architecture is somewhat similar to the architecture of the Rajaram College building, though not of that exquisite quality.

The library was founded in 1850 and was then known as the Kolhapur Native Library. It was originally housed in a building which was later on taken over by the Government. The present building was constructed between 1879 and 1881. In 1921 the reading hall on the east was built.

There is a reading hall in the original building where newspapers and magazines are available for reading. Books are issued out for reading at home. There is another reading hall in the building constructed later where reference books are generally available. There were 26,000 books in the library in 1957.

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