Satara History

Historical inscriptions as old as 200 B.C reveal that probably the oldest known place in Satara district is Karad (mentioned as Karhakada). It is also believed that the Pandavas stayed in Wai, then known as 'Viratnagari', in the 13th year of exile.

The empire of Chandragupta II, known as Mahendraditya Kumargupta I, extended as far as Satara district in Deccan when he ruled between 451 AD to 455 AD. The Mauryan empire in the Deccan was followed by the rules of "Satvahans" for about two centuries between 550 A.D. to 750 AD.

The first Muslim invasion of the Deccan took place in 1296 and their rule extended until 1707. In 1636 the Nijam Shahi dynasty came to an end. In 1663 Shivaji conquered Parali & Satara fort. After the death of Shivaji, Aurangjeb conquered Satara fort later won by Parshuram Pratinidhi in 1706. In 1708 Shahumaharaj crowned on the Satara fort. The direct descendents of The Great Maratha King Chh, Shivaji Maharaj continue to live in Satara. The current king of Satara, Chh.Udayanraje Bhonsale is the 13th descendent of Shivaji Maharaj.

After their victory in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the British Empire annexed most of the Maratha territory to Bombay Presidency, but restored the titular Raja Pratap Singh, and assigned to him the principality of Satara, an area much larger than the present district. As a result of political intrigues, he was deposed in 1839, and his brother Shahji Raja was placed on the throne. This prince, dying without male heirs in 1848, Satara was annexed by the British government, and added to Bombay Presidency.

During the independence struggle Satara was known for Prati Sarkar (Parallel Government). During Quit India Movement this parallel government replaced British in rural areas for 4.5 years from August 1943 to May 1946. This type of parallel government was also seen in Midnapur, West Bengal. Krantisingh Nanasaheb Patil was the leader to run this government.