Shahu II of Kolhapur

Shahu Chhatrapati Shahu Chhatrapati

Pretender
Born|  (1948-01-07) 7 January 1948 (age 76)
Mumbai
Regnal name claimed| Shrimant Kshatriyakulavatans Shree Raja Shahu Chhatrapati Hindupad - Patshaha, Maharaj Sarkar Karvir
Title(s)| Maharaja of Kolhapur
Pretend from| 1983 - present
Monarchy abolished| 1948
Royal House| Bhonsle
Father| Rajaramsinhrao Lakshmanrao Bhonsle
Mother| Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharajkumari Shaliniraje Sahib Maharaj Bhonsle
Predecessor| Shahaji II
Religion| Hinduism

Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj of Kolhapur (born on January 7, 1948) is the descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the great-grandson of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur and the son and heir of Maj. Gen. Shahaji Chhatrapati Maharaj of Kolhapur. He studied at the Bishop Cotton School, Bangalore and later on graduated from the Indore Christian College in 1967 with History, Economics and English literature.

Shahu II (born 7 January 1948) (hereditary titles: Shrimant Kshatriyakulavatans Shree Raja Shahu Chhatrapati Hindupad - Patshaha, Maharaj Sarkar Karvir) of the Bhonsle dynasty of the Marathas. He became the ceremonial Chhatrapati Maharaja of Kolhapur in 1983. He is the 12th descendant of Emperor Shivaji.[citation needed]

##  Family [edit]

On the 9th of March 1970, he married Yadnaseniraje, from the Pawar family of Mangsuli. Their elder son Sambhaji was born in 1971 and the younger son Maloji in 1976. Sambhaji has done his MBA and has married Sanyogeetaraje and have a son named Shahaji. Maloji has done his B.A and has married Madhurimaraje and have a daughter and son named Yashashwini and Yashraj respectively. Yashashwini has graduated from Regent’s University, London and is currently studying in the University of Columbia, New York, US. Sambhaji was nominated to the Rajyasabha and Maloji had represented Kolhapur in the Vidhansabha of Maharashtra.

## Trusts[edit]

Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj is closely associated with educational institutions and charitable trusts created by his great grandfather Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and by his father late Maj. Gen. Shahaji Chhatrapati Maharaj. The institutions and trusts are actively involved in educational and social work.

## Some of the institutions with which he is associated[edit]

PRESIDENT, Deccan Education Society, Pune

Fergusson College, Pune
Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, Pune
Institute of Management, Development & Research, Pune
Kirti M Doongursee College, Mumbai
Willingdon College, Sangli
Chintamanrao College of Commerce, Sangli
Institute of Advanced Research & Development, Sangli
Institute of Management & Research, Sangli
Shahu Agricultural College, Sangli
PRESIDENT, All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society, PUNE

Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School, Pune
College of Engineering, Pune
Polytechnic, Pune
College of Pharmacy, Pune
College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Pune
Institute of Information Technology, Pune
Institute of Management, Pune
Industrial Training Centre, Pune
PRESIDENT, Shri Shivaji Maratha Society, PUNE

Shri Shivaji Maratha High School, Pune
Jijamata Girls High School, Pune
PRESIDENT and PATRON-IN-CHIEF, Shri Shahu Shikshan Sanstha, Dasara Chowk, KOLHAPUR

Shri Shahu Boarding, Kolhapur
Shri Shahaji Arts & Commerce College, Kolhapur
PRESIDENT of the Muslim Boarding, Dasara Chowk, KOLHAPUR

CHAIRMAN, Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum Trust, New Palace, KOLHAPUR

Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum, New Palace, Kolhapur
Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya, New Palace Area, Kolhapur
CHAIRMAN, Maharaja Shahaji Chhatrapati Zoo Trust, KOLHAPUR

Shahaji Chhatrapati Zoo, New Palace, Kolhapur
CHAIRMAN, Rajaram Chhatrapati Memorial Education Trust, New Palace, KOLHAPUR

Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya, New Palace Area, Kolhapur
PATRON-IN-CHIEF, The Kolhapur Sports Association, KOLHAPUR

Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium, Kolhapur
PATRON-IN-CHIEF, Shahaji Chhatrapati Shooting and Conservation Club, KOLHAPUR

PATRON, History Circle, KOLHAPUR

Karveer Riyasat 3rd edition, etc.
PATRON-IN-CHIEF, Maharashtra Itihas Prabhodhini, KOLHAPUR

Rajarshi Shahu Smarak Grantha, etc.
CHAIRMAN, Shahaji Chhatrapati Physical Education Trust, KOLHAPUR

PATRON-IN-CHIEF, Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Krutadnyata Pratishthan, KOLHAPUR

Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati TV Serial
CHIEF PATRON, Maji Sainik Pratishthan, KOLHAPUR

CHAIRMAN, Kolhapur Stud Farm PVT. LTD., KOLHAPUR

MEMBER, Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd. MUMBAI – PUNE

LIFE MEMBER, National Horse Breeding Society of India, PUNE

LIFE MEMBER, National Rifle Association of India, NEW DELHI

HON. MEMBER, Army Officers' Institute, Colaba, MUMBAI

HON. MEMBER, Residency Club, KOLHAPUR

HON. MEMBER, Army Officers’ Institute, KOLHAPUR

LIFE MEMBER, Equestrian Federation of India, NEW DELHI

Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya (School)

Inspired by the work carried out by Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj in the field of education, Shahu Chhatrapati also decided to follow the foot-steps of his illustrious great-grandfather and accordingly Chhatrapati Shahu Vidyalaya was founded in 1985. It is situated in the New Palace Area and the Royal Stables were aesthetically converted into school buildings. The famous architect Shri Charles Correa greatly appreciated the way it was converted and also appreciated the new productive use of the old dilapidating building. Since then, three new modern large buildings have also built. The school inculcates a sense of social justice and responsibility.

## Association with the Defence Establishment[edit]

Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj of Kolhapur, following the footsteps of his illustrious father Late Major General Shrimant Shahaji Chhatrapati, Maharaja of Kolhapur, has been maintaining close contact with the Defence establishments and has been particularly close to the Maratha Light Infantry. Incidentally, Rajshree Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was also an Hon. Col. in the 1st Maratha L I. Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj has been visiting the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre at Belgaum regularly. In 2006, General J J Singh, COAS was felicitated in a Royal and Grand manner by Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj. when he visited Kolhapur as he was the first COAS from the MLIR.

## Relief and Fund-Raising works[edit]

He had played an important role in donating and collecting funds for the relief of families and victims of :-

Earthquake, Koyna 1967 and Latur 1994

Floods, Kolhapur 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2021 and Kosi (Bihar), 2008
Kargil battle relief funds, 2000

## Awards[edit]

* On 19th April, 2010, he had the honour to receive Smt. Pratibha Patil, President of India at the Deccan Education Society, Pune on the occasion of its Post-Centennial Silver Jubilee celebrations.
* On 28th December, 2013 Shri Shahu Chhatrapati received Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India at All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society, Pune where he ceremoniously unveiled the grand statue of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj – renowned social reformer.
* In 1984, he had the honour to receive Shri Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, at the Centenary celebrations of the Fergusson College, Pune.
* In recognition of his commitment towards upliftment and development of the backward and downtrodden in the social, economic, political & educational fields, he was awarded “Ambedkar Ratna Puraskar” at the hands of former Prime Minister V. P. Singh.
* Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was awarded the coveted “Gen. K. S. Thimayya Medal”, 2017 for his Exemplary Service to Public Life. Gen. Thimayya was a distinguished commander of the Indian Army from 1957 to 1961.

Doctorate The year 2018 saw another milestone in his life. The Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj, by the [[D. Y. Patil |D. Y. Patil education society]], [[Deemed to be University]]. The citation applauds Maharaj as a renowned social activist and educationist, who has created a great impact on the masses by his notable work towards the cause of Social Commitment.

## References[edit]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AGg2S67CuM Shreemant Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36haCYbts4 Kolhapur: Shahu Maharaj Smruti Din निमित्त कोल्हापूरकर १०० सेकंद स्तब्ध उभे राहिले

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEuJX6WQEXk श्रीमंत शाहू छत्रपती महाराज | Shrimant Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj | Shrimant Shahu Maharaj Interview

https://marathi.abplive.com/news/kolhapur/chhatrapati-shahu-maharaj-75th-birthday-sambhajiraje-reveal-his-relation-with-shahu-maharaj-1138563 Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj 75th birthday : बाबा आणि माझं नातं एका शब्दात सांगायचं झालं तर! संभाजीराजेंनी व्यक्त केलेल्या भावना त्यांच्याच शब्दात...

https://marathi.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/kolhapur/statement-of-shrimant-shahu-maharaj-chhatrapati-in-kolhapur/articleshow/107861227.cms आजच्या इतका महाराष्ट्र कधीच अस्थिर नव्हता, आता आपल्याला ठरवायचं आहे की कोणाला साथ द्यायची- श्रीमंत शाहू महाराज छत्रपती

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ00SYdiKDg मी पण धनगरच ! श्रीमंत शाहू छत्रपती महाराज असे का म्हणाले ? त्यांनी जनतेला कोणता संदेश दिला ?

https://www.lokmat.com/kolhapur/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-shahu-maharaj-to-shahu-chhatrapati-learn-about-the-kolhapur-family-a746/

https://news18marathi.com/maharashtra/kolhapur/srimant-shahu-chhatrapati-maharaj-is-going-to-meet-manoj-jarange-patil-today-mhda-1069308.html श्रीमंत शाहू छत्रपती महाराज घेणार मनोज जरांगे पाटलांची भेट; कोल्हापूरहून जालन्याकडे रवाना

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUUwYgCa8qUShahu maharaj birthday: श्रीमंत शाहू छत्रपती महाराजांचा वाढदिवस साजरा, राजघराण्यातील मान्यवर उपस्थित

https://www.dainikprabhat.com/shrimant-shahu-maharaj-visited-rajarshi-chhatrapati-shahu-samadhisthala/

https://www.lokmat.com/maharashtra/shahu-chhatrapati-award-general-thimmaiya/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An_LJYzV2SQShrimant Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Speech at the D Y Patil Medical College convocation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4e4VGf8a_wKolhapur Shahi Dasara 2022 | शाही दसरा कोल्हापुर 2022

## See also[edit]

* Maratha Empire
* List of Maratha dynasties and states
* List of Indian princely states

## Sources[edit]

Titles in pretence

Preceded by

Shahaji II

| — TITULAR —
Maharaja of Kolhapur
1983–present
Reason for succession failure:
Royal titles & privy purse abolished by Government of India |  Succeeded by

Incumbent (Pretender)