Raja Pratapsinh of Satara: 1818-1839 (An Old and Rare Book)

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Not much has been written on Raja Pratapsinh of Satara. It is a small and insignificent narrative amid the broad and sweeping events of Anglo-Indian History. But it is attractive. It must draw the attention of the student of this period of Indian History. Among the several causes of the Indian Mutiny, the dethronement of the Raja of Satara, with other similar incidents, is regarded as having contributed in stirring an anti-British feeling among the people. But, apart from its political implications, it is the unfor- tunate incidents in the Raja's unhappy life that move our sympathy.

A couple of years ago I turned to the study of the Satara Residency Records at the Peshwa Daftar. Here is a mine of infor- mation on the life and administration of the Raja. The present selections contain records from the Satara papers. The introduc- tory note written on Pratapsinh, not only draws on the records of the Residency but has incooperated select documents both from early accounts written on the Raja's life and the printed Parlia- montary records which are voluminous. For those interested in the story of the Raja's prosecution and defence will have to turn to the Parliamentary Papers. We have, here in these select docu- ments, important papers of James Grant, the first Resident, on the administrative affairs of the early Satara State.

In 1966 I had the opportunity to be in U. K. I was busy with the Elphinstone Papers at the India Office Library, London. I was collecting material to write a life of Mountstuart Elphinstone, the Indian Years (1795-1827). Elphinstone, we all know, was responsible for founding the independent State of Satara. Among his correspondence, both public and private, there were interesting papers on the Satara Affairs. The present selections from the Peshwa Daftar are therefore, interwoven with the Elphinstone Papers and lend added importance to our narrative.

Pratapsinh's interesting but unfortunate life needs a more detailed study. He can be the subject of a thesis. These selections are, therefore, a humble contribution to stir the enthusiasm of any individual who wishes to undertake such a task. In the accomplishment of this, I trust, these selections will play some part. That will be the Editor's best reward.

The B. I. S. Mandala is happy in presenting this volume of original documents on "Raja Pratapsinh of Satara" by Dr. R. D. Choksey to its readers. Dr. Choksey, who has been work- ing on the socio-economic and administrative history of Western India in the 19th century for the last several years, has collected these documents from the Elphinstone papers, preserved at the India Office Library, London and the Satara Residency corres- pondence deposited in the Alienation Office, Poona. He has arranged these documents with a view to narrating the sordid story of the rise and fall of the new Satara state, a creation entirely of the British, after the conquest of Peshwa's territories in 1818.

Though the routine work of the B. I. S. Mandala is generally conducted in Marathi, it has no bias against publishing anything in English. Every thing depends upon the authors who contribute. As a matter of fact it has published long ago Historical Miscellany in English and English Records on Shivaji' through its sub-committee Shivacharitra Karyalaya. It has also published a number of articles in English and summarised others in English.

Now with this book, the B. I. S. Mandala proposes to publish a series of English records dealing with the 19th century history of Western India, and it is looking forward to get maximum co- operation from Dr. Choksey and other scholars who are working on English records. Such works would enable students to assess the activities of the British in terms of social change during the British era of Indian history.

The B. I. S. Mandala is thankful to Dr. Choksey for allowing it to publish this book in its 'Sviya Mala' series. He was kind enough to secure financial assistance from the University of Poona and the Nowrosjee Wadia College, Poona for the publication of this book.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages