Miraj
Encyclopedia
Miraj is an historic town in southern Maharashtra
, India
. The history of the town dates back to the early 10th century, and the town is known for its rich tradition of Hindustani classical music
and for religious harmony. It served as a stronghold and a strategic bastion because of its location and was an important Jagir
of the Adilshahi Court of Bijapur. Shivaji Maharaj stayed in Miraj for two months during his South India Campaign. It was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Miraj Senior
. Pathwardhan Raje ruled Miraj until Independence. It is one of the leading medical centers in India. Miraj is also a very important railway junction and is part of the Central Railways network. Miraj City is part Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation formed in 1999.
1216-1316 AD Miraj is ruled by Yadavas of Devgiri
1395 AD Miraj conquered by Bahamanis
1391-1403 Durga Devi Famine, one of the longest lasting famines
1423 AD Miraj under Malik Imad Ul Mulk
1494 AD Bahadur Gilani's Revolt
1660 AD Chh. Shivaji Maharaj lays siege for about two months but has to give up as Panhala is attacked by Adilshah.
1680 AD Santaji Ghorpade gets Deshmukhi of Miraj
1686 AD Miraj captured by Aurangzeb
1730 AD Pant Pratinidhi attacks Miraj as directed by Chh. Shahu of Satara
3 Oct 1739 Miraj is under Maratha rule led by Chh. Shahu
1761 AD Harbhat Patwardhan's Son, Gopalrao, gets Miraj Jagir from Peshwa Madhavrao.
1801 AD The Miraj state is divided. Chintamanrao separates and establishes Sangli
1819 AD The local ruler becomes a vassal of British Empire.
1948 AD Princely state of Miraj merges with the Indian Republic.
. But the Hotur inscription of 1037 AD records that Panhala
, the capital city of Silahara Jattiga II was conquered by Chavan-raja, the general of Chalukya Jayasirhha II. The Miraj plates of 1024 AD reveal that Jayasimha II issued the grant when he was in his victorious camp near Kolhapur. This goes to establish that Panhala
was captured before 1024 AD either at the end of Jattiga's reign or in the beginning of his son Gonka's. It seems that the Silaharas were allowed to retain their territory. There is no doubt that Gonka submitted to Chalukya power but the fact that he is described as the conqueror of Konkan may mean that either he was appointed as the administrator or was allowed to penetrate beyond his territory. In 1216 AD Miraj along with other territories of Silaharas fell to the onslaught of the Yadavas who retained their hold up to AD 1318 when it passed on to the Bahamanis. We have it on the authority of the Tazkirat-ul-Mulk that Hasan, the founder of the Bahamani dynasty was in the employ of one Saikh Muhammad Junaidi at Gangi near Miraj where he found a treasure with which he raised an army, marched on Miraj and captured the fort after defeating and imprisoning one Rani Durgavati who was its subhedar. In view of his first victory the name of the town was changed to Mubarakabad at the wishes of Saikh Muhammad. This event took place in 748 Hijri or AD 1347.
occurs in the account of the revolt of Bahadur Gilani in AD 1494, which was quelled by Sultan Muhammad II (1452–1515). The Sultan had received a complaint from his counterpart in Gujarat and wanted to punish him. He invested the fort which was surrendered by its governor Buna Naik after some resistance. He was received well by the Sultan. The troops of Bahadur Gilani were given the alternative of either joining his army or leaving the fort. It is said that nearly 2,000 cavalry
left the fort and joined Bahadur Gilani. Those of whom preferred to enter Sultan's service were accepted and rewarded suitably. Whether this leniency shown towards the troops was an indication of the nobility of character of the Sultan or was the result of the growing weakness in the Sultanate following Gavan's death may he best left to the imagination of the reader. Be that as it may, the importance of Miraj as a base of operations for the expeditions against South Konkan and Goa
was clearly envisaged by the Bahamani kings and there are not a few references to the place being used as a camping ground for the purpose.The main entrance of the fortress was a huge gate about 30 ft (9.1 m) high. It was demolished 10 years ago.
, Golconda
, Bijapur
etc., declared their independence and on the fall of the Bahainani dynasty, Miraj passed into the hands of Bijapuri Sultans. Ali Adil Shah was kept here under house arrest during the later years of the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah, his father, and on the death of the latter it was turned into a point d' appui in the operations undertaken to possess the throne. The garrison took part afterwards, in the revolt of Ismail against Ibrahim Adil Sah III.
At this time Shivaji was fast rising into prominence and had carved out a separate principality at the cost of the Muslim dynasties that were gradually waning in power and losing hold over their dominions. His growing power was felt by the Mughals
and the Bijapuris who relentlessly tried to suppress him though without any success. Within 18 days of Afzal Khan's (Bijapuri sardar) death at Pratapgad, Panhala, the capital of the western Adil Sahi district was taken hy Annaji Datto through negotiations on 28 November 1659. Panhala Fort
and the surrounding district of Kolhapur, Vasantgad, Khelna (also called Vishalgad
), Ranganagad and other minor forts quickly capitulated. While yet Shivaji was camping at Kolhapur be sent Netaji Palkar to besiege Miraj fort. In January 1660 Chh. Shivaji Maharaj arrived in person to press the siege which had continued for two to three months, when news of Siddi Johar and Fazal Khan invading his territories urgently called him to Panhala fort. Under these circumstances Sivaji had to give up the siege and make arrangement to meet the challenge posed by the Bijapuri Sardars. Under the rule of Chh. Sambhaji
, Maratha generals Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav had chosen the fort of Miraj as a safe custody for their families while they were engaged in carrying on a guerilla warfare against the invading hordes of Aurangzeb, the Mughal
Emperor. With the fall of Bijapur in 1687 Miraj passed into the hands of the Mughals and remained so until it was captured by Chhatrapati Shahu on 3 October 1739 in a campaign that lasted for two years. Thus the remnant of the old Moghal power almost bordering on the Maratha capital was wiped once for and all. It was one of the many pockets of the Moghals which threatened the Maratha dominions, the others being Raigad, Gopalgad, Govindgad, etc. In 1761 the fort of Miraj was awarded by Peshva Madhavrao to Gopalrao Patwardhan. The Patwardhans of Miraj as they were called now played a stellar role in Peshwa campaigns against Haider & Tipu Sultan
.
Miraj came under the rule of [Peshwas]. The Patwardhan dynasty ruled the state as a principality until March 8, 1948. Prior to 1948 it was capital of princly state of Miraj Senior
. It was one of the full powered princely states of British India, under the southern division of the Bombay Presidency
, forming part of the southern Mahratta
Jagir
s, and later the Deccan States Agency
. The State of Miraj was founded before 1750 and was the former capital of the pre-British Patwardhan territory that extended between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra. In 1820, the Patwardhan territory was divided between a Senior and Junior branch. The territory of both branches was widely scattered among other native states and British districts.
The rulers, of the Patwardhan dynasty, used the title of Raja
, and were of the same clan that ruled nearby Sangli
, Budhgaon, Jamkhandi, Tasgaon, Kurindwad, Madavpur (Kurundwad Junior) and Wadi. Actually all of them are offshoots of the original Miraj Jagir. Raja Govind Rao Patwardhan, 1st Ruler of Miraj, began as a commandant of the body of horse, distinguished himself in several expeditions against the Nizam
of Hyderabad
and Hyder Ali
of Mysore, established the Maratha
ascendancy in southern India and pushed the Maratha conquests to the frontier of Mysore.
Miraj Senior measured 339 square miles (878 km²) in area. According to the 1901 census, the population was 81,467. In 1901, the state enjoyed revenue estimated at £23,000-, and paid £800 in tribute to the British Raj
. The Raja resided in the town of Miraj (population 18,425 in 1901), which was a junction on the Southern Mahratta Railway.
Miraj Senior acceded to the Dominion of India
on March 8, 1948 and is currently a part of Maharashtra
state
.
, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Pt. Bhatkhande, Hirabai Badodekar
and Pt. Vinayakrao Patwardhan are famous artists from Miraj. Bal Gandharva
made his debut performance at HansPrabha Theatre in Miraj. At the same place stands the newly built Balgandharva Natyagruha that has been named after him. Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the doyen of the Kirana gharana, lies interred within the compounds of the Khvaja Samsuddin Mira Saheb dargah and Annual music festival is organised in his memory at the dargah
. Because of this rich tradition of Hindustani Classical Music, it is a matter of pride for artistes to perform here in Miraj on occasion of Urus or Navratrotsav. The Administrative Office of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
is situated at Miraj.
, Sarod
and Tanpura. These are made of wood and specially treated gourds. This art was pioneered by Faridsaheb Sitarmaker in 18th century and is still practiced by his descendants.
. Until recently, it was the only junction to have all three rail gauge
s - broad gauge
, narrow gauge and metre gauge. The last narrow gauge train departed on 1 November 2008. Now Miraj has only broad gauge railway tracks. It is connected by railway to Pune on the north, Kurduvadi
via Pandharpur
on north-northeast and Belgaum
and Goa
on the south. Passenger trains from Kolhapur to Solapur
started running on the converted Miraj-Pandharpur-Kurduvadi broad gauge track in February 2011.
The two exits on NH4 form a triangle with the twin cities of Sangli and Miraj and are about 50 km from each exit. Though the time taken to travel depends on speed and other factors and may vary to a large extent, Mumbai is about 7 hours drive from Miraj and Bangalore is about 11 hours drive from Miraj.
and more than a hundred private clinics and hospitals. Miraj's main sources of notability lie in its large number of hospitals and a medium sized stringed instrument industry. It was famous in the 19th century for Vaidyas, as practitioners of traditional Ayurvedic medicine are known.
The Wanless Hospital, a major teaching hospital, was founded in Miraj in 1894 by Dr. Sir William James Wanless
(1865 to 1933) a Canadian
missionary physician working on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of the United States
. The hospital has served the people of the area for over one hundred years. Wanless was knighted for his service to humanity by King George V
in 1928.
Dr. R. K. Padhi, an Indian cardiac surgeon trained in Canada, and Dr. A. G. Fletcher, a general and thoracic surgeon from the USA, performed the first successful open-heart operation in India at Miraj in April 1962.
Miraj also boasts of the Government Medical College. It is an old institute which has reputedly produced some of the finest doctors in the country.
The Miraj Heart Institute is a tertiary referral centre for congenital and acquired cardiac diseases as well as thoracic & vascular problems
, both elective as also emergent, providing for the medical needs of patients from the States of Maharashtra
, Karnataka
and Goa
.
Annual Ganeshotsav is celebrated on the last day of which there is a "Ganesh Visarjan Miravanook" in which thousands of people participate actively. every Navratri, there is a music concert at Ambabai Temple.The Rosary Church is situated near the Railway station and is 104 years old though it was rededicated in 2006. The annual feast of Our Lady of Good Health [8th Sep ] attracts a huge crowd.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The history of the town dates back to the early 10th century, and the town is known for its rich tradition of Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
and for religious harmony. It served as a stronghold and a strategic bastion because of its location and was an important Jagir
Jagir
In historic India, a jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service...
of the Adilshahi Court of Bijapur. Shivaji Maharaj stayed in Miraj for two months during his South India Campaign. It was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Miraj Senior
Miraj Senior
Maraj Senior was a princely states of British India, under the southern division of the Bombay Presidency, forming part of the southern Mahratta Jagirs, and later the Deccan States Agency. The State of Miraj was founded before 1750 and was the former capital of the pre-British State of Sangli. In...
. Pathwardhan Raje ruled Miraj until Independence. It is one of the leading medical centers in India. Miraj is also a very important railway junction and is part of the Central Railways network. Miraj City is part Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation formed in 1999.
Important Years in History
1024 AD Miraj under control of Narsimha of Silahar dynasty1216-1316 AD Miraj is ruled by Yadavas of Devgiri
1395 AD Miraj conquered by Bahamanis
1391-1403 Durga Devi Famine, one of the longest lasting famines
1423 AD Miraj under Malik Imad Ul Mulk
1494 AD Bahadur Gilani's Revolt
1660 AD Chh. Shivaji Maharaj lays siege for about two months but has to give up as Panhala is attacked by Adilshah.
1680 AD Santaji Ghorpade gets Deshmukhi of Miraj
1686 AD Miraj captured by Aurangzeb
1730 AD Pant Pratinidhi attacks Miraj as directed by Chh. Shahu of Satara
3 Oct 1739 Miraj is under Maratha rule led by Chh. Shahu
1761 AD Harbhat Patwardhan's Son, Gopalrao, gets Miraj Jagir from Peshwa Madhavrao.
1801 AD The Miraj state is divided. Chintamanrao separates and establishes Sangli
Sangli
Sangli is a city in the state of Maharashtra of India. Sangli is known as the Turmeric city for its vast production of Turmeric. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and is the largest market place for Turmeric in Asia and houses many sugar factories, which it is also noted for...
1819 AD The local ruler becomes a vassal of British Empire.
1948 AD Princely state of Miraj merges with the Indian Republic.
Silahars
At the turn of the first millennium, Miraj passed on to the Silaharas of Kolhapur when they declared independence towards the close of the tenth century. Jattiga II (C. 1000-1020 AD), the fourth ruler of Silahar dynasty, has been mentioned by his son Narasimha (C. 1050 to 1075 AD) his Miraj plates dated Saka 980 or AD 1058. He was succeeded by Gonka who has been described in the same plates as the conqueror of Karahata (Karhad), Mirinj Miraj and KonkanKonkan
The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
. But the Hotur inscription of 1037 AD records that Panhala
Panhala
Panhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
, the capital city of Silahara Jattiga II was conquered by Chavan-raja, the general of Chalukya Jayasirhha II. The Miraj plates of 1024 AD reveal that Jayasimha II issued the grant when he was in his victorious camp near Kolhapur. This goes to establish that Panhala
Panhala
Panhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
was captured before 1024 AD either at the end of Jattiga's reign or in the beginning of his son Gonka's. It seems that the Silaharas were allowed to retain their territory. There is no doubt that Gonka submitted to Chalukya power but the fact that he is described as the conqueror of Konkan may mean that either he was appointed as the administrator or was allowed to penetrate beyond his territory. In 1216 AD Miraj along with other territories of Silaharas fell to the onslaught of the Yadavas who retained their hold up to AD 1318 when it passed on to the Bahamanis. We have it on the authority of the Tazkirat-ul-Mulk that Hasan, the founder of the Bahamani dynasty was in the employ of one Saikh Muhammad Junaidi at Gangi near Miraj where he found a treasure with which he raised an army, marched on Miraj and captured the fort after defeating and imprisoning one Rani Durgavati who was its subhedar. In view of his first victory the name of the town was changed to Mubarakabad at the wishes of Saikh Muhammad. This event took place in 748 Hijri or AD 1347.
Fortress
It is not known who built the Miraj fort. Some say that it was built by one of the Bahamani Sultans; but this view is untenable as the fort was in existence even before the establishment of the Bahamani dynasty. Bahamam Sultans may have only carried some repairs and fortified it. The first mention of Miraj by FirishtaFirishta
Firishta or Ferishta, full name Muhammad Qasim Hindu Shah , was born in 1560 and died in 1620 and he was a Persian historian. The name Firishta means angel or one who is sent in Persian.-Life:...
occurs in the account of the revolt of Bahadur Gilani in AD 1494, which was quelled by Sultan Muhammad II (1452–1515). The Sultan had received a complaint from his counterpart in Gujarat and wanted to punish him. He invested the fort which was surrendered by its governor Buna Naik after some resistance. He was received well by the Sultan. The troops of Bahadur Gilani were given the alternative of either joining his army or leaving the fort. It is said that nearly 2,000 cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
left the fort and joined Bahadur Gilani. Those of whom preferred to enter Sultan's service were accepted and rewarded suitably. Whether this leniency shown towards the troops was an indication of the nobility of character of the Sultan or was the result of the growing weakness in the Sultanate following Gavan's death may he best left to the imagination of the reader. Be that as it may, the importance of Miraj as a base of operations for the expeditions against South Konkan and Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
was clearly envisaged by the Bahamani kings and there are not a few references to the place being used as a camping ground for the purpose.The main entrance of the fortress was a huge gate about 30 ft (9.1 m) high. It was demolished 10 years ago.
Disintegration of the Empire
The Bahamani empire disintegrated due to a succession of weak rulers who could not put down the turbulence of the powerful provincial governors. Thus in 1490 the governors of AhmadnagarAhmadnagar
Ahmadnagar is located in Gujranwala DistricTt, Punjab, Pakistan.-References:...
, Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
, Bijapur
Adil Shahi
The Adil Shahi or Adilshahi dynasty ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur in the Western area of the Deccan region of Southern India from 1490 to 1686. Bijapur had been a province of the Bahmani Sultanate , before its political decline in the last quarter of the 15th century and eventual break-up in 1518...
etc., declared their independence and on the fall of the Bahainani dynasty, Miraj passed into the hands of Bijapuri Sultans. Ali Adil Shah was kept here under house arrest during the later years of the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah, his father, and on the death of the latter it was turned into a point d' appui in the operations undertaken to possess the throne. The garrison took part afterwards, in the revolt of Ismail against Ibrahim Adil Sah III.
At this time Shivaji was fast rising into prominence and had carved out a separate principality at the cost of the Muslim dynasties that were gradually waning in power and losing hold over their dominions. His growing power was felt by the Mughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and the Bijapuris who relentlessly tried to suppress him though without any success. Within 18 days of Afzal Khan's (Bijapuri sardar) death at Pratapgad, Panhala, the capital of the western Adil Sahi district was taken hy Annaji Datto through negotiations on 28 November 1659. Panhala Fort
Panhala fort
Panhala fort , also known as Panhalgad, Pahalla and Panalla , is located in Panhala, 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. It is strategically located looking over a pass in the Sahyadri mountain range which was a major trade route from Bijapur in the interior of Maharashtra to...
and the surrounding district of Kolhapur, Vasantgad, Khelna (also called Vishalgad
Vishalgad
Vishalgad was one of the important forts of Shivaji and Maratha Empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ meaning grand fort in Marathi, was given by Shivaji after annexing it for the Maratha Empire in 1659.The fort is about 1130 meters that is 3630 feet.-Origin of the name Vishalgad:Khelna was in the control...
), Ranganagad and other minor forts quickly capitulated. While yet Shivaji was camping at Kolhapur be sent Netaji Palkar to besiege Miraj fort. In January 1660 Chh. Shivaji Maharaj arrived in person to press the siege which had continued for two to three months, when news of Siddi Johar and Fazal Khan invading his territories urgently called him to Panhala fort. Under these circumstances Sivaji had to give up the siege and make arrangement to meet the challenge posed by the Bijapuri Sardars. Under the rule of Chh. Sambhaji
Sambhaji
Sambhaji Raje Bhosle was the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire.- Early life :...
, Maratha generals Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav had chosen the fort of Miraj as a safe custody for their families while they were engaged in carrying on a guerilla warfare against the invading hordes of Aurangzeb, the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor. With the fall of Bijapur in 1687 Miraj passed into the hands of the Mughals and remained so until it was captured by Chhatrapati Shahu on 3 October 1739 in a campaign that lasted for two years. Thus the remnant of the old Moghal power almost bordering on the Maratha capital was wiped once for and all. It was one of the many pockets of the Moghals which threatened the Maratha dominions, the others being Raigad, Gopalgad, Govindgad, etc. In 1761 the fort of Miraj was awarded by Peshva Madhavrao to Gopalrao Patwardhan. The Patwardhans of Miraj as they were called now played a stellar role in Peshwa campaigns against Haider & Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
.
Modern history
Miraj Senior
Maraj Senior was a princely states of British India, under the southern division of the Bombay Presidency, forming part of the southern Mahratta Jagirs, and later the Deccan States Agency. The State of Miraj was founded before 1750 and was the former capital of the pre-British State of Sangli. In...
. It was one of the full powered princely states of British India, under the southern division of the Bombay Presidency
Bombay Presidency
The Bombay Presidency was a province of British India. It was established in the 17th century as a trading post for the English East India Company, but later grew to encompass much of western and central India, as well as parts of post-partition Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.At its greatest...
, forming part of the southern Mahratta
Mahratta
Mahratta may refer to* the Maratha caste, a ruling class of the Indian subcontinent* the Maratha EmpireShips*SS Mahratta , lost in a collision with SS Victoria in 1887 in the River Hoogly.* SS Mahratta , lost on the Goodwin Sands in 1909....
Jagir
Jagir
In historic India, a jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service...
s, and later the Deccan States Agency
Deccan States Agency
The Deccan States Agency was a unit of British India exercising suzerainty over a number of princely states. The agency was created in the 1930s, and was composed of a number of princely states in western India, located in the present-day Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka...
. The State of Miraj was founded before 1750 and was the former capital of the pre-British Patwardhan territory that extended between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra. In 1820, the Patwardhan territory was divided between a Senior and Junior branch. The territory of both branches was widely scattered among other native states and British districts.
The rulers, of the Patwardhan dynasty, used the title of Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
, and were of the same clan that ruled nearby Sangli
Sangli
Sangli is a city in the state of Maharashtra of India. Sangli is known as the Turmeric city for its vast production of Turmeric. Sangli is situated on the banks of river Krishna and is the largest market place for Turmeric in Asia and houses many sugar factories, which it is also noted for...
, Budhgaon, Jamkhandi, Tasgaon, Kurindwad, Madavpur (Kurundwad Junior) and Wadi. Actually all of them are offshoots of the original Miraj Jagir. Raja Govind Rao Patwardhan, 1st Ruler of Miraj, began as a commandant of the body of horse, distinguished himself in several expeditions against the Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
of Hyderabad
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
and Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers...
of Mysore, established the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
ascendancy in southern India and pushed the Maratha conquests to the frontier of Mysore.
Miraj Senior measured 339 square miles (878 km²) in area. According to the 1901 census, the population was 81,467. In 1901, the state enjoyed revenue estimated at £23,000-, and paid £800 in tribute to the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. The Raja resided in the town of Miraj (population 18,425 in 1901), which was a junction on the Southern Mahratta Railway.
Miraj Senior acceded to the Dominion of India
Dominion of India
The Dominion of India, also known as the Union of India or the Indian Union , was a predecessor to modern-day India and an independent state that existed between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950...
on March 8, 1948 and is currently a part of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
.
Noted artists
Pt. Vishnu Digambar PaluskarVishnu Digambar Paluskar
Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was a Hindustani musician. He sung the original version of the bhajan Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram.-Early life and background:...
, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Pt. Bhatkhande, Hirabai Badodekar
Hirabai Badodekar
Hirābai Barodekar was a renowned Indian Hindustāni classical music singer, of Kirana gharana. She also sang along with her younger sister, Saraswati Rane, whom she also trained, in jugalbandi style.-Early life and background:...
and Pt. Vinayakrao Patwardhan are famous artists from Miraj. Bal Gandharva
Bal Gandharva
Narayan Shripad Rajhans , better known as Bal Gandharva was one of the greatest Marathi singers and stage actors. He was famous for his roles of female characters in Marathi plays, since women were not allowed to act on stage during his time....
made his debut performance at HansPrabha Theatre in Miraj. At the same place stands the newly built Balgandharva Natyagruha that has been named after him. Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the doyen of the Kirana gharana, lies interred within the compounds of the Khvaja Samsuddin Mira Saheb dargah and Annual music festival is organised in his memory at the dargah
Dargah
A Dargah is a Sufi shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure, often a Sufi saint. Local Muslims visit the shrine known as . Dargahs are often associated with Sufi meeting rooms and hostels, known as khanqah...
. Because of this rich tradition of Hindustani Classical Music, it is a matter of pride for artistes to perform here in Miraj on occasion of Urus or Navratrotsav. The Administrative Office of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya is an institution established in 1939 to popularize Indian classical music and dance.The Mahavidyalaya came into being to perpetuate the memory of Pandit Vishnu Digamber Paluskar, the great reviver of Hindustani classical music, and to keep up the ideals set down by him....
is situated at Miraj.
String instruments
Miraj is the place where one can get finest of the Indian String instruments such as SitarSitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
, Sarod
Sarod
The sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. Along with the sitar, it is the most popular and prominent instrument in the classical music of Hindustan...
and Tanpura. These are made of wood and specially treated gourds. This art was pioneered by Faridsaheb Sitarmaker in 18th century and is still practiced by his descendants.
Railway
Miraj is an important junction on the Central RailwayCentral Railway
The Central Railway is one of the largest of the 16 zones of Indian Railways. Its headquarters is in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus...
. Until recently, it was the only junction to have all three rail gauge
Rail gauge
Track gauge or rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the heads of the two load bearing rails that make up a single railway line. Sixty percent of the world's railways use a standard gauge of . Wider gauges are called broad gauge; smaller gauges, narrow gauge. Break-of-gauge refers...
s - broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
, narrow gauge and metre gauge. The last narrow gauge train departed on 1 November 2008. Now Miraj has only broad gauge railway tracks. It is connected by railway to Pune on the north, Kurduvadi
Kurduvadi
Kurduvadi or Kurudwadi is a small town in Solapur district in Maharashtra state of India. It is known mainly for the railway junction connecting two different rail gauge tracks.-Geography:Kurduvadi / Kurduwadi is located at...
via Pandharpur
Pandharpur
Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage city on the Bhimā river in Solāpur district, Maharashtra, India. The Vithoba temple attracts about half a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yātrā in the month of Ashadh ....
on north-northeast and Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
and Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
on the south. Passenger trains from Kolhapur to Solapur
Solapur
Solapur is a city in South Western Maharashtra, India governed by municipal corporation.Solapur is one of the four districts that form the region of Western Maharashtra . It is the fourth largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area and seventh largest in terms of population...
started running on the converted Miraj-Pandharpur-Kurduvadi broad gauge track in February 2011.
Road
Miraj can be reached from Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore national highway NH4.- Exit NH4 at Pethvati Naka Chouraya while driving from north (from MumbaiMumbaiMumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and PunePunePune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
). - Exit NH4 at Shiroli Naka while driving from south (from GoaGoaGoa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, BelgaumBelgaumBelgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
or BangaloreBangaloreBengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
).
The two exits on NH4 form a triangle with the twin cities of Sangli and Miraj and are about 50 km from each exit. Though the time taken to travel depends on speed and other factors and may vary to a large extent, Mumbai is about 7 hours drive from Miraj and Bangalore is about 11 hours drive from Miraj.
Medical facilities
Miraj has the unique distinction of the highest per capita number of hospitals in India. The city boasts of two medical collegesMedical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
and more than a hundred private clinics and hospitals. Miraj's main sources of notability lie in its large number of hospitals and a medium sized stringed instrument industry. It was famous in the 19th century for Vaidyas, as practitioners of traditional Ayurvedic medicine are known.
The Wanless Hospital, a major teaching hospital, was founded in Miraj in 1894 by Dr. Sir William James Wanless
William James Wanless
Sir William James Wanless, M.D., F.A.C.S. was a Canadian born surgeon, humanitarian and Presbyterian missionary who founded a medical mission in Miraj, India in 1894 and led it for nearly 40 years...
(1865 to 1933) a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
missionary physician working on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of the United States
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
. The hospital has served the people of the area for over one hundred years. Wanless was knighted for his service to humanity by King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1928.
Dr. R. K. Padhi, an Indian cardiac surgeon trained in Canada, and Dr. A. G. Fletcher, a general and thoracic surgeon from the USA, performed the first successful open-heart operation in India at Miraj in April 1962.
Miraj also boasts of the Government Medical College. It is an old institute which has reputedly produced some of the finest doctors in the country.
The Miraj Heart Institute is a tertiary referral centre for congenital and acquired cardiac diseases as well as thoracic & vascular problems
Vascular disease
Vascular disease is a form of cardiovascular disease primarily affecting the blood vessels.Some conditions, such as angina and myocardial ischemia, can be considered both vascular diseases and heart diseases .Cigarette smoking is the major risk factor....
, both elective as also emergent, providing for the medical needs of patients from the States of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
.
Major hospitals
- Wanless HospitalWilliam James WanlessSir William James Wanless, M.D., F.A.C.S. was a Canadian born surgeon, humanitarian and Presbyterian missionary who founded a medical mission in Miraj, India in 1894 and led it for nearly 40 years...
- Siddhivinayak Ganpati Cancer Hospital
- Government Medical College Hospital
- Lions Nab Hospital
- Bharati Hospital
- Gulabrao PatilGulabrao PatilGulabrao Patil was a Co-operative Leader, Member of Parliament -Rajya Sabha India from 1966–1978, an Member of the Legislative Council of Maharashtra 1983-87 and President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee 1981-82.Famous quote: Power without Prestige, is a Gun without ...
Homeopathy Medical Hospital & College - Dr.G.S.Kulkarni orthopaedic hospital
- Dr P.B.Magdum Orthopaedic Hospital, MIraj .
- Dadasaheb Chavan Memorial Hospital, Miraj
- Dr.Isapure Orthopaedic Hospital & Trauma Centre
- Sortur Hospital, Miraj.
- Chadda Hospital, Dental Specialist.
- paramshetti Hospital,miraj
Major School
- Adarsh shikshan mandir, Miraj
- Gulabrao Patil Trust's Cambridge School (State & CBSE Boards), Miraj
- Jawahar High School and Jr. College Miraj
- New English School Miraj
- Ideal English School
- Miraj High School
- Mahila Vikas Vidyalay Miraj
- Vidya Mandir Miraj
- Kanya shala Miraj
- R.M High School
- Al-Fatah English School,Miraj
- Alphonso convent school,Miraj
Places of worship
Miraj dargah was built about 700 years ago. The dargah is called as Khaja Meersaheb dargah and is known for its secularism as people of all faiths and religions visit this dargah. A music festival is held every year and reformed musicians and singers perform here.Annual Ganeshotsav is celebrated on the last day of which there is a "Ganesh Visarjan Miravanook" in which thousands of people participate actively. every Navratri, there is a music concert at Ambabai Temple.The Rosary Church is situated near the Railway station and is 104 years old though it was rededicated in 2006. The annual feast of Our Lady of Good Health [8th Sep ] attracts a huge crowd.
See also
- Sir William James WanlessWilliam James WanlessSir William James Wanless, M.D., F.A.C.S. was a Canadian born surgeon, humanitarian and Presbyterian missionary who founded a medical mission in Miraj, India in 1894 and led it for nearly 40 years...
- Founder of Wanless Hospital.