Akkalkot State

Akkalkot State was a Maratha princely state during the British Raj, ruled by the Bhonsle dynasty. It was a non-salute state under the Deccan States Agency and bordered Hyderabad State and the Bombay Presidency. The state covered 1,290 square kilometers and had a population of 82,047 in 1901, with Akkalkot town having 8,348 residents that year. By 1911, its revenue was Rs.26,586, and it paid a tribute of Rs.1,000 to the British Raj.

The ruling dynasty descended from Fatehsing Bhonsle, who was adopted by Chhattrapati Shahu in 1708. Akkalkot remained a fief under Satara until 1848, when the British deposed Satara's rulers, recognizing Akkalkot as a separate princely state. The family married into major Maratha ruling houses due to their stability and lineage ties to Shivaji.

After India's independence in 1947, Akkalkot acceded to the Dominion of India and merged with Bombay Presidency. Nirmalaraje Bhosale, a Baroda princess by birth, served as Minister for States in the Bombay government. The rulers included Fatehsinh I (1707-1760), Shahaji I (1760-1789), Fatehsinh II (1789-1822), Maloji I (1822-1823), Shahaji II (1823-1857), Maloji II (1857-1870), Shahaji III (1870-1896), and later Vijayasinhrao (1915-1952) and Jayasinhrao (1952-1965). From 1965, a regency under Sanyuktaraje Jaysinhrao Bhonsle managed the state, with Malojiraje III as the adopted heir.