Rajaram III


Rajaram III of the Bhonsle dynasty, was Maharaja of Kolhapur from 1922–1940, succeeding his father Maharaja Shahu. A benevolent ruler, he was instrumental in the uplifting of the dalits and depressed castes in his state. He also established the Kolhapur High Court, modern housing developments, an updated water-supply system, free primary education and higher-level female education.
As he only left a daughter "Princess Padmaraje Raghujiraje Kadambande of Fort Torkhed, Dist. Nandurbar at his death, he was succeeded by a distant relation, Shivaji VII. After Shahaji II, People of Kolhapur State wanted Grandchild of Shrimant Rajaram & Son of Princess Padmaraje Kadambande, Shrimant Rajwardhan Raghujiraje Kadambande to succeed the Throne of Kolhapur being the direct descendant of Rajarshi Shahu & Rajaram. Lakhs of people agitated for the same.

Titles

  • 1897–1922: Shrimant Yuvaraja Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Bhonsle
  • 1922–1924: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur
  • 1924–1927: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCIE
  • 1927–1931: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCIE
  • 1931–1937: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE
  • 1937–1940: Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE
  • 1940: Brigadier His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram III Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE

Honours