Shahaji II
Shahaji II of the Bhonsle dynasty of the Marathas, was the Maharaja of Kolhapur between 1947 and 1949. He was the grandson of Maharaj Shahu of Kolhapur through his daughter Maharani Radhabai and hence nephew of Maharaj Rajaram III of Kolhapur.
He was educated at Daly College, Indore, where he was noted for his proficiency in both academics and sports, particularly tennis and cricket—interests he maintained throughout his life as a patron of Maratha athletic traditions.
Following the political complications that led his father to seek asylum in Pondicherry, Vikramsinhrao took charge of the state administration as President of the Council on 26 July 1934. He formally ascended the gadi of Dewas Senior on 21 December 1937. His tenure was characterised by a deep personal interest in Maratha history and administrative modernisation. During World War II, he demonstrated his dynasty’s martial heritage by serving on the front lines. He was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry and served with distinction in the North African campaign. For his military service and leadership, he was mentioned in despatches and later appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India in 1941.
The Kolhapur Succession and Abdication
A historic shift occurred in 1947 following the untimely death of Maharaja Shivaji VI of Kolhapur without a direct heir. By virtue of his maternal descent from Rajarshi Shahu, Vikramsinhrao was adopted into the Bhonsle dynasty of Kolhapur. On 31 March 1947, he was installed as Maharaja Shahaji II of Kolhapur. To ensure the continuity of both houses, he performed a rare act of abdication, resigning the throne of Dewas Senior in favor of his son, Krishnajirao III. This made him the first Puar prince to sit upon the throne of the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur. Shortly after his accession, he oversaw the merger of Kolhapur State into the Dominion of India, subsequently serving as a Major-General in the Indian Army.
Legacy and Succession
Maharaja Shahaji II was a renowned patron of Kushti ; he established several akharas and famously supported Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, who won India’s first individual Olympic medal in 1952. Upon his death on 9 May 1983, the titular succession of Kolhapur followed a unique path. Since his son Krishnajirao III was already the Maharaja of Dewas Senior, the Kolhapur title passed to his grandson,Shahu II of Kolhapur.