Ramdurg.
RAMDURG is a small State under the Political Agency of Kolhapur and Southern Mahratta jahagirs. Nargund and Ramdurg were two strong forts in the Carnatac erected by Shiwaji, occupied by the Mahrattas in their early struggles. By the favour of the Peshwas the ancestors of the present Ramdurg family were placed in charge of these forts. Yogi Rao, the son of Ram Rao, surnamed Bhave, was confirmed as subhedar of Ramdurg. About 1753 A.D. the jahagir which was managed by Yogi Rao yielded 2 J lacs of rupees, and its holder was required to furnish a contingent of 350 horse-men. Bhaskar Rao, the grand-nephew of the original founder, was succeeded by his adopted son, Venkat Rao, and the sanad of the Sansthan 'Saranjam' was granted by the Peshwa in 1 773 A.D. in the names of Venkat Rao and Yogi Rao. These arrangements continued till 1784 A.D. when Tipu Sultan made further demands which were resisted, and. in consequence, the fort of Ramdurg was blockaded by him. After a siege of seven months, Venkat Rao of Nargund surrendered, and in violation of the terms of capitulation was carried off, as a prisoner, with his whole family, to Mysore.
On the fall of Shrirangpattan in 1792 A.D. Venkat Rao was released, and the Peshwa restored to him Nargund and lands yielding I J lacs, and granted the fort of Ramdurg with lands yielding Rs. 26,000 to Ram Rao. The two branches of the family continued to enjoy their respective States till 1810 A.D., when the Peshwa made a new division of the lands in equal shares between Venkat Rao and Narayan Rao, the sons of Ram Rao. On the fall of the Peshwa the estates were continued to these two Chiefs by an engagement dated 1821 A.D. Narayan Rao died in 1826 A.D. without, male issue and without having obtained permission to adopt a son. But his widow Radhabai, was afterwards allowed to adopt Harihar Rao, the youngest son of the Chief of Nargund, with the name of Ram Rao, retaining the management of the estate into her own hands during her life-time. Nargund subsequently lapsed in 1858 A.D. to the British Government, and Ramdurg was continued in the family of Ram Rao. Ram Rao was allowed to adopt Balwant Rao, a collateral kinsman, who was named Yogi Rao II. alias Bapusaheb. He succeeded to the chiefship in 1872 A.D. Yogi Rao died in 1 878 A.D. and was succeeded by his son, Venkat Rao.
The present Chief, Ram Rao Venkat Rao, is a minor and is being educated at the Rajkumar College, Rajkot. The State is under the management of an administrator appointed by the British Government.
The area of the State is 169 square miles with a population of 37,848 souls. The revenue of the State amounts to nearly two lacs of Rupees.
