An aesthetic land of the artists, is an integral part of the Konkan region which is in the mid-westen coastmid-wen stercoastof India. The Princely State of Sawantwadi was ruled by the Royal Family of Sawant Bhonsles’. The Palace of Sawantwadi built by Khem Sawant III during his reign from 1755 – 1803 stands as a pride of the city. The Royal Palace of Sawantwadi is truly an architectural masterpiece that effortlessly merges the English arches with the native workmanship and the vibrant red laterite stones. The bricked brown walls add to the ethnicity of this two-storied Palace and makes it a unique, unmissable tourist attraction of Sawantwadi. The Palace has a beautiful façade square at the centre covered with an immaculate lawn and is surrounded with rooms on all four sides which is converted into a Museum. History states that the ministers and the officials of the court used to reside in these rooms during the rule. The Palace vicinity encompasses extensive gardens, trees and indeed the magnificent structure which sits pretty in the midst of this landscaped garden. The Strategic location of the Palace with the coconut grove facing the Moti Talav further strengthens the imposing posture of the Royal Residence. The man-made lake was built in 1874. Moti Talav, located in the heart of the city, gives a beautiful panoramic view of the Narendra Hill. A bridge cuts through the lake and there is a paved pathway running around the water body, a popular hangout spot among the locals of Sawantwadi. The Palace entrance is through the Lester Gate which was built in 1895. The foundation stone of the Palace Darbar Hall was laid by His Excellency the Governor of Mumbai, Sir James Fergusson on 21st March 1881. The Hall was completed during the reign of Raghunath Sawant Bhonsle. The Darbar Hall floor is laden with tiles which are assembled strategically so as to resemble a flower. The ceiling of the Darbar Hall is embedded with etched zinc plates and arranged to form floral motifs. The Darbar Hall was used as the hall of audience by the King and all the male officials of the State. It has balconies on both sides which were used by the Royal ladies to hear the proceedings. The two elegant chandeliers in the hall date back to the 1880s. The Darbar Hall was officially used last time for the coronation of the Present King Rajesaheb Khem Sawant VI. The Mulpurush (first man) of the Sawant Bhonsle, Mangal or Mang Sawant belonged to the Sisodiya Rajput family from Udaipur. The Gadi/Kingdom of the Sawant Bhonsle dynasty was founded by Khem Sawant I in 1627. He was rewarded Jagir from the Bijapur Adilshahis and later made himself independent. Lakham Sawant was a very brave and dutiful ruler. He along with his nephew Khem Sawant II with the army of 12000 defeated Kudal Deshastha, took possession of their land and later established themselves at Narendra Hill. The first Palace (Juna Kot) was built by them atop Narendra Hill. He had also established his own Navy. After his demise, Khem Sawant II succeeded him. Khem Sawant II established his capital at Sundarwadi (now Sawantwadi), a hamlet of the village Charathe which later came to be known as Sawantwadi as the rulers were known as Sawants. Khem Sawant III was a very spiritual man. Historically, it is a well known fact that in the 17th and 18th centuries a number of learned Brahmins from Andhra and Telangana areas visited Sawantwadi to hold discourses in Dharmashashtra with Khem Sawant III. He was considered to be an unchallenged authority on Dharmashastra. The Brahmins brought with them the art of Ganjifa and lacquerware to Sawantwadi at that time. Khem Sawant III was granted Morchel and the dignified title of Raje Bahadur in 1785 by the then Mughal Emperor. The Palace has witnessed the ordinance of 8 gallant rulers after Khem Sawant III and it still continues to witness two generations after them who are filled with a glowing pride about their family and their great heritage of the art of Ganjifa and Lacquerware. The most notable king of Sawantwadi was Pancham Khemraj alias Bapusaheb Maharaj. He was coronated on 29th October 1924. When Mahatma Gandhi visited Sawantwadi in 1927, he called Bapusaheb Maharaj as ‘Ramraja’ and his kingdom as ‘Ramrajya’. He passed away on 4th July 1937. In his small tenure from 1924 to 1937, he proved himself a great administrator and an ‘Ascently King’. He had devoted himself for the welfare and uplifting of his people and the terrain where they lived. He was succeeded by his son Shivramraje Bhonsle, but he being a minor at the time, Bapusaheb’s wife Parvatidevi looked after the State as a Regent. The administration of the Sawantwadi State during her regency was marked by several reforms and progress in education. Rajesaheb Shivramraje Bhonsle was coronated on 12th May 1947. Rajesaheb and his wife Rajmata Satvashiladevi are responsible for reviving the dying art of Ganjifa and lacquerware of Sawantwadi. They established Sawantwadi Lacquerwares in 1971 and managed to take the art form to the international market. He established South Ratnagiri District Shikshan Prasarak Mandal and started Shri. Pancham Khemraj Mahavidylaya in 1961. To promote women empowerment, he established Maharashtra State Handicrafts. Such an ideal leader passed away on 13th July 1995. After the demise of Rajesaheb, his wife Rajmata Satvashiladevi continued her efforts in reviving and promoting the Ganjifa art. She was a master craftswoman in her own right in lacquerware, hand weaving and hand embroidery and she had also won awards for it. She truly devoted herself and took keen interest in the growth and sustenance of this art form. She passed away on 18th July 2018 leaving behind the treasure of Ganjifa and Lacquerware art. The Sawant Bhonsle family today is persistent in upholding the art of Ganjifa and Lacquerware. Currently residing in the Palace are Rajesaheb Khem Sawant VI, Ranisaheb Shubhadadevi Khem Sawant Bhonsle, Yuvraj Lakham Khem Sawant Bhonsle and Yuvrani Shraddha Lakham Sawant Bhonsle. Not only are they trying to uphold what was once revived, but they are also taking Sawantwadi Lacquerwares one step ahead by starting a boutique hotel whose centre focus will be revolving around Sawantwadi Ganjifa.
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