Gadkaris Revolt (1844-45)

Revolts against new administrative reforms occurred in Kolhapur and Savantvadi states
of Maratha or Maharastra area. These two states, along with a few others, passed under the supremacy of the British as a result of the third Maratha War. The British relations with these two states had been greatly strained due to its new administrative reforms. Early in 1844, Dajee Krishna Pandit, a member of the Bombay civil service, was appointed minister of Kolhapur state. He introduced reforms in accordance with the British system, which were resented by the privileged classes of the old regime. The commercial privileges enjoyed by the British aroused the hostility of the trading classes. These elements spread discontent against the British among common people, and excited them to rise in armed revolt.

These Gadkaris were military classes who garrisoned Maratha forts and enjoyed lands
for their service. After the Third Maratha war their services were dispensed with, and they had to pay revenues for the lands they held. This was a cause of great irritation as the Gadkaris were very possesive of their proprietary rights on lands. D.K. Pandit took away some other privileges of the Gadkaris, such as allowances for goats at Dussera and money presents at Diwali, and also began the counting of Jack trees and houses for taxation. All these highly irritated the Gadkaris and matters were brought to a head when D.K. Pandit reduced the number
of Mamlatdars from 23 to 6. This reform was disliked by the Gadkaris as they were attached to their hereditary Mamlatdars, and they now feared that all their privileges and rights would be gradually taken away. Being encouraged by the sympathy of the people and promises of help by the nobility, and further encouraged by the report of British troops, the Gadkaris broke into an
open revolt in September, 1844. They closed the gates of the forts of Bhudargadh and Samangadh against the newly appointed Mamlatdars.

The repulse of the British force who attacked the fort of Samangadh and the delay in recapturing the two forts provoked a rebellion in the city of Kolhapur. On October 4, 1844 the Patacks and Sibandis a kind of local militia joined the rebellion, and with the help of the palace guards seized D.K. Pandit and other officers who were favorable to British interests. The Diwan Sahib, the late Regent, and the nobles now openly espoused the cause of the rebels.
Some old Ministers who had been turned out by the British were recalled and made to take charge of the administration. These events turned the rising of the Gadkaris into a general popular revolt against the British. All the forts in the Kolhapur state were in a state of revolt, and the insurgents began to raid adjoining British districts. Extensive military measures had to be taken before the situation was brought under control. The principal forts were retaken by the
end of 1844 and complete tranquility was restored by February, 1845.

The initial success of the revolt in Kolhapur led to a similar revolt in Savantvadi by the
garrisons of Vadi and Manohar forts. By the middle of December, 1844, the whole state was in full revolt and the British authority was confined to the town and the few military posts in the state. The rebels received support in every way by the people. Martial law was proclaimed on
14 January, 1845. By the end of the month the backbone of the revolt was broken by the reduction of the forts of Manohar and Mimtoshghar and peace was restored by the middle of the year.