Kagal

History

During the rule of the Marathas and British raj, the town was the seat of a noble Ghatge Maratha family who were among the most important in princely state of Kolhapur.

Sultan Mahmud Padshah, the Muslim ruler of Bijapur, rewarded in 1572 the Kagal dynasty founder Piraji Raje, an adventurous Rajput warrior from Udaipur (Mewar Kingdom in Rajputana) of the Rathod clan, known as Zunzar Rao (Valiant Fighter), with the title Sarjerao and the Kagal pargana, then consisting of 69 and a 1/2 villages, as a Jagir (vassal estate) within the princely state of Kolhapur (later a salute state). The name of his dynastic line came corrupted to Ghatge 'Jump ahead'. During incessant 19th century warfare and depredations, some of the villages were lost, reducing their number to 41, covering 298 km2, as guaranteed by article 3 of the Treaty entered into by the Maharaja of Kolhapur with the British Government in 1826.

Rajput dynasty, split and branches

Jagirdars of (all) Kagal

Shrimant Pirajirao Tulojirao Ghatge I, founder of Kagal State, son of Shrimant Tuljojirao Kamrajrao Ghatge

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Vithoji Ghatge

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Mahadji Ghatge Sarjerao

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Vithoji Ghatge II Sarjerao

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Pirajirao Ghatge Sarjerao

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Tuljojirao Ghatge Sarjerao

Under the last chief of all Kagal, the estate was split into two jagirs, with the title of Sarjerao remaining with the Junior line, while the Senior line enjoy the title of “Sarjerao Vajarat-ma-ab”.

Jagirdars of Kagal Senior

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Sakharam Bapu Ghatge Sarjerao Vajarat-ma-ab

Meherban Shrimant Jaisinhrao Narayanrao [Abasaheb] Ghatge Sarjerao Vajarat-ma-ab, 4th Chief of Kagal-Senior -/1885, adopted from Kagal Junior (see below), born about 1856, Regent of suuzerai state Kolhapur

whose eldest son Meherban Shrimant Yeshwantrao Jaisinhrao Ghatge was adopted to the Kolhapur gaddi' (Hindu throne) as Colonel HH Maharajah Sir Shri Shahu I Chhatrapati

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Sir Pirajirao Jaisinhrao Ghatge [Bapusaheb Ghatge] Sarjerao Vajarat-ma-ab, 5th Raja Saheb of Kagal-Senior 1885/1926, born 1876, K.B.E., C.I.E. [cr.1906], C.S.I. [cr.1911]

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Jaisinhrao Pirajirao Ghatge Sarjerao Vajarat-ma-ab, 6th Raja Saheb of Kagal-Senior 1926/-

His descendants still hold the nominal title of Raja Saheb

Jagirdars of Kagal Junior

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Narayanrao Ghatge Sarjerao Deshmukh, 1st Chief of Kagal-Junior; his son was adopted as jagirdar of Kahal senior (see above)

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Dattajirao Narayanrao [Kaka Sahib] Ghatge Sarjerao Deshmukh, 2nd Chief of Kagal-Junior, born 1874, adopted from Kagal Senior

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Yeshwantrao Dattajirao Ghatge Sarjerao Deshmukh

Meherban Shrimant Rajamanya Rajashri Ajitsinh Yeshwantrao Ghatge Sarjerao Deshmukh

Geography

Kagal is a taluka in Kolhapur district. It is located at boundary of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Chatrapati Shahu Sahakari Sakar Karkhana is located here. The Dudhganga river passes through Kagal. Kagal is located at 16.58°N 74.32°E / 16.58; 74.32. It has an average elevation of 553 metres (1814 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kagal had a population of 23,775. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kagal has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 64%. In Kagal, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Marathi is the predominant native language spoken here,it being the official language.

Notable locals

Kanal is the birthplace of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The Sahitya Academy Award winner Anand Yadav born in this city. Gopal Krishna Gokhale did his primary education at Kagal.

The Kagal-Hatkanangale industrial area

The Kagal-Hatkanangale industrial area is situated 12 km from Kolhapur city and the airport.

The nearest railway station is at Kolhapur 13 km away from the industrial area and which is well connected with almost all the cities of India. The industrial area is located 3 km from the National Highway 4 (Mumbai-Bangalore).

The Karnataka State boundary is just 3  km from this estate and Belagavi, a city just 70 km from the estate.

Nearest port is Kolhapur (12 km) Ratnagiri port is 110 km and Panaji(Goa)and Dabolim airport 210 km. Two other major cities Pune and Mumbai are well connected with the National Highway and railways.

The other major industrial areas: Shiroli, Udyamnagar in Kolhapur and Gokul-shirgaon are just 12 km, 15 km and 5 km from this area & the main Industry is being now named 5-star MIDC there are a lots of very big budget companies coming. Some information about 5-start MIDC is given below.

Infrastructure in Kagal-Hatkanangale industrial area

Electricity

MSEB have proposed separate 33 x 11 kV substation within this Estate having 5 MVA capacity. 24 hours uninterrupted electricity supply is available.

Water

MIDC has developed a water supply scheme to cater 20.5 million liters per day of water at present. The Scheme envisages an ultimate capacity of 41.0 million liters per day. The water is sourced from Dudhganga river 9 km away. Kagal has not Lack of Water since too many years.

Roads

The industrial estate is located on Mumbai-Bangalore NH. No.4 at a distance of 20 km from Kolhapur town. This estate is well connected with road network and Ratnagiri port and Panaji (Goa) is near for sea transport.

Connectivity

An electronic exchange has been provided within the Kolhapur city. The exchange provides ISD, STD and an Internet Network along with other modern facilities.

Residential Facilities

A residential zone is provided within the estate. Residential facilities can also be availed in Kolhapur & Kagal city which is just 20 km away.

Support Facilities

MSEB has proposed to provide power supply through their existing sub-station outside industrial area.MIDC has planned to provide fire station and police station. Common facilities building and other recreation facilities as per need.

Sports

Kagal has got history of Shahu Maharaj, who was also known as a great wrestler. Being called a City of Wrestlers, Kagal has produced many sportsman in various games like wrestling, volleyball. Like any other town in Kolhapur district Kagal lacks professionalism in sports and could not produce sportsmen at higher level. There is a huge cricket ground near NH4 but it is not being utilized properly. A lot of expectations are there from local politics to give support for development of sports culture in Kagal and surrounding area.

Temples

Gaibee Peer Dargah,

Ganesh Mandir,

Ram Mandir,

Shri Swami Samartha Seva Kendra,

Hanuman Mandir,

Laxmi Mandir