New Palace Museum Kolhapur

New Palace, Kolhapur: An Architectural Testimony to Maratha Glory

The New Palace, situated in Kolhapur, is also referred to as "Maharaja's New Palace" or "Shahu Palace."

It is a depiction of the historical glory of the Maratha royal family.

Construction and architecture

Construction period: 1877-1884 (7 years).

Cost: Approximately $7 million
Designer: Major Mant
Used in construction: shiny black stone (basalt).
Shape: octagonal structure, clock tower in the center (45 m high, erected in 1877).

Architectural style: A combination of Jain-Hindu influences, especially Rajasthani and Gujarati influences.
Mukhabhinaya: Neo-Mughal at the bottom and temple-like pillars and brackets at the top.
Further features: trifoil arch and dome, small domes at each corner.

Kolhapur: A City of Mythology, Military, and Cultural Heritage

Mythological context
Kolhapur is mentioned in the Devi Gita (the last and one of the most important chapters of the Devi Bhagavata Purana).
Goddess Kollamma is worshipped here, who is a special form of Shakti worship.
This is why Kolhapur is a very important pilgrimage site for Shakta worshippers.

Kolhapur's place in Maratha history
Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha power in the 17th century.
After Shivaji died in 1680, the Mughals resumed their attacks and pushed the Maratha power into the hilly regions.
Shivaji did not decide on a successor, which led to a domestic dispute between the two clans for thirty years.
In 1710, the Maratha power in the north and south was divided.

The Rise of the Kolhapur Dynasty
Kolhapur was the capital of Shivaji's younger son's clan.
At first, they stayed in Panhala fort, but later the capital was shifted to Kolhapur city. There were fewer opportunities for war and expansion on the Southern Frontier because there were stronger rivals in the South:
The Nizam of Hyderabad

The Mizo Army of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan

Mughal General Zulfiqar Khan

British rule and intervention.
During the 19th century, the British carried out several military expeditions to capture Kolhapur (1820, 1840, 1857).
The soldiers of Kolhapur also revolted in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
Later, the British tried to control the kings through strategy and education, not by force.
Several successors were educated, but the plan failed due to premature death.

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj: The Renaissance of Kolhapur

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj ascended the throne in 1894.

He took advantage of British education and started social reform, education, and public welfare work.
During his reign, schools, hospitals, roads, and architectural buildings were built.
Kolhapur then became a cultural and social center.

Center for Sports and Culture
The kings introduced hunting, pig-sticking, and various sports in Kolhapur.
The city becomes an unprecedented combination of heritage, politics, culture, and sports.

Conclusion
Kolhapur is not just a city—it is the last vestige of Maratha history, a puranic pilgrimage, and a holder of royal heritage. From the worship of goddesses to the introduction of education and reforms in the British era, Kolhapur is a glorious chapter in the history of India.