Karvir Riyasat

ivaji Maharaj. of Maratha Empire and the rulers of these states were actually the military chiefs of the Chhatrapati and not crowned kings or the founder of the states (they became "Maharajas" in British Rule with the help of East India Company); The Chhatraptis of Kolhapur are the direct descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and as this, they were Emperors of The Maratha Empire and fully sovereign kings until 1st March, 1949. Even in British Rule, The Chhatrapati of Kolhapur had full powers to rule the country and the maratha rulers with 21 Gun Salutes had to bow before Chhatrapati. The present Chhatrapti of Kolhapur or Karvir Riyasat is "Shrimant Kshatriyakulawantas Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj" and he is 12th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the 14th Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire.