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PLACES
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SINDKHED RAJA
Sindkhed Raja (Mehkar T.; 19°57' N.; 76°10' E., p. 7105): situated 32 miles to the south-west of Mehkar, this village derived its name, it is said, from the king Sindurama who is said to have founded it. Another derivation of the name is from Siddha Kshetra, i.e., a village of saints. However, it appears that the village probably derived its name from the sindi trees in which it abounds.
The paragana of Sindkhed was granted as jahagir to the Kazi of the town in about 1450 A.D., and was after about a century made over by him to the Jadhav family, the most famous member of which was Lakhuji, the father of Jijabai and the grandfather of Shivaji, the Great. Lakhuji was, according to one account, a Rajput from Karauli. According to another, the family claimed descent from the Yadavas of Devagiri. Lakhuji obtained a command of 10,000 horse under the Ahmadnagar government. Afterwards, however, he espoused the Moghal cause, receiving a command of 15,000 horse in the imperial army. His daughter was married to Shahaji Bhosle, the father of Shivaji. Notwithstanding this connection the Jadhavs were, except on one occasion, steady imperialists throughout the wars between the Moghals and the Marathas, and held a high rank in the imperial army. The family enjoyed in inam the paragana of Sindkhed for nearly 100 years. In about 1650 an envoy of the Emperor, Murshid Ali Khan, being displeased with the reception given to him by the Jadhavs, restored the jahagir to the descendants of the Kazi to whom the Jahagir was originally granted. To the north-west of the town lies the half-finished fortress built by the Jadhav family, the construction of which was stopped by this envoy. The fort, still an incomplete structure, is of solid black stone cemented with lead, and has a look of immense strength. The fortress is situated right opposite to the office of the panchayat samiti and is a square of about one furlong and is fortified by four rounded bastions on each corner.
The family lost their possessions in 1851 owing to an act of rebellion by Arab troops under their command. Various buildings, tanks and palaces bear testimony to the ancient glories of the house of Jadhavs. The temple of the god Nilakantheshvar to the south-west, supposed to have been built by Hemadpant, is the oldest structure in the village. It bears an inscription which, however, has become illegible, being some feet under water in the tank nearby the temple.
Sindkhed was held by the Shindes for nearly 60 years and was restored to the Nizam in 1803. It is described by Wellesley in 1804 as being a nest of thieves. The decline of the village was hastened by marauders whose names Mohan Singh, Rudlam Khan and Ghazi Khan were long remembered with apprehension. Bajirav II, the last of the Peshvas, while pursued by the English in 1818 encamped for some days near this village. It is surrounded by good mango groves.
There are two tanks to the west of the village, one of which has a lofty masonry embankment and supplied water for irrigation purposes to the fields below. It is known as Moti Talav and by its side now passes the Jalna-Sindkhed Raja road. The embankment is still in a good condition excepting that grass has grown extensively on the crevices. The irrigation canal is built in stone masonry. There is also a stepped passage going up to the water level. From the embankment also, there are steps leading up to the water level. From the passage and the canal top one can have an excellent view of the tank, the expanse of which is very wide, but it is getting silted up. At present, it is utilised for pisciculture by the Fisheries department. Arrangement prevails to let the water out when the water level falls. The Zilla Parishad had made arrangement for the clearance of the passage whenever it is blocked.
Lakhuji's Palace.- Lakhuji Jadhav's extensive palace, the birthplace of Jijabai, except for its massive gate of stone and bricks and underground chambers, lies in total ruins. Above the gate is a drum chamber (nagarkhana). The cells are reported to have been cleared of debris and silt about four to five years back. In the underground chambers, still in good condition was housed the basic training college for some time.
Ranga Mahal.— Situated to the west of the town is Ranga Mahal, a building neglected and practically in ruins. The hall where Jijabai and Shahaji Bhosale as children indulged in the game of Rangpanchami, when Lakhuji Jadhav pronounced them as an excellent match for each other is still in good condition. It is supported on wooden pillars. The front has four open and two embedded pillars. Besides those pillars that line the front, there are two double open pillars and two similar pilasters in the wall. The bases as well as the capitals of the pillars bear fine specimens of carved wood work. The ceiling is of wooden planks and has a terrace. It seems that the upper storey has collapsed. At present a primary school is housed in the hall.
Lakhuji Jadhav Memorial.— A memorial to Lakhuji Jadhav stands in the form of a masonry structure 40' x 40' with a brick dome crowning the samadhi of Lakhuji right below which is also installed a linga. Two stairways on both the sides of the main entrance lead up to the terrace. Of these one is blocked. The main entrance is flanked by impressive statues of lions depicted in the pose of killing elephants. To the right of the main entrance, is an illegible inscription.
By the side of the tomb is a temple dedicatect to Rameshvara with a ruined brick wall enclosure. The temple is said to have been built by Lakhuji Jadhav in response to his mother's wishes. It is a masonry construction with a brick shikhara. The upper portion of the temple is constructed in bricks. Facing the linga are two defaced Nandi statues. Some broken images of deities are scattered outside the enclosure.
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