PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DIRECTION

BEING THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF SHIVAJI including Shahu Chhatrapati and the last of the dynasty, Pratapsinha, Satara City had always special political importance. As a centre of constitutional political action, since the days of consolidation of British power in western India, it is noteworthy because it was the well- known Rango Bapuji Gupte who went to England on behalf of Pratapsinha, wrote in the English Press, addressed public meetings and members of the then British Parliament in order that justice might be done to the last Maratha Prince and descendant of Shivaji.

In later years Satara, next only to Poona, was in advance of other districts in voicing popular grievances, starting public institutions and throwing up public men before and after the Indian National Congress was inaugurated. Political and Social Conferences were held there and men of all India status in public life spoke to Satara audiences. The District has some newspapers which can boast of many decades of useful existence. It is one of the educationally and industrially advanced districts. Men like Rao Bahadur Pathak, R. P. Karandikar, Rao Bahadur Kale, Sardar Mutalik, Bhaurao Patil, and Khan Bahadur Cooper were notable public men several of whom represented the district in the local and all India legislatives bodies with distinction during the British regime.

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