Chintamanrao Appasaheb Patwardhan

• Chintamanrao Appasaheb पटवर्धन

He was born on 14th Feb.1890. He completed his education from Rajkumar College, Rajkot. He stood first in English and secured a gold medal. He then worked under the guidance of Capt.Burke, an able administrator. On June 2, 1910 he took over as the ruler of Sangli. The rule of Sangli was spread over Solapur, Sangli, Satara and Belgum. Between 1905 to 1910 he continued the practice of Rayat Sabhas, started by Capt. Burke, to get a first hand knowledge of the problems of the people. In order to have a good administration, he inducted retired ICS officers and high court judges.

Rajasaheb introduced many agricultural reforms during his reign. He undertook scientific survey of the natural resources in Sangli and on that basis he introducted improvements. He built small dams, bandharas, talis in order to increase area under irrigation. He started many schemes to increase the production of milk also. Rajasaheb introduced 'Gramodyog Yojana' to develop the rural areas. He played a major role in starting the Sangli District Co-operative Bank with share capital of Rs.2 lakhs. In the field of industries, he encouraged Dadasaheb Velankar to start the Shri Gajanan Mills and helped Shirgaonkar brothers to start Sugar factory at Sangli. He also established the Sangli Bank with his personal capital. Rajasaheb played a major role in the spread of education in Sangli. He made primary education free as well as compulsory. He took lead in establishing Willingdon College and Engineering college at Sangli. The state also was a pioneer in giving adult education and schools exclusively for girls.

in 1960, the people of Sangli celebrated with grate fronts, the 70th birthday of Rajasaheb. The Indian government awarded him the 'Padmabhushan'.

Rajasaheb left for his heavenly abode on 23 Feb.1965.