Sindkhed Raja: Historical Town in Vidarbha Linked to Jijabai and Early Archaeological Finds

thenewsdirt
May 2
5 min read

Sindkhed Raja, located in Vidarbha's Buldhana district, has long occupied a place in the chronicles of Indian history.

Known widely as the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the town contains architectural remains, ancient temples, and archaeological sites that point to a much older and more complex past.

Its historical structures, political transitions, and religious monuments continue to attract interest from visitors, researchers, and cultural institutions.

The origin of the town’s name is attributed to two possibilities. One view links the name to King Sindhurama, who is believed to have founded the settlement.

Another suggests that the area was once known as "Siddha Kshetra", meaning the land of sages, which evolved into the name "Sindkhed". These theories reflect local memory, though definitive documentary evidence from ancient periods is limited.

Political History and Dynastic Control

The earliest recorded reference to Sindkhed Raja in documented history begins during the 15th century. In 1450 CE, the Bahmani Sultanate incorporated the area when Ala-ud-Din Ahmad Shah Bahmani granted the town as a jagir to a local Qazi. This established a formalised administrative presence in the region.

By 1550, the Jadhav dynasty had gained control of Sindkhed Raja. Their rule lasted until 1724, during which time they maintained influence across the region by adjusting their political loyalties between the Ahmadnagar Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. This adaptability allowed them to retain their position through a series of changing alliances and power struggles.

One of the dynasty’s most notable figures was Lakhuji Jadhav, who became historically significant as the father of Jijabai and grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

His Samadhi, located in Sindkhed Raja, is today a centrally protected monument. Lakhuji Jadhav is recorded to have died in July 1629, and his presence in regional history is underscored by both architectural and literary sources.

The early 18th century brought major changes to the political framework of the area. In 1724, Sindkhed Raja came under the dominion of the Nizam of Hyderabad when Chandrasen Jadhav joined his administration.

The Shinde dynasty then took control and governed the area for approximately six decades. In 1803, the Nizam reasserted authority over the town and reinstated the Jadhavs. Their rule came to an end in 1851 after a rebellion by Arab troops under their command led to the loss of the territory. From this point onward, Sindkhed Raja was governed under British administration.

Architectural and Cultural Significance

The most well-known association of Sindkhed Raja is with Rajmata Jijabai, who was born here on 12 January 1598. She played a key role in the upbringing of Shivaji Maharaj and influenced the formation of the Maratha Empire.

Historical references suggest that the discussion around her marriage to Shahaji Raje took place within the palace walls of this town.

The palace, often referred to as the Bhuikot Rajwada, is still standing and has become a focal point for visitors. Located near the Mumbai-Nagpur highway, the palace features a prominent entrance gate and a large courtyard.

A garden has been developed beside it to serve as a public space. A statue of Jijabai has also been installed approximately 247 metres from the town centre, and another attraction called “Jijau Srushti” lies two kilometres from the core of Sindkhed Raja, providing additional displays related to her life and background.

Religious architecture in the town reveals layers of earlier cultural activity. The Nilkanteshwar Temple, which includes an inscription by Lakhuji Jadhav, stands near a large stepped reservoir and showcases regional stonework and religious design.

Another notable religious site is the Hemadpanthi Rameshwar Temple, constructed in the 8th to 10th century period.

Built in the Hemadpanthi style, it uses local black stone and lime without cementing agents, a technique that is characteristic of this architectural form.

Military structures in Sindkhed Raja offer insight into how power was defended and displayed. Kalkoth Fort was constructed during the reign of Rajerao Jagadevrao Jadhav and features walls approximately 20 feet in both width and height.

Another important structure is Sachkarwada, a 40-foot-tall building that includes internal roads, wells, underground storage chambers, and passageways. The entrance of this building is noted for its ornate stone carving and arched layout.

The town also contains several significant water management systems that combine utility with visual design. Moti Lake, built with a fortified front wall, was used for irrigation. The Chaitanya Lake, also called the awning lake, includes a three-storey structure at its centre.

The building houses multiple carved idols and sculptural motifs. Bhajnabai well, once used for distributing water via canal systems, contains a staircase that descends to the water level. Chandani Talav, another water body located roughly 995 metres from the centre of town, is frequented by visitors.

Archaeological Discoveries and Continued Research

In June 2024, the Archaeological Survey of India’s Nagpur Circle made a significant discovery near Lakhuji Jadhav’s Samadhi.

During conservation work, archaeologists noticed a stone alignment that led them to excavate deeper. At a depth of 2.25 metres, they uncovered the base of a temple along with a sabha mandap and a sculpture of Goddess Laxmi. Further excavation revealed a rare sculpture of Sheshashyayi Vishnu.

This sculpture is dated to the sixth-seventh century CE, corresponding to the Chalukya period. Carved from chlorite schist rock, it measures approximately 1.70 metres in length, 1 metre in height, and has a base width of around 30 centimetres. It depicts Lord Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta Shesha, with Lord Brahma emerging from a lotus sprouting from Vishnu’s navel. On either side are Vishnu’s consorts, Shridevi and Bhudevi.

Additional carvings on the sculpture include scenes from the Dashavatara and the churning of the cosmic ocean, or Samudramanthan. Divine figures such as Ashwa and Airavat are also shown.

A particularly rare element of the sculpture is the inclusion of a donor couple placed prominently between the figures of Sheshnaag and the Samudramanthan.

According to iconography expert Saili Palande-Datar, while similar sculptures have been recovered in the Marathwada region, they are generally made of basalt rock and do not include the donor couple in this arrangement.

The combination of materials, artistic features, and iconographic elements has led experts to classify the sculpture as a unique piece of early medieval Indian art.

The ASI team responsible for the excavation has indicated that further investigation in the area may reveal additional architectural and sculptural pieces. The presence of a temple base and multiple sculptural finds nearby suggests that Sindkhed Raja was not only a political and military centre but also a site of sustained religious activity over centuries.

The relationship between Sindkhed Raja’s documented history and its architectural features presents a coherent narrative of growth, control, and devotion.

Each structure, whether a fortification wall, a water tank, or a temple pillar, adds specificity to the town’s timeline and reflects a certain period of rule or cultural investment. As excavation and conservation work continues, Sindkhed Raja’s role in the broader historical record of Maharashtra is being steadily expanded.