Sindkhed Raja

There are many legends associated with name of this city. According to one legend, the name Sindkhed is derived from the name of king Sindhurama, who is said to have established this city in ancient time. While other believes that this area was known as 'Siddha Kshetra' (holy land of seers), which over a period of time got abbreviated to Sindkhed.[2]

Not much is known about history of this place in ancient time and the Middle ages. In 1450 A.D., this area was given as jagir to a local Qazi by Ala-ud-Din Ahmad Shah Bahmani of the Bahmani Sultanate. By 1550, this area came under rule of powerful Jadhav dynasty, which ruled the paragana of Sindkhed until 1724. During this period, they kept on shuffling their suzerainty with Mughal Empire and Ahmadnagar Sultanate as per situation. Emergence of Nizam of Hyderabad in south India changed political dynamics in this area. The area come under influence of the Nizam by 1724 when Chandrasen Jadhav defected to his court. During the later part of 18th century, this area came under influence of the Shinde dynasty, which ruled it for about 60 years. In 1803, the Nizam of Hyderabad recaptured Sindkhed and restored the rule of Jadhav dynasty. The family lost possessions of the city in 1851 owing to an act of rebellion by Arab troops under their command leading to Sindkhed's downfall.[2] After the decline of the Nizam's rule, this area came under direct British rule.

As of 2011 India census,[3] Sindkhed Raja had a population of 16,434. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Literacy rate of Sindkhed Raja city is 82.03% marginally lower than state average of 82.34%. In Sindkhed Raja, Male literacy is around 89.58% while female literacy rate is 73.97%. About 75% of population is employed in agriculture sector.

Sindkhed Raja is an administrative headquarters of Sindkhed Raja Taluka.

Sindkhed Raja is the birthplace of Jijabai, mother of Maratha king Shivaji, who founded the Maratha empire.

• Sindkhed Raja (Vidhan Sabha constituency)