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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox former subdivision
|conventional_long_name =Arni jagir
|common_name =Arni jagir
|nation = [[British Raj]]
|subdivision = [[Zamindari|Princely Estate]]
|era =
|year_start = 1638<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/British-era-palace-in-Arni-falling-apart/articleshow/53038278.cms |title=British Era palace falling apart in Arni|author=M T Saju|publisher= Times of India|access-date=4 July 2016|quote=It was Maratha king Shahji (Shivaji's father) who handed over Arni with 100 villages to his commander Vedaji Bhaskar Punt in AD 1640}}</ref>
|date_start =
|event_start=
|year_end = 1948<ref>{{cite news|title=Willed by Binny and Parry|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/willed-by-binny-and-parry/article19948375.ece|work=THE HINDU|author=S. Muthaiah|accessdate=30 October 2017}}</ref>
|date_end =
|event_end= [[Independence of India]]
|event1 =
|date_event1 =
|s1 = India
|flag_s1 = Flag of India.svg
|image_flag =
|image_coat =COA Arni Princely Estate 1893.png
|image_map =
|image_map_caption =
|stat_area1 = 546
|stat_year1 = 1901
|stat_pop1 = 95,542
|today = [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
|footnotes =
}}
'''Arni Jagir''' was a Jagir (estate) and a permanently settled [[zamindari]] estate that existed in the North Arcot subdivision of the [[North Arcot]] district of the erstwhile [[Madras Presidency]] in [[British India]] from 1638 to 1948.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of South India, Volume 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vERnljM1uiEC|publisher=Mittal Publications|author=W.Francis|page=24|year=1988}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Ruling Chiefs, Nobles & Zamindars of India, Volume 1|author=A. Vadivelu|publisher=G.C. Loganadham|year=1915|page=607|quote=Vedaji Bhascar Pant was the founder of the jaghire, to Vedaji Bhascar Thirumala Rao Sahib, the present [aghirdar, is due the credit of getting the permanent proprietary right of the Jaghirdars unmistakably established and confirmed by the British government}}</ref>

==Coat of Arms==

The [[blazon]] of the Arni Coat of Arms is ''Per Deum et ferrum obtinui'' which means ''By God and my sword I have obtained''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fUG81l1K4EYC&pg=PA193|title=The Routledge Dictionary of Latin Quotations: The Illiterati's Guide to Latin Maxims, Mottoes, Proverbs and Sayings|page=193|publisher=Psychology Press|author=Jon R. Stone|year=2005|isbn=9780415969086}}</ref>

==History==

{{see also|Battle of Arnee}}
Arni jagir was granted to Vedaji Bhaskar Rao Pant by the [[Shahaji]] in 1638. Shivaji having failed in his negotiation, [[Sultanate of Bijapur]] took Arni and various other forts, and forcibly occupied the whole of Shahji's jagir in the Mysore.<ref>{{cite book|title=Aurangzeb|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=63oMAQAAMAAJ|publisher=Oxford University Press|author=Mountstuart Elphinstone|year=2008|page=90|isbn = 9780195475753}}</ref> The Jagir of Arni was again granted as a gift to Vedaji Bhaskar pant by the Sultanate of Bijapur in 1640.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Who's who in Madras: ... A Pictorial Who's who of Distinguished Personages, Princes, Zemindars and Noblemen in the Madras Presidency, Issue 9|page=250|publisher=Pearl Press|quote=The Jagir of Arni is the gift of the Sultanate of Bijapur granted about the year 1700 for military service* rendered in connection with the conquest of Tanjore and other places in the South}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Maratha Mints and Coinage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zVdmAAAAMAAJ|page=182|author1=Kamalesh Kumar Maheshwari|author2=Kenneth W. Wiggins|year=1989|publisher=Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies}}</ref>

In early 1677 [[Shivaji]] and his military forces set out towards Golconda. He met Kootab Shah and negotiated a secret pact for a division of his intended conquests in the Carnatic ( excluding those that earlier belonged to his father, Shahaji). The spoils were to be divided between [[Shivaji]], Kootab Shah and [[Bijapur]]. With the agreement concluded and with Kootab Shah giving him money, horses and artillery, Shivaji set out in March 1677 for his invasions via Kurnool, Cuddapah and Madras. He conquered [[Gingee]] and [[Vellore]] and contemplated seizing Tanjore.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1960|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=276|author1=Edward James Rap|author2=Sir Wolseley Haig|author3=Sir Richard Burn}}</ref> Since [[Tanjore]] and other properties had belonged to his father he tried to seize them after negotiating with his brother, [[Ekoji I|Venkoji]]. Venkoji distrusted him and was not willing to give up his property. Shivaji did not give up and continued his battle. Vellore surrendered immediately and then Carntiegurh and two other forts reduced immediately after. Vedaji Bhaskar Pant who was in charge of Arni since the time of [[Shahaji]], brought the keys of the Fort and tendered his services to Shivaji. Shivaji thereby confirmed the award of the Jagir of Arnee to him.<ref>{{cite book|title=A History of the Mahrattas, Volume 1|publisher=Longmans, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green|author=James Grant Duff}}</ref>
After establishing [[Maratha Empire]], the jagir of Arni and Venidurg were left to the son of Vedaji Bhaskar pant, out of respect for Vedaji Bhaskar Pant for his loyalty.<ref>{{cite book|title=Shivaji and His Times|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WYFrgILWbIgC|page=239|publisher=Orient Blackswan|author=Jadunath Sarkar|year=1992|isbn = 9788125013471}}</ref>

===Treaty of 1762===
After the [[Battle of Arnee]], a treaty was signed in 1762 between the [[Nawab of Arcot]] and [[Pratap Singh of Thanjavur|Pratap Singh]], [[Rajah of Tanjore]]. This was guaranteed by the Government of [[Fort St. George, India|Fort St. George]] and confirmed by the [[East India Company]]. This once again restored and confirmed the Jagir to Thirumala I Rao Sahib under the 5th Article of the Treaty.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Scandal of Empire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiPd26ngXLkC|publisher=Harvard University Press|author=Nicholas B Dirks|page=269|year=2009|isbn = 9780674034266}}</ref>

===Extent of the Estate===
The Arni jagir comprises 192 villages in the North Arcot district of Madras Presidency. Its extent was 211 square miles. The pant family ruled the region till 1948. The members of ruling family used 186 luxurious cars between 1920 and 1948, which were imported from various countries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Journey of Arani silk: From Gujarat to TN|url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=Journey-of-Arani-silk-From-Gujarat-to-TN-12112015007031|work=The Times of India|accessdate=12 November 2015|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705033007/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=Journey-of-Arani-silk-From-Gujarat-to-TN-12112015007031|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Palaces and Architecture==

[[File:Jayamahal Palace Hotel P 20170221 080900 (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|Arni House (now known as Jayamahal Palace/Jayamahal Palace hotel)]]
[[File:Jagirdar of Arni Shooting box.jpg|right|thumb|Portrait of Arni Jagirdar's Poosi Malai Kuppam Palace in 1887]]
In the town of Arni, which is the headquarters of the Arni jagir two palaces were built during 19 century.<ref>{{cite news|title=Experts stress the need to preserve Arni's architechtural heritage|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/experts-stress-the-need-to-preserve-arnis-architechtural-heritage/article8634736.ece|author=D. Madhavan|accessdate=23 May 2016|quote=Two palaces built in the 19th century are the highlight of the town and need conservation}}</ref>

===Diwan Khane Palace===
The first palace, is a two-storey building known as ''Diwan Khane'', which was originally meant as a guest house for women and children of the royal family. It is spread over 35 acres, the palace had circular brick pillars, Indian motifs, arches, gothic columns and Madras terrace built with the lime and mortar method. Peacock pattern glass panels on the doors, door handles and engravings with flora and fauna — characteristic of the Mughal style of architecture — were also introduced. The palace had fish-typed door stoppers and floors that were made of lime but resembled tiled flooring. The last two features were unique to the architecture followed by Arni rulers of those times. At present, the palace is in ruins.

===Maligai nagar===
The second palace, known as ''Maligai Nagar'', was built as a guest house for the rulers. It is a single-storey structure, which had separate loft for pigeons, four chimneys (despite the town experiencing generally hot climate). The palace is constructed in a typical British style. Most of the structure now remains intact but needs immediate conservation. In fact, Mr. Hariharan said, the forest palace was the earliest structure in the region to use steel rafters instead of traditional wooden rafters for its roof. Such steel rafters added strength to the structure.

===Arni House===
The ''[[Jayamahal Palace Hotel|Arni House]]'' was constructed by Jagirdars of Arni in 1903, which was later bought by Maharaja [[Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV]] and gifted to his nephew [[Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar]] and named it as The [[Jayamahal Palace Hotel|Jayamahal Palace]]. In 1949 [[Maharaja of Mysore]] Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar sold the palace to [[Gondal State|Maharaja of Gondal]]. The Jayamahal Palace was spread across 24 acres in [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/palace-where-maharaja-jc-wadiyar-dreamed-of-becoming-a-musician/articleshow/52983699.cms|title=Palace where Maharaja JC Wadiyar dreamed of becoming a musician|author=Divya Shekher|accessdate=30 June 2016|publisher= The Economic Times}}</ref>

==Titles==
*The [[Sultanate of Bijapur]] conferred upon Vedaji Baskar Pant the title of ''Rao Sahib'', which subsequently replaced the surname ''Pant'' of the ruling family.<ref>{{cite book|title=Feature Writing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=buROw5DD6wsC|publisher=PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd|page=139|author=N. Meera Raghavemdra Rao|date = 12 September 2012|isbn = 9788120345799|accessdate=12 September 2012}}</ref>
* In 1765, Srinivasa I Rao Sahib the 6th Jagirdar of Arni was granted the title "[[Raja]]". From their onwards the ruling family used the title "[[Raja]]".

==Rulers of Arni==
[[File:Thirumala IV Rao Sahib, 11th Raja of Arni Princely estate.jpg|thumb|right|Raja Thirumala IV Rao Sahib]]
[[File:Srinivasa IV Rao Sahib, 12th & last Raja of Arni Princely Estate.jpg|thumb|right|Raja [[Srinivasa IV Rao Sahib]], last ruler of Arni in Arni Palace]]
In 1902, when the Jagirdar Raja Srinivasa III Rao Sahib died, Raja Thirumala IV Rao Sahib the next raja was a minor, and the estate was being continued under the management of the Court of Wards by Government's orders. After the death of Raja Thirumala IV Rao Sahib his eldest son [[Srinivasa IV Rao Sahib|Raja Srinivasa IV Rao Sahib]] succeeded, the estate.

The rulers of the Arni belonged to [[Marathi people|Marathi]]-[[Deshastha Madhva Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite news|title=Willed by Binny and Parry|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/willed-by-binny-and-parry/article19948375.ece|work=THE HINDU|author=S. Muthaiah|accessdate=30 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/palace-where-maharaja-jc-wadiyar-dreamed-of-becoming-a-musician/articleshow/52983699.cms|title=Palace where Maharaja JC Wadiyar dreamed of becoming a musician|author=Divya Shekher|accessdate=30 June 2016|publisher= The Economic Times}}</ref> and were devout followers of [[Uttaradi Math]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Who's who in Madras: ... A Pictorial Who's who of Distinguished Personages, Princes, Zemindars and Noblemen in the Madras Presidency, Issue 9|year = 1939|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ykHVAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Pearl Press|page=246|quote=Srinivasa, Rao Sahib A., Jagirdar of Arni, North Arcot Dist. e. s. of Tirumal Rao Sahib; b. in 1905. Belongs to the Desastha Madhwa Community. Educ. in Arni Bishop Cotton High School, Bangalore, Newington College and Christian College}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Ruling Chiefs, Nobles & Zamindars of India, Volume 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PeeRRf0EhnIC|page=606|author=A. Vadivelu| year=1915 |publisher=G.C. Loganadham Publications|quote=All the Jaghirdar Sahibs have been the most favoured among the disciples of the Uttaradi Mutt.}}</ref> They used the titles ''Rao Sahib'' and ''Raja''.

The rulers of Arni Jagir were:

* Vedaji Bhaskar Rao Pant – 1640 (founder)

===Rao Sahib's===
* Koneri Rao Sahib
* Ramachandra Rao Sahib – 1679
* Venkata I Rao Sahib
* Thirumala I Rao Sahib

===Rajas===
* Raja Srinivasa I Rao Sahib – (1765–1795)
* Raja Thirumala II Rao Sahib – (1795–1823)
* Raja Srinivasa II Rao Sahib – (1823–1853)
* Raja Thirumala III Rao Sahib – (1853–1871)
* Raja Srinivasa III Rao Sahib – (1871–1902)
* Raja Thirumala IV Rao Sahib – (1902–1931)
* [[Srinivasa IV Rao Sahib|Raja Srinivasa IV Rao Sahib]] – (1931–1948) – accession in 1948<ref>{{cite book|title=The Order of the Crest: Tracing the Alumni of Bishop Cotton Boys' School, Bangalore (1865–2015)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XGDiBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT81|publisher=Penguin UK|page=81|author=Aditya Sondhi|date = 18 December 2014|isbn = 9789351189053|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref>

==Abolition==
The Jagir of Arnee was abolished under sections 41 (1) and 50 (7) of the Madras Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948 (as a result of the Zamindar Abolition Bill in 1948). The annual revenue of the Jagir at the time of abolition was around 2.5 lakhs.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fort Saint George Gazette|page=1182|quote=Arni was abolished under sections 41 (1) and 50 (7) of the Madras Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948|year=1964|publisher=Madras State}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Arni jagir}}

*[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/02324ed5-71a7-4ac4-9d43-74379500a8ae A collection of papers relating to the Arni jagir in the Madras Presidency. Madras: Govt. Press, 1908]
* [http://www.arnijagir.com/tree.htm Genealogy of Arni royal family]
*[http://www.arnijagir.com/History.htm History of the Arni Jagir]

{{Princely states of the Madras States Agency}}
{{Nobility of the Raj}}

[[Category:Historical regions in India]]
[[Category:Zamindari estates]]
[[Category:Madras Presidency]]
[[Category:1948 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:1640 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1638 establishments in India]]

Arni jagir - Revision history

Serguty at 06:16, 11 March 2026