SDUK Map of India III Bombay Presidency, Sawunt Warree or Sawantwadi!

Referencing the SDUK Map of India III Bombay Presidency with the Kingdom of Sawunt Warree 

The administrative activities of the Rajah of Sawunt Warree during the period depicted in the SDUK Map III of the Bombay Presidency reflected a semi-autonomous governance structure under British suzerainty. The map, produced in the 1830s, provides a geographical context that shows Sawantwadi's location and its neighboring regions, highlighting its role within the larger framework of the Bombay Presidency.

Administrative Activities:

1. Internal Governance: 

The Rajah of Sawunt Warree managed the internal administration of the state. This included maintaining law and order, managing revenue collection, overseeing agricultural production, and administering justice. The Rajah's authority extended over various local chieftains and village heads who reported to him.

2. Judicial Administration: 

The Rajah’s court handled civil and criminal cases within the state. Judicial practices were influenced by traditional laws and customs, although British legal principles gradually began to have an impact.

3. Revenue and Land Management: 

The state’s revenue system was primarily agrarian. The administration collected land taxes and other dues from farmers and landholders. The management of forest resources and local industries, such as the production of traditional crafts, also contributed to the state’s economy.

4. Military Affairs: 

Although the British managed the defense of princely states, including Sawantwadi, the Rajah maintained a small local militia for internal security. The local forces were responsible for protecting the state from internal disturbances and petty conflicts.

5. Diplomacy and Relations with the British: 

The Rajah maintained diplomatic relations with the British through political agents. These agents acted as intermediaries, ensuring that the state adhered to treaties and agreements with the British government. The Rajah's role included hosting British officials and participating in ceremonial functions that reinforced the British-Indian relationship.

Regional Influence:

Sawunt Warree was strategically important due to its location in the Konkan region. The map illustrates how the state was part of a network of princely states and British territories, showing its geographical and political significance within the Bombay Presidency. This placement allowed Sawunt Warree to act as a buffer state and a point of cultural exchange between the inland areas and the coastal trade routes.

Modern Legacy:

Today, the Sawantwadi Palace continues to preserve this historical legacy by promoting traditional arts and crafts. The palace remains a center for cultural heritage, offering insights into the region's rich history and the administrative practices of the past Rajahs.

The palace is actively involved in promoting traditional arts and crafts, particularly the famous Ganjifa playing cards and wooden toys for which Sawantwadi is renowned. The current activities at the palace focus on maintaining these cultural traditions, attracting tourists, and hosting various cultural events​. 

In summary, the SDUK Map III reflects the strategic and administrative role of the Rajah of Sawunt Warree within the larger framework of the Bombay Presidency, highlighting the governance, judicial, and diplomatic activities that characterized the state's administration during the British colonial period.