Vinayakrao Aurangabadkar (A Study in Historiography)

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The history of the eighteenth century Nagpur State is yet in deciderun. Major obstacle of the study is paucity of state papers apart from monarchist mind set of the local scholars. First is due to colonial negligence second is due to colonial psychology. The only way out was to bring back copies of the document preserved at Afro-Asiatic study center of British library, Former India office library London. Once this accomplished, thanks to Foreign travel grant offered by Indian council for Historical Research, it's study was a natural corollary. The treaties is a result of this study. When the author conceived the idea of this treaty he was thrilled and appalled simultaneously, because it needs a thorough study not only of political but also social and economic aspect of the Nagpur's past. The subject is virgin one, mostly dependent on unpublished documents written in modi- script. Fortunately the author is imbued in the various aspect of the Nagpur history for last forty years and well versed with the modi script of eighteenth and early Nineteenth century which greatly heartened him in his undertaking. A liberal grant of I.C.H.R. was proved an additional advantage. Thus armed, he transcribed all documents collected by Vinayakrao which are cataloged at the end of work and made a in depth study of it. The Nagpur state was founded by Raghuji Ist of Bhosle family. The state survived two civil wars and many foreign interventions of the house of the Peshwa and the houses of Asafjah, But on the turn of eighteenth Century. State was defeated in Second Anglo Maratha war, by the English and their native allies. A resident was posted at Nagpur to watch the activities of the state and ward the interest of English East India Company. Mr. Richard Jenkins was one of them. He took keen interest not only in political activities of the state but also social and economic status of Nagpur state, past and present. For this purpose, Vinayak Anant Aurangabadkar was proved a ready tool by intellectual accuman, multi-linguistic capacity and his past association with the Asafjahi state.

Vinayakrao Aurangbadkar, in his service from 1807 to 1827 and probably onward, constantly collected and written historical information, bakhars. Thus as a historian his contribution to Indian literature is unparallel. Even a glance of his twenty two volumes is not possible in the space of this introduction. Enough is to say that he has collected all sort of historical material from original correspondence and treaties, written statements of gentry, living and dead from their descendents, all sanad and patronage orders, interviews of old and knowledgeable man as well as copies of stone inscription and personal survey of all historical places. Apart from this historical material, he also gathered histories of Marathi and Persian language generally called bakhars and Tawarikhs. Thus all the work of Vinayakrao, preparatory as well as final is not gone in vain, as they are treated here in region wise chapters i.e. Nagpur, Berar, Chandrapur and Chattisgarh and over all covering collection of political documents of state archives yet a detail and separate study is expected which is left to future generations. Even an edited version of all this collected material may prove great advance in regional history. This treaties discusses not only life and time of Vinayakarao Aurangbadkar but reviewed his all books, travelogues, collection of documents and other social and administrative information and throw valuable light on the history of Central India. Now it is up to discerning people to evaluate it in its proper perspective.

Prabhakar Gadre, D.Litt, an authority of the Maratha History with specialty of the Nagpur State, has authored many books on the various aspect of the Nagpur history. Then he under took the herculean job of collecting, editing and publishing source material of many languages in 18 volumes. So far he has been successful in publishing ten volume throwing valuable light on the many aspect of the Nagpur State, including political correspondence, provincial studies, revenue reports and religious centers for the help of future generations.

The history of the eighteenth century Nagpur State is yet in deciderun. Major obstacle of the study is paucity of state papers apart from monarchist mind set of the local scholars. First is due to colonial negligence second is due to colonial psychology. The only way out was to bring back copies of the document preserved at Afro-Asiatic study center of British library, Former India office library London.

Once this accomplished, thanks to Foreign travel grant offered by Indian council for Historical Research, it's study was a natural corollary. The treaties is a result of this study. When the author conceived the idea of this treaty he was thrilled and appalled simultaneously, because it needs a thorough study not only of political but also social and economic aspect of the Nagpur's past. The subject is virgin one, mostly dependent on unpublished documents written in modi-script.

Fortunately, the author is imbued in the various aspect of the Nagpur history for last forty years and well versed with the modi script of eighteenth and early Nineteenth century which greatly heartened him in his undertaking. A liberal grant of I.C.H.R. was proved an additional advantage. Thus armed, he transcribed all documents collected by Vinayakrao which are cataloged at the end of work and made a in depth study of it.

The Nagpur state was founded by Raghuji Ist of Bhosle family. The state survived two civil wars and many foreign interventions of the house of the Peshwa and the houses of Asafjah, But on the turn of eighteenth Century.