Aundh

Aundh lies in a basin of low hills southeast of Satara. It was the residence of the Pant Pratinidhi, a leading officer of the Maratha court, and the centre of his family’s estates. A temple of Yamai, the family’s patron goddess, stands in the town, while the chief’s residence was built around a courtyard in the Maratha manner.

Parashuram Trimbak served Rajaram and his widow Tarabai during the struggle against the Mughals. After Rajaram’s death in 1700, Tarabai appointed him Pratinidhi. He was captured by Shahu during the ensuing struggle for the Maratha throne, but later recovered his office. In 1713 Shahu made it hereditary in his family. That year Aundh was also the scene of a battle in which Balaji Vishwanath, serving Shahu, defeated Krishnarao Khatavkar. The Pratinidhi family continued to hold its estates from Aundh.