Balaji Kunjar

Baloji Kunjar / Kunjir (17**–1816) (Marathi: बालाजी कुंजर / कुंजीर) was Maratha Sardar and Minister of Affairs in service of Peshwa Baji Rao II. He was Peshwa Baji Rao II's favorite. After the death of Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao, there was debates for the position of Peshwa among the maratha empire. Balaji Kunjar performed a successful role to convey most friendly declaration and assurance between Baji Rao II and Nana Phadanvis, to appoint Baji Rao II as peshwa of Maratha Empire. Peshwa Baji Rao II and Nana Phadanvis awarded inam (Jagir) to him in 14 villages near Purandhar fort, for his role. He performed successful role in administration of maratha empire and as affairs minister or diplomat (vakil) for Peshwa Baji Rao II. He along with his son Pandoji Kunjar and Narayan, enjoyed the position as Sur-Patil (सर-पाटील) at Pune Punch Mahals during the era of Peshawa Baji Rao II. He along with his family has long enjoyed the privileges of sar-patil of 360 villages and towns in the Subha of Poona.

Kunjir's origin is also related to Maratha origin theories that conclude Maratha Myth Stories, and they are considered to be a 96 Kuli Maratha. However, they claim descent from one branch of the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, which is definitely pure Maratha Kshatriya. In the 13th century, Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri's King Singhan II marched towards the near-eastern part of Pune, to protect his provenance from the attacks of north. He won some of the war and lost some also. Some of his sardars decided stay behind. They settled near Baramati, Bhuleshwar, Shindavane, Dhawaleshwar & Kanifnath Temples, near the eastern part of Pune and ruled the winning area as Patil. Some of them were leading the war elephantary section of the army at that era. In Sanskrit, "elephant" is pronounced as a "Kunj" (कुंज), so this branch was known as "Koonjur" (कुंजर), which was later on inherited as "Kunjir" (कुंजीर). Kunjir's origin belongs to Village Waghapur in Purandhar Taluka from Pune District. Later, some of the Kunjir families moved to nearby villages in the Pune District of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and enjoyed positions of the Sur-Patil (सर-पाटील) at 360 villages and towns in the Subha of Poona including Junnar & at Pune Punch Mahals during the era of Peshawa Baji Rao II. The Kunjirs served and remained faithful and loyal to Maratha kingdom from its start to the collapse. Pune, Gwalior, Nagpur, Indore and such Maratha principalities were served by them. The kunjirs were also invited and present during the coronation ceremony of the maratha emperor Shivaji Maharaj.

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