A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.75

v1.c9.75

Another principal chief under the Beejapoor government was the Naik of Phultun, whose title was Rao Naik Nimbalkur, or Phultun Rao. The original name of this family is said to have been Powar; the name Nimbalkur is derived from the village of Nimbalik, now called Nimluk, where his ancestor resided. The origin of his Deshmookhee claims on Phultun Desh is unknown: the family is considered one of the most ancient in Maharashtra. Nimbalkur was made Sur-deshmookh of Phultun, before the middle of the seventeenth century, by the King of Beejapoor, as appears by original sunnuds of that date. The Deshmookh of Phultun is said to have become a Polygar and to have withheld the revenues of the district repeatedly; but the exact periods are not ascertained. Wungojee Naik, however, better known by the name of Jugpal, who lived in the early part of the seventeenth century, was notorious for his restless and predatory habits. The sister of Jugpal was the grandmother of the famous Sivajee. Nimbalkur never exchanged his ancient title of Naik¹ for that of Raja.