| Conventional Long Name: | Miraj State (ca. 1750 - 1820) Miraj Junior State (1820 - 1948) |
| Common Name: | Miraj Junior |
| Nation: | British India |
| Subdivision: | State Within the Maratha Confederacy (1750 - 1818) Princely State |
| Year Start: | 1820 |
| Year End: | 1948 |
| Event End: | Independence of India |
| P1: | Maratha Empire |
| S1: | India |
| Flag P1: | Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg |
| Flag S1: | Flag of India.svg |
| Image Map Caption: | Miraj in the Imperial Gazetteer of India |
| Stat Area1: | 508 |
| Stat Year1: | 1901 |
| Stat Pop1: | 35,806 |
Miraj Junior was one of two Maratha princely states during the British Raj: 'Miraj Senior' and Miraj Junior. The two states separated in 1820. It was under the southern division of the Bombay Presidency, forming part of the southern Mahratta Jagirs, and later the Deccan States Agency.[1]
Miraj Junior measured 211sqmi in area. According to the 1901 census, the population was 35,806. In 1901, the state enjoyed revenue estimated at £27,000, and paid £400 in tribute to the British Raj.[1] The Raja resided in the town of Bhudgaon (population 3,591 in 1901).
The State of Miraj, the predecessor state, was founded before 1750 and within its limits was the former capital of the State of Sangli before the British Raj.Raja Govind Rao Patwardhan, 1st Ruler of Miraj, began as a cavalry commander. He distinguished himself in several expeditions against the Nizam of Hyderabad and Hyder Ali of Mysore, established the Maratha ascendancy in southern India and pushed the Maratha conquests to the frontier of Mysore.
In 1820, the state of Miraj was divided between a Senior and Junior branch.[1] The territory of both branches was widely scattered among other native states and also British districts.[1]
Miraj Junior acceded to the Dominion of India on 8 March 1948 and is currently a part of Maharashtra state.
The rulers belonged to the Patwardhan dynasty and used the title of Raja. They were of the same clan that ruled nearby Jamkhandi State.
The line is nominally continued: