Up to the first Muhammadan invasion of the Deccan (1294) the greater part of the northern Konkan was held by Koli and Varli chiefs.

According to the Kolis' story, Paupera who was apparently called Jayaba, had a small mud fort at Mukne near the Tal pass.

Once when visiting a shrine of Sadruddin Chishti at Pimpri, he was blessed by five Koli mendicants and saluted as the ruler of Jawhar.

On his return from Kathiawar he went to Jawhar and asked the Varli chief to give him as much land as the hide of a bullock could cover.

His elder son, Dulbarrao, expanded his patrimony and conquered a large territory, controlling 22 forts, comprising most of the Nasik and Thana districts, and yielding annual revenues valued at £90,000.

At his death, the powerful Hindu sardars and nobles refused to recognise his son as his successor, on account of his Muslim faith.

An enlightened and well-educated ruler, he immediately set about improving conditions, streamlining the government, building roads, schools and dispensaries.

His early death in 1926 ushered in a ten-year regency for his son, Yeshwantrao Patangshah V. The latter assumed full ruling powers in 1938, having received perhaps the best education by any member of his family.

He continued the good work achieved under the regency by expanding development activity, encouraging the chemical, paper, textile, dyeing, printing, liquor and starch industries.

Yeshwantrao Patangshah V assumed the title of Maharaja, shortly before he signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India in 1947.