Sarpotdar


Sarpotdar is a family name found mainly among the Maharashtrian people in India. It is derived from the Mughal title Sarpotdar. The Persian word "pota" which means "treasure": the treasurer in Mughal times was called "Potdar" and the chief treasurer would be "Sarpotdar". Later on, the nature of this job changed to somewhat like Inspector General of Currencies.

Origin

Sarpotdars originate from Ratnagiri district in the konkan region of Maharashtra. They are predominantly from Anjanari, Nadivali and Padvan and one of their branches had settled at Godhra in Gujarat.
Their surname earlier was Orpe and was subsequently changed to Sarpotdar possibly in the 16th century. Their Kuladaivat is Laxmi Ravalnath of marcela and Pernem in Goa.

Historical background

The first known ancestor of Sarpotdars Ravalopant Orpe Sarpotdar came to Fort Vishalgad i.e. ‘khelana’ from Bidar, a political city in Karnataka, in the late 16th century. Since then various generations of Sarpotdars worked on the Fort Vishalgad as administrative officers on different posts.
Evidences show that Narayan Timaji alias Naropant Sarpotdar was the in charge of Kothi & Ambarkhana i.e. ‘Food stocks & treasure’ in pre-shivaji times.

Family heroes

The recent well-known personalities from Sarpotdars are the Ex Parliamentary Leader of ‘Shivsena’ Madhukar Sarpotdar.