A benevolent ruler, he was instrumental in the uplifting of the dalits and depressed castes in his state. He also established the Kolhapur High Court, modern housing developments, an updated water-supply system, free primary education and higher-level female education. As he only left a daughter at his death, he was succeeded by a distant relation, Shivaji V. 1897-1922: Shrimant Yuvaraja Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Bhonsle.
1897-1922: Shrimant Yuvaraja Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Bhonsle 1922-1924: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur 1924-1927: His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCIE 1927-1931: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCIE 1931-1937: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE 1937-1940: Colonel His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE 1940: Brigadier His Highness Kshatriya-Kulawatasana Sinhasanadhishwar, Shrimant Rajashri Sir Rajaram II Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Kolhapur, GCSI, GCIE Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-1924 Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1931 King George V Silver Jubilee Medal-1935 King George VI Coronation Medal-1937.
