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Legendary Bajiprabhu Deshpande and the battle of pawankhind

 Legendary Bajiprabhu Deshpande and the battle of Pawankhind 

*CONTENT :-

  1. About Bajiprabhu Deshpande 
  2. How Bajiprabhu Deshpande Joined Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ?
  3. Clan of Bajiprabhu Deshpande 
  4. Seizing of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 
  5. Plan of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 
  6. The battle of Pawankhind 
  7. How old was Bajiprabhu Deshpande when he died ?
  8. Who defeated Bajiprabhu ?

  • About :

            General Bajiprabhu Deshpande was born in the year 1615 in the Prabhu cast. Very less information is available in the historical documents. But as per records Bajiprabhu's clan was situated near the Haridas Region in the western Maharastra.

            Initially Bajiprabhu Deshpande worked under General Krishnaji Bandal. Later Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the Bandal's of Bhor district. Bajiprabhu and his army joined the military of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

  • Seizing of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj :

            During the year 1660's Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj went to Panhala Fort with his soldiers. When the Adilshahi's came to know about this they immediately sent their commander in Chief Siddhi Johar to seize Panhala Fort and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

            Siddhi Johar of Adilshahi seized Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Panhala Fort for many months. The Maratha army tried to break the seize many times but all those efforts were in vain. The seize was so strong that even the great commander in chief Netaji Palkar failed to break the seize from outside. Instead of risking the lives of brave Maratha soldiers Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj chose a different strategy.

  • Plan of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj :

            According to the plan, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sent his lawyer to Siddhi Johar telling he fears him and wants to sign a treaty with him.Siddhi Johar and his army became relaxed as the seize of several months was comming to an end.

            Siddhi Johar tempted to meet Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his army camp. Now according to the plan, on a full moon night a bunch of 600 brave Maratha soldiers led by General Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj checked out Panhala Fort.

  • Battle of Pawankhind : 

            According to the plan at certain point the Maratha army of 600 soldiers had to break in half. One army set of 300 soldiers lead by Bajiprabhu Deshpande headed towards Vishalgad Fort and another army set including the imitator of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj named Shiva Kashid went to meet Siddhi Johar at his army camp.

            The militants of Siddhi Johar came to know about the imitator of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through informers. Siddhi Johar was very disturbed when he found out he was fake Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 
            
            The Adilshahi's captured Shiva Kashid. This brave Maratha soldier sacrificed his life to draw to attention of Siddhi Johar upto some extent. Siddhi Johar immediately sent an army of 4000 soldiers to chase Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

            At that time the Marathas had reached the Ghodkhind, a narrow valley (path) letting some men cross at a time. Bajiprabhu told Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj he will hold the Adilshahi force in Ghodkhind till he reaches Vishalgad Fort safely. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj didn't agreed to Bajiprabhu, he insisted to fight them together. Bajiprabhu explained how important the live of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was, and how desperatly Swarajya needed him. He told Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to shot 3 strikes of canon when he safely reaches Vishalgad Fort. 
 

            Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj agreed to Bajiprabhu's decision heavy heartedly. Bajiprabhu took the 300 Maratha soldiers to fight the Adilshahi force. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj marched towards Vishalgad Fort with some soldiers with him. Rayaji Bandal (from the bandal's of Bhor district) was also present. He was a great archer.
    
        Those exhausted soldiers  started fighting with chants of 'HAR HAR MAHADEV'. Bajiprabhu Deshpande was fighting taking two heavy swords in both hands swinging those swords like lighting strokes. This horrific battle lasted for 18 hours. 
            As discussed Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj shot the canon 3 times when he reaches Vishalgad Fort. After hearing those strikes Bajiprabhu died as a hero. Siddhi Masud of Adilshahi defeated Bajiprabhu Deshpande. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were deeply grieved upon hearing this news.

  • How old was Bajiprabhu Deshpande when he died ?

            At the age of 45 Bajiprabhu Deshpande sacrificed his life for swarajya.

            Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj renamed the Ghodkhind as Pawankhind  in the loving memory of brave  Bajiprabhu Deshpande and other Maratha soldiers.


*REFERANCE :

  1.         Pawankhind - Ranjit Desai 
  2.         Bajiprabhu Deshpande - Prabhakar Bhave 
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