We, Peshwa Bajirao viewers are watching with anticipation the events that will unfold on the occasion of "Gudhi Padwa" on Peshwa Bajirao. For those who don't know this, Gudhi Padwa is a very auspicious day for Maharashtrians, it is the start of New Year.
Reading Abhay's (History_geek) post on his thread about Sambhaji Raje joining the Mugals (briefly) from Panhala and the discussion surrounding it led to some thoughts about Panhala, the relatives of Shivaji Maharaj who supported his enemies instead of Hindavi Swarajya and as opposed to this, the valiant brave men who supported and fought with Shivaji Maharaj, who made his dream of Hindavi Swarjya their own and who voluntarily happily led down their lives for it.
One such memorable name is "Baji Prabhu Deshpande" another Bramhan like Peshwa Bajirao, who is revered and has made a permanent place in the hearts of Marathi people by his bravery and supreme sacrifice.
His story might be unknown to some who are not as familiar with Maratha history - so this post. He is said to be from Bhor originally (some distance from Pune).
This is from 1660. After killing Afzalkhan (Adilshahi, Vijapur sardar) and defeating his massive army, Shivaji Maharaj left Pratapgad, led and won many battles against Adilshahi. Taking of Panhala fort just 18 days after Afzalkhan's defeat was an important victory as Panhala was Adilshahi's prestigious strong fort.
When news of Afzalkhan's death and its army's defeat reached Adhilshahi darbar it was shocking stunning blow. This news was followed by fall of Panhala fort and defeat of Fazal Khan and Rustom Jama near Kolhapur. Adilshahi was in panic to stop Shivaji Maharaj's relentless advances and sent urgent request to Aurangzeb to help against Shivaji Maharaj.
Adilshahi immediately launched another campaign against Shivaji Maharaj, chose Siddi Johar to lead it. Fazal Khan (Afzalkhan's son) and Siddi Masoud (Siddi Johar's son-in-law) and sardars Sadatkhan, Fattelal, Santaji Ghorpade joined the campaign. Siddi Johar marched with 40,000 foot soldiers and 20,000 horsemen.
Around the same time on Adilshahi's request for help, Aurangzeb sent his maternal uncle Shaiste Khan with a massive army of 75,000 to attack the forging Maratha Empire of Shivaji Maharaj (some accounts says his army was more than 1,00,000). This army continued to receive reinforcements from Shivaji Maharaj's enemies.
Against this background, Shivaji Maharaj went to Panhala fort on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa when Siddi Johar followed and led siege to Panhala fort on 2nd March 1660. It is a massive fort, had around 1,000 soldiers on the fort at that time. After winning Panhala, Shivaji Maharaj had immediately got Panhala further fortified, filled the granaries and stocked weapons.
Siddi Johar led the siege with his entire army surrounding Panhala from all sides. The siege was so tight that no person from outside could enter Panhala. It is said that every 50 feet there was a post. Netaji Palkar, Shivaji Maharaj's senapati tried to break the siege but he was defeated and had to turn back. Sahyadri's lion was under siege in Panhala.
Jijabai was running the administration from Rajgad with help of able men like Moropant Pingale, Tanaji Malusare etc. Shaistekhan with his massive army entered Pune and to drive home the insult stayed in Shivaji Maharaj's childhood home Lal Mahal!
Almost 4 months passed with Panhala under siege, the granaries were getting low, there seemed to be no solution in sight. All the efforts at negotiation had been turned down by Siddi Johar, constantly asking Shivaji Maharaj to surrender to Adilshahi.
Monsoon started and one of Shivaji Maharaj's spies, Mahadev joined the army of Surve, (Surve had sent army in support of Siddi Johar to the siege of Panhala) and sneaked away at night and climbed the fort on a rainy night. Mahadev gave information about events that had happened while Shivaji Maharaj was under siege. The way Mahadev had sneaked in was decided as route for escape from Panhala. It was the only place where the posts were 150 feet apart!
A plan for escape was formulated, to leave for Vishalgad fort which was around 60-65 kms away. As part of plan, an emissary was sent to Siddi Johar starting negotiation for surrender. Jiva nhavi (Shivaji Maharaj's barber) who had similar features to Shivaji Maharaj volunteered to impersonate him, fully knowing once discovered his life would be over. The plan was to make 2 convoys one palakhi was to carry Jiva nhavi dressed as Shivaji Maharaj from the more obvious route for escape, while Shivaji Maharaj's palakhi with Baji Prabhu Deshpande would follow other route to Vishalgad.
The night of 12th July 1660, was a full moon night but the monsoon weather was stormy with heavy lashing rains and thunder. After dinner, under cover of darkness Shivaji Maharaj and 600 foot soldiers Bandal Sena led by Baji Prabhu Deshpande escaped out of the siege in pouring rain. They did not have any horses nor did these men wear any footwear for fear of making noise! Even if they wore any it would have proved useless in the rainy muddy weather anyways.
Jiva nhavi followed by another palakhi. As soon as the convoy broke away from the siege it was known and word reached Siddi Johar. He immediately ordered Sidd Masoud and Fazal Khan to follow with a more than 1,000 strong horsemen.
Jiva impersonating as Shivaji Maharaj's palakhi was spotted and captured. He was led to Siddi Johar's tent and continued the pretence. This provided Shivaji Maharaj with invaluable time to make way during the night. Bandal sainiks were running barefooted the entire night in heavy rain towards Vishalgad.
Jiva's truth was soon discovered and an enraged Siddi Johar questioned Jiva, he proudly replied his life has proved worthwhile saving Shivaji Maharaj - Jiva was killed immediately.
Siddi Masoud and Fazal Khan led another party around dawn, to follow Shivaji Maharaj this time with 1,500-2,000 horsemen (one account says 4,000 horsemen). They rode in pursuit, Shivaji Maharaj and Baji Prabhu Deshpande had reached narrow Ghodkhind (pass) near Gajapur, when they received information that Vishalgad was also under siege of Surve and Jaswant Singh! This was an unexpected worrying news - strong vastly outnumbered enemy on both sides - one in hot pursuit and one blocking way! The 600 Bandal Sena was tired, hungry and thirsty, having run 40-45 kms entire night and day, in heavy rains without halt.
Baji Prabhu Deshpande volunteered to stay back with half the Bandal sena of 300 men and block the route of pursuing Siddi's army in Ghodkhind. He asked Shivaji Maharaj to take the remaining 300 Bandal Sena and fight with Surve's army and reach Vishalgad, which was around 13 kms away. A cannon was to be fired from Vishalgad as signal that Shivaji Maharaj had reached Vishalgad safely.
Ghodkhind had tall steep rockface on both sides and Baji Prabhu Deshpande and the 300 bravehearts blocked way of Siddi's army fighting with all their might. They did not let even one enemy enter the Ghodkhind.
Shivaji Maharaj with the 300 Bandal Sena were running towards Vishalgad, fight broke out as they reached the siege and Surve's army attacked them from all sides. Shivaji Maharaj and every single soldier was fighting, not letting the enemy overpour them. With bravery they cut off the siege and climbed the steep Vishalgad fort. The fighting sounds of "Har Har Mahadev" reached the fort and its doors were opened for Shivaji Maharaj. Not one person was without an injury, only about half the men out of 300 reached the fort with Shivaji Maharaj, rest all laid down their lives in the battle.
Siddi's army was getting desperate, the battle was going on for more than 4 hours since afternoon, but not a single person had managed to even enter Ghodkhind. Baji Prabhu Deshpande was standing near the entrance to Ghodkhind, like a thunderbolt, fighting with dand patta in both hands cutting down the enemy. Siddi asked his men to get him a gun and fired at Baji Prabhu. The bullet entered his chest and he fell down. His men took him away and continued fighting. Baji regained consciousness and enquired if they had heard the cannon fire sound? When he was told no, he desperately got up in that wounded condition, his men tried to hold him back but he would not listen, Baji Prabhu said "cannon has not been fired, Shivaji Maharaj has not reached Vishalgad safely yet, I cannot die till Maharaj is safe" and he reached forward position again. Even the enemy soldiers were stunned into immobility seeing him bathed in blood holding dand patta in his hands. Just then cannon fire was heard and Baji Prabhu and his men realized Shivaji Maharaj had reached Vishalgad safely. Happy and content Baji Prabhu said Shivaji Maharaj is safe, I kept my word mujra Maharaj, and he fell down. Only 1 - ONE person from the 300 managed to escape, rest all led down their lives - happy and content at having fulfilled their duty.
Shivaji Maharaj and those on fort were worriedly waiting for their men, for any news from Ghodkhind but there was only silence as evening approached. The injured sole Bandal soldier somehow reached Vishalgad and informed Shivaji Maharaj that Baji Prabhu Deshpande and all 300 had fought bravely, not one person had place left vacant on his body for another injury. He narrated about Baji Prabhu's last moments.
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Shivaji Maharaj had said Ghodkhind has become pawan (pure/sacred) due to Baji Prabhu Deshpande's and Bandal Sena's blood and it was renamed "Pawankhind" a name famous till date. Shivaji Maharaj personally visited Baji Prabhu's home and paid homage to his memory. He also gave "manache pahile paan" first ceremonial place in darbar to Baji Prabhu Deshpande's family.
Shivaji Maharaj inspired such devotion, trust and confidence in his men, they happily chose to die to protect him, his legacy and their Hindavi Swarajya. It did not remain just Shivaji Maharaj's dream, it turned into a dream of every Marathi manoos. This is what led to Aurangzeb's failure even after trying for 27 years relentlessly - Aurangzeb had vowed not to return till he destroyed Maratha empire, he died a failure never able to go back. He could not defeat the Marathas because they were fighting for their Swarajya but more importantly they were fighting to keep alive the dream of Shivaji Maharaj. He continues to inspire generations even today.
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That Shivaji Maharaj daringly bravely attacked Shaistakhan with just 400 men, ensconced amidst his vast army in Pune and cut off his fingers is well known!
God does not make men like these anymore. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
PS : my posts about Shivaji Maharaj usually have their source in the most trusted - most read book on Shivaji Maharaj "Shriman Yogi".😳 It is written by Ranjit Desai in Marathi (more than 1,050 pages) and also translated into English. I have read other books on Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Raje too, however I consider Shriman Yogi as my most trusted source - primarily because it is written by writer who sees Shivaji Maharaj as an extraordinary visionary man - not as a God.
This is why Maharashtrians put Shivaji Maharaj above God.
Ranjit Desai, the author of Shriman Yogi has also written a book "Pawankhind" about Baji Prabhu Deshpande and the battle of that famous day.
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