Baji Prabhu Deshpande
Encyclopedia
Baji Prabhu Deshpande (died 1660) was one of the lieutenant
s (also known as sardar
) of Chattrapati Shivaji, founder of the Maratha empire
. The well celebrated legend of Baji Prabhu is intricately linked with an important rear guard battle enabling Shivaji's escape from Panhala fort
, he was the hero who sacrificed his life for his king and country.
After defeating Afzal Khan and the rout of the Bijapuri army at Pratapgad
, Shivaji continued to push deep into Bijapuri territory. Within a few days, the Maratha
s captured Panhala (near the city of Kolhapur). Meanwhile another Maratha force, led by Netaji Palkar
, pushed straight on towards Bijapur. Bijapur repulsed this attack, forcing Shivaji and few of his sardars to retreat to Panhala Gad (fort).
The Bijapuri force was led by Siddhi Johar, an Abyssinian
general. Discovering Shivaji's location, Johar laid siege to Panhala
. Netaji Palkar made repeated attempts to break the Bijapuri siege from outside, but these failed.
Finally a very audacious and high risk plan was hatched and put in to action: Shivaji, Baji Prabhu Deshpande with a select band of troops would attempt to break through the siege at the night, and make for Vishalgadh. In order to deceive the Bijapuri forces, who would give a chase once they found that Shivaji had broken the siege, Shiva Nhavi, who had an uncanny physical resemblance to Shivaji, volunteered to dress like the king and let himself be captured.
On a stormy full moon's night (night of Guru Pournima, Ashadh Paurnima) a band of 600 select men, led by Baji Prabhu and Shivaji, broke through the siege. They were hotly pursued by the Bijapuri force. As planned, Shiva Nhavi allowed himself to be captured and taken back to the Bijapuri camp, fully comprehending that he would be put to death once the charade was discovered. This sacrifice, however gave the fleeing Maratha force some breathing space.
As soon as the Bijapuri force realized their mistake, the chase was on again, led by Siddhi Masood, the son-in-law of Siddhi Johar. Near the pass of Ghodkhind (Horse's Pass), the Marathas made a final stand. Shivaji and half of the Maratha force pushed for Vishalgadh, while Bajiprabhu and the remaining Bandal Sena of about 300 men blocked the pass.
Tradition and legend describe feats of valour displayed by the Marathas during this rear guard action. Through the entire battle, Bajiparbhu, even though grievously injured, continued fighting, inspiring his men to fight on until Shivaji's safe journey to Vishalgadh was signaled by the firing of three cannon
volleys. It should be mentioned that when Shivaji approached Vishalgad with 300 men. The fort was already under siege
by another Mughal sardar named Surve. Shivaji with his 300 men had to defeat Surve to reach the fort.
The pass was subsequently named Pavan Khind ("Holy Pass") by Shivaji, in honor of the sacrifice of Baji Prabhu and his troops. Shivaji also gave "manachi palkhi" ("Honor of the Court") to Baji Prabhu's family.Shivaji also gave "manache pahile paan" ("Honor of the Court") to Bandal Dehsmukh.
Baji Prabhu Deshpande was born into the Chandrasainya Kayastha Prabhu caste of scribes. A street is named after him in Thane City and Ambarnath
, India, and a film of his story was made in 1939.
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
s (also known as sardar
Sardar
Sardar is a title of Indo-Aryan origin that was originally used to denote feudal princes, noblemen, and other aristocrats. It was later applied to indicate a Head of State, a Commander-in-chief, and an Army military rank...
) of Chattrapati Shivaji, founder of the Maratha empire
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
. The well celebrated legend of Baji Prabhu is intricately linked with an important rear guard battle enabling Shivaji's escape from Panhala fort
Panhala fort
Panhala fort , also known as Panhalgad, Pahalla and Panalla , is located in Panhala, 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. It is strategically located looking over a pass in the Sahyadri mountain range which was a major trade route from Bijapur in the interior of Maharashtra to...
, he was the hero who sacrificed his life for his king and country.
After defeating Afzal Khan and the rout of the Bijapuri army at Pratapgad
Pratapgad
Pratapgad is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.-Geography:...
, Shivaji continued to push deep into Bijapuri territory. Within a few days, the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
s captured Panhala (near the city of Kolhapur). Meanwhile another Maratha force, led by Netaji Palkar
Netaji Palkar
Netaji Palkar was the second Sarnaubat in the army of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire in western India.-Family history:...
, pushed straight on towards Bijapur. Bijapur repulsed this attack, forcing Shivaji and few of his sardars to retreat to Panhala Gad (fort).
The Bijapuri force was led by Siddhi Johar, an Abyssinian
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
general. Discovering Shivaji's location, Johar laid siege to Panhala
Panhala
Panhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
. Netaji Palkar made repeated attempts to break the Bijapuri siege from outside, but these failed.
Finally a very audacious and high risk plan was hatched and put in to action: Shivaji, Baji Prabhu Deshpande with a select band of troops would attempt to break through the siege at the night, and make for Vishalgadh. In order to deceive the Bijapuri forces, who would give a chase once they found that Shivaji had broken the siege, Shiva Nhavi, who had an uncanny physical resemblance to Shivaji, volunteered to dress like the king and let himself be captured.
On a stormy full moon's night (night of Guru Pournima, Ashadh Paurnima) a band of 600 select men, led by Baji Prabhu and Shivaji, broke through the siege. They were hotly pursued by the Bijapuri force. As planned, Shiva Nhavi allowed himself to be captured and taken back to the Bijapuri camp, fully comprehending that he would be put to death once the charade was discovered. This sacrifice, however gave the fleeing Maratha force some breathing space.
As soon as the Bijapuri force realized their mistake, the chase was on again, led by Siddhi Masood, the son-in-law of Siddhi Johar. Near the pass of Ghodkhind (Horse's Pass), the Marathas made a final stand. Shivaji and half of the Maratha force pushed for Vishalgadh, while Bajiprabhu and the remaining Bandal Sena of about 300 men blocked the pass.
Tradition and legend describe feats of valour displayed by the Marathas during this rear guard action. Through the entire battle, Bajiparbhu, even though grievously injured, continued fighting, inspiring his men to fight on until Shivaji's safe journey to Vishalgadh was signaled by the firing of three cannon
Cannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
volleys. It should be mentioned that when Shivaji approached Vishalgad with 300 men. The fort was already under siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
by another Mughal sardar named Surve. Shivaji with his 300 men had to defeat Surve to reach the fort.
The pass was subsequently named Pavan Khind ("Holy Pass") by Shivaji, in honor of the sacrifice of Baji Prabhu and his troops. Shivaji also gave "manachi palkhi" ("Honor of the Court") to Baji Prabhu's family.Shivaji also gave "manache pahile paan" ("Honor of the Court") to Bandal Dehsmukh.
Baji Prabhu Deshpande was born into the Chandrasainya Kayastha Prabhu caste of scribes. A street is named after him in Thane City and Ambarnath
Ambarnath
Ambarnath is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the state of Maharashtra, India.-Overview:The name Ambarnath literally means Lord of the sky. Ambarnath is the site of a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back, to 10th century...
, India, and a film of his story was made in 1939.