Tribute to the Battle of Pavan Khind. We all know about the Battle of Thermopylae through the movies of Hollywood. Where a handful of Greeks defeated the invading Persian Army.
Here one such battle happened during the initial days of the Nascent state of Hindavi Swarajya aka Maratha Empire. Here it all started after the victory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Battle of Prathapgad with the defeat of Bijapur forces and the killing of Afzal Khan. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forces began swift action on expanding Hindavi Swarajya.
Here Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj reached the fort of Panhala as the part of the mission. While Netaji Palkar took the another side and was unable to advance beyond Bijapur Defenders. Thus Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has to station his troops in Panhala.
In the meantime by knowing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stationed in Panhala Bijapur forces under Siddi Jauhar advanced and laid Siege to Panhala. Now forces under Netaji Palkar tried to break the siege.
Thus a strategic retreat was planned Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and selected band of troops under Baji Prabhu Deshpande one of the trusted commanders and a Vatandar from Bhor planned an escape from Panhala to Vishalgad through the Ghod Kind Pass was planned on 13 July 1660.
To divert the attention of Bijapur forces under Siddi Jauhar Shiva Kashid a barber who resembles like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj let himself to be captured while the forces were breaking the siege. This gave them a breathing space. Once the Charade was discovered. The Bijapur forces under Siddi Masud began to Chase the forces of Hindavi Swarajya aka Maratha Empire.
Thus in the Ghod Kind the Bandal Sena under Baji Prabhu Deshpande vowed to stay and defend till Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj reached Vishalgad.
Here Baji Prabhu Deshpande and his brother Phulaji along with hundreds of his forces stood till last men and fought once they heard the cannon fire from Vishalgad fortress.Baji Prabhu Deshpande who was mortally wounded continued to fight till the cannon fire was heard.
To honour the selfless sacrifice of all those individuals and their Valour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj named the Pass as Pavan Khind. This event was immortalized in collective memory through powada and movies.
Thus let’s remember the selfless sacrifice of the brave hearts.
-Tribute by Srikaanth Sridhar
Srikaanth Sridhar
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