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The Battle of Pavan Khind (/pɑːvʌnxɪnd/ ⓘ PAAVANKHIND); was a rearguard last stand that took place on 13 July 1660, at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur by the Maratha general Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Shambhu Singh Jadhav against Siddi Masud of the Bijapur Sultanate. The engagement ended with the destruction of the Maratha forces, and a tactical victory for the Bijapur Sultanate that failed to achieve a strategic victory.[citation needed]
| Battle of Päwan Khind | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Battles involving the Maratha Empire | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Maratha Army | Bijapur Sultanate | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Baji Prabhu Deshpande † |
Siddi Masud Siddi Jauhar | ||||||
Shivaji's escape from Panhala
Shivaji, facing a siege at Panhala Fort, first scouted an escape route through the besiegers' lines. On July 13, 1660, under the cover of darkness and aided by rain, Shivaji slipped out of the fort with 600 infantry and headed to Vishalgad. He was pursued by Siddi Jauhar’s forces led by his son-in-law, Siddi Masud, resulting in a fierce battle at the Gajapur pass. Baji Prabhu, Shivaji's ally, fought valiantly but was killed.[1] Shivaji successfully reached Vishalgad, covering 64 km in 21 hours, and then proceeded to Rajgad. The Bandals were honored for their bravery in delaying the enemy's pursuit. Shivaji punished Khandoji Khopade for his betrayal by amputating one hand and one leg, while Kanhoji Jedhe, Shivaji's trusted servant, died around September 1660.[1]
"Siddi Jauhar laid siege to Panhala. When Shivaji came down from the fort and was coming to Khelna [i.e. Vishalgad], Siddi Jauhar came in pursuit. At that time Shivaji stationed Baji Prabhu, the Deshpande, and the contingent of Bandals in the Gajapur pass and went to Khelna. Baji Prabhu and [his] men fought valorously. Baji Prabhu and some men perished. The enemy was not allowed to ascend [the pass]. Siddi Jauhar went back."
— Jedhe Chronicle, [1]
In popular culture
- The battle was depicted in episodes of Raja Shivchatrapati
- In 2022, a Marathi-language film depicting the battle is titled Pawankhind directed by Digpal Lanjekar starring Chinmay Mandlekar as Shivaji and Ajay Purkar as Baji Prabhu Deshpande released on 21 January.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale (2011). Shivaji His Life and Times. pp. 460–462.
- ^ "THESE character posters of Digpal Lanjekar's 'Pawankhind' will get you all excited for the film". Times of India. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.