Battle of Pavankhind was a rear guard battle that took place on July 13, 1660 at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India between the Maratha sardar Baji Prabhu and Siddi Masud of Adilshah. The Marathas held the Adilshahi forces till Shivaji reached the fort Vishalgad. The Adilshahi forces were 5,000 strong against 600 Maratha light infantry. July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... // Events January 1 - Colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration. ... Kolhapur   (Marathi:कोल्हापुर) is a city situated in the south west corner of Maharashtra, India. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors hailed mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas were known by... Sardar, in some senses also Sirdar (Persian: سردار ) (, IPA ) is a Persian word meaning commander. ... Baji Prabhu Deshpande is among the most remembered sardars (associates) of Chattrapati Shivaji. ... The Adil Shahi of Adilshahi were a dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ...

The battle is known for gallant defense of the mountain pass by Maratha sardar Baji Prabhu. The Imperial Maratha Conquests (1659-1761) were a series of conquests in the Indian subcontinent which led to the building of the Maratha Empire. ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... // Events January 1 - Colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors hailed mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas were known by... Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ... The Adil Shahi of Adilshahi were a dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686. ... Baji Prabhu Deshpande is among the most remembered sardars (associates) of Chattrapati Shivaji. ...

Background

Shivaji defeated Adilshahi generals of distinction one after the other. Hence Adilshah as last measure pulled all his resources and sent Siddi Jauhar on the expedition against Marathas. At the same time he made correspondence with Mughals to attack Shivaji. Accordingly, Shaista Khan attacked from Northern side towards Pune. The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Pune (Marathi: पुणे), is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. ...

Siddi Jauhar laid the siege to fort Panhala. All attempts to raise the siege were foiled. Shivaji's senapati (Commander) Netaji Palkar could not break through the siege from outside. Hence Shivaji decided to give a final battle. But instead of suicidal attack, he followed a diffferent strategy. A grand escape was planned to give a battle from the fort Vishalgarh. A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition, often accompanied by an assault. ... This December 2006 does not cite its references or sources. ... Netaji Palkar was the first Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) in the army of Shivaji, the legendary king in 17th century India. ...

Battle

Composition of Adilshahi forces

It consisted of selected cavalry of Adilshahi which was well known under the command of Siddi Jauhar assisted by Siddi Masud and Fazal Khan. A small artillery was deployed by the British. Jasvantrao Dalvi of Palavani and Surve of Sringarpur laid siege to Vishalgarh.

Composition of Maratha forces

Shivaji was assisted by his Sardar Bajiprabhu, Jadhavrao, Bandal and many more. However, the light infantry forces were limited around 600. They consisted of hardened mountaineers of maval region who have remained historically unconquered till that time. Baji Prabhu Deshpande is among the most remembered sardars (associates) of Chattrapati Shivaji. ...

Movement and clash of forces

According to the plan, on the dead of the full moon night, Shivaji passed through the siege along with some 300 men, lead by Bajiprabhu. The enemy chased and caught some portion of his troops. The caught king turned out to be an imposter of Shivaji. He was a barber, namely Shiva. This heroic sacrifice gave the fleeing Maratha force some breathing space. Composite image of the Moon as taken by the Galileo spacecraft on 7 December 1992. ...

The enemy started the chased once again, lead by Siddi Masood, son-in-law of Siddi Johar. By that time, Shivaji had reached a strategic location, Ghod Khind (Horse Pass), a gorge. It was very narrow so as to pass only a few soldiers at a time. Bajiprabhu Deshpande, a gallant general along with his Bandal sena took the position to defend the pass till Shivaji reached another fort, Vishal Gad. A gorge is a narrow passage between steep mountains or hills. ...

Shivaji attacked another siege at the base of fort Vishalgad with such vigour that it was broken. Meanwhile, Baji Prabhu, his brother Fulaji and Sambhaji Jadhav successfully defended the pass with 300 soldiers. He was badly wounded, but he gave up only when he heard the sound of cannons blasted by Shivaji from the fort, indicating that he had reached safely. The pass is now known as Pavan Khind - The Sacred Pass. After crossing the pass, the enemy attacked Shivaji at Fort Vishalgad. But again they were fiercely beaten by Rango Narayan Sarpotdar, Shivaji's General on the Fort, and repulsed with heavy losses. They left the battlefield never to return again. To please Siddi Jauhar, Shivaji vacated the fort Panhala. A small cannon on a carriage, Bucharest. ... sarpotdars are karhade brahmins and are from the konkan region. ...

Honour

The sword of honour was given to Bandal. Shivaji personally visited the house of slain Baji Prabhu, situated in the village of Kasabe Sindh in the Raigad district. His elder son was offered job as chief of a section. Other 7 sons were given honour of the Palakhi. Son of Slain Sambhaji Jadhav, Dhanaji Jadhav was inducted in the forces. Raigad District is a district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. ...

Outcome

This was the last major battle between Adilshahi forces and Marathas. Hereafter Marathas were recognised as an independent power. The sacrifice of Bajiprabhu and Shiva barber is a legend itself. Even today youths trek on the route taken by Shivaji between the forts of Panhala and Vishal Gadh. The distance is around 70 km. Perhaps that is the effect of the battle even today - Fight, fight till you win. The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors hailed mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas were known by...

Casualties

The total casualties of this battle was 3,000 on Adilshahi side and 300 on Maratha side. It was a bloody battle. Almost all Maratha troops laid their life to save their king.

References

• Grant Duff - History of Marathas
• S.D.Samant - Vedh Mahamanvacha
• Kasar D.B. - Rigveda to Raigarh making of Shivaji the great
• Bahekar Arjun - House of Sindhkhedkar Jadhavas'

See also

Battle of Marathon Combatants Athens and Plataea Persia Commanders Miltiades Callimachus† Darius I of Persia Datis†? Artaphernes Strength 10,000 Athenians 1,000 Plataeans 20,000-60,000 by modern estimates 1 Casualties 192 Athenians dead 11 Plateans dead 6,400 dead 7 ships captured 1 Ancient sources give numbers ranging from 200...