Firangoji Narsala was a renowned Maratha warrior and military leader in the army of Shivaji Chhatrapati, a Maharaja of Maharashtra, in 17th century India. He is famous for his defence of Sangram Durga, a fort, against a Mughal army led by Shayeste Khan in 1660 . Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj (February 19, 1630 - April 3, 1680) was the founder of the Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... 1. ... Maharashtra (महाराष्ट्ऱ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... The Mughal empire Main article: Mughal empire India in the 16th century presented a fragmented picture of rulers, both Muslim and Hindu, who lacked concern for their subjects and who failed to create a common body of laws or institutions. ... Events Expulsion of the Carib indigenous people from Martinique by French occupying forces. ...

Firangoji was a 'Killedar' (garrison commander?) of this fort in Chakan (Pune). When Shayeste Khan invaded Pune with an army of around 1 lakh soldiers, he selected Sangram Durga as the first target. He attacked the fort with 10,000 soldiers. Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... Pune city, formerly Poona, Maharashtra state, western India, is situated at the junction of the Mula and Mutha rivers. ... Pune city, formerly Poona, Maharashtra state, western India, is situated at the junction of the Mula and Mutha rivers. ... A lakh (also spelled lac or laksha) is a unit in a traditional number system, still widely used in India and Bangladesh, equal to a hundred thousand. ...

But Firangoji Narasala was a terrific commander. He was prepared for this attack, although he had only 200 soldiers. Just before this attack Shivaji had asked his commander to leave the fort. However, Firangoji decided not to abandon the fort and instead started a fierce guerilla war against the Mughals and defended the fort in this way for almost two months. Guerrilla (also called a partisan) is a term borrowed from Spanish (from guerra meaning war) used to describe small combat groups. ...

The Mughals tried another way of taking the fort. They dug a tunnel up to the fort; which was a challenge because of the water around the it. They filled this tunnel with explosives and blew up the wall of the fort. This was a major setback for Firangoji and his soldiers; 75 soldiers died in this attack. The Mughal army rushed into the fort; fierce fighting ensued and many Maratha soldiers were killed. This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ...

Shayeste Khan was astonished by Firangoji's bravery. He offered him Mughal Sardari. But Firangoji refused to accept it; instead Shayeste Khan gave him and his soldiers safe passage. Firangoji came to meet Shivaji and apologised for surendering the fort. But Shivaji was very happy with him as he had defended a small fort for almost 2 months. He said "if it took 60 days for Shayeste Khan to take a small fort, imagine how many days wlll be required to capture an entire swarajya (kingdom)". Shivaji rewarded Firangoji and made him Killedar of 'Bhopal Gad' (fort). Bhopal, marked in red, lies in central India. ...