Thread by @varadadya

#storytime

Battle of Pawankhind. A war that changed the course of history.

Possibly my longest thread. Please read through till the END.

Request the Reader to picture himself/herself in Ghodkind (which became Pawankhind later).

To the West of Ghodkind is VISHALGAD. It could be 7 km from the valley and 14 kms by Road.

4 kms to the East of it is Ghodmaal. Ghodmaal is a place where "Horse Market" was there.

Horses bought at Ghodmaal were taken by the Valley route to VISHALGAD. Hence, the Valley-route was called Ghodkind. VISHALGAD was the place where these horses were registered officially and inducted into the Maratha Army.

After Ghodmaal, to the east was Pandhrapani village (6 km from Ghodkind), Masai Pathar Village (35 km from Ghodkind) and PANHALGAD Fort (45 km from Ghodkind).

PANHALGAD to VISHALGAD, the distance, the journey, the war - forms the story of #BattleOfPawankhind

आई भवानी आणि वीरमाता जिजाऊ यांचा स्मरण करून,
हिंदवी स्वराज्य साठी जगलेल्या सर्व ज्ञात अज्ञात मावळ्यांना मानाचा मुजरा करतोय !
आणि पावनखिंडीच्या अमर गाथे ला प्रारंभ करतोय !

Meaning, Remembering Lord Bhavani and Mother Jijau along with thousands of known and known Maavle (Maratha Soldiers) who Lived & Died to protect the honour of Hindavi Swarajya. I bow in respect to all of them and begin to narrate the Epic the Tale of Pawankhind.

10th Nov 1959, PRATAPGAD, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj finishes Afzal Khan and moves his eyes towards Kolhapur. By 28th Nov 1659, Maratha Army recaptures 22 Villages and 18 Forts. Of everything else, the important one was PANHALGAD.

As it was the Vice-Capital of ADILSHAHI.

ADILSHAHI ruled Bijapur for years. With Afzal Khan dead and 22 Villages & 18 forts Lost. Badi Begum and Adilshah were Angry. They, vow to Destroy Hindavi Swarajya Completely.

Adilshah appoints his most dangerous General "Siddhi Zauhar" for the task.

He had many powerful sardars in his Army of 40000 Soldiers.
Sardars with a powerful background - like Fazal Khan (Afzal Khans Son), Siddhi Mazood (Siddhi Zauhars brother-in-law), Bade Khan and Baji Ghorpade - were a part of the Army chosen to finish Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Chattrapati had only 6000 Maavle (soldiers). On the first attempt, he couldn't break the Maratha defence line. So he camped at the base of PANHALGAD.

Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj stationed at PANHALGAD had to escape from the fort.

Siddhi Zauhar was a tough nut. He camped there and during that time, he vowed to not let even an ANT pass through.

Weather Conditions bought some time for the Marathas. But, entire Winter Passed, entire Summer Passed. Siddhi Zauhar wont move an inch.

Two Bad News come-in for Chattrapati.

1 - "ADILSHAH is clear in his instructions to Siddhi Zauhar, you camp there. Hole him, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, up at PANHALGAD. After the Monsoons, I will attack the fort with 4 lakh Soldiers."

2. Shahistikhan is planning to attack PUNE with 1 lakh Soldiers.

Put together, 5.5 Lakh Mughal soldiers are at Prawl. Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj has to get out of PANHALGAD to save his Maratha Kingdom.

The idea was to safely reach, VISHALGAD i.e 45 km away. But HOW?

Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj along with BAJI PRABHU DESHPANDE (hero of this war) were working out on a Strategy in the Darbaar at PANHALGAD.

Just then, a Cannon Ball hits the Walls of PANHALGAD. The worst fears of Chattrapati come true. Siddi Zauhar has moved ahead.

Chattrapati comes out at the viewing window, and another Cannon Ball hits the Walls of PANHALGAD.

Maharaj, knew the Cannons don't belong to ADILSHAHI.

The Cannons were gifted to him by Henry Rington of BRITISH ARMY.

Henry, who had written and signed an agreement with Maharaj that he would not help anybody against Hindavi Swarajya. Henry, Backstabbed. He got together with Adilshahi to finish Shivaji Maharaj.

The Cannon handlers, however, were naive and within no time Maharaj knew this.

Maharaj banked heavily on weather conditions. Ashaad Maas was nearing, which means heavy rains in the Sahyaadri Hills.
Maharaj thought, Siddhi Zauhar, won't stand the lamenting rains. He will back out and we would pass through.

NO. Siddi Zauhar. Stood his ground.

Chattapati Shivaji Maharaj, sent his best general Netaji Palkar.

Even Netaji Palkar (who had never lost a war), couldnt defeat Siddi Zauhars camp. History says, he was allowed to try twice and he failed both times.

A Worried Maratha Camp was contemplating next action. Just then a Sadhu arrived at the gates of PANHALGAD.
He could be anyone. He could be a SPY or an enemy MOLE. Fearing his identity, Maavlas chained him and presented him to Maharaj (in the Darbar)

Maharaj, saw him and immediately ordered to unchain him. A Unchained Sadhu, immediately bows down to Maharaj.

Maharaj come near him and say "Arey Mahadev, tu kadhi aalas" (Mahadev when did you come)

Mahadev is the Supreme SPY of the Maratha Army with an Eagle Eye.

A teary-eyed Mahadev said "Raaje, my own peers couldn't recognize me and you, who had last seen me 3 years back, recognized me in the first go"

Maharaj nods and gets serious "Mahadev, tell me everything that you know"

Mahadev "Raje, 21 days before today, I reached the base and stayed with Siddhi Zauhar camp as one of their own"

Hearing this Maharaj stood up. "Nana (as he called Baji Prabhi Despande), we will break Siddhi Zauhars trap and get out from here. I have a Plan"

Baji was confused.

Maharaj: "Nana if this Mahadev can come up through the hilly terrains, we can go down from the same route, Lord Mahadev has shown us the route, we will escape from this"

As the Darbaar is still standing confused.

Maharaj calls for Gangadarao Pant. Pant is the official Lawyer of the Kingdom, handling legal matters.

Maharaj : "Pant Saheb, send a message to Siddi Zauhar. Shivaji Maharaj is Surrendering"

Entire Darbaar is shocked.

Maharaj "And Call Shiva, the naavi"

(Naavi in Marathi means a Barber)

Shiva looks exactly like Maharaj and he even mocks his walk with the same ease. An outsider, will never able to make out the difference between both of them.

An emotional Maharaj says "Shiva you have to Dress-up like me and surrender to Siddi Zauhar, your task would be to keep him engaged till I escape - can you do this for Hindavi Swarajya"

Shiva swells with pride. "Maharaj, anything for my kingdom"

The Official document sent to Siddhi Zauhar said "Chattrapati will surrender on the evening of 12th July 1660."

As planned. Two troops were readied with a Paalkhi each. One with Shiva in it as Maharaj and one with real Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Maharaj hugs Shiva and says "I hope you know, what is waiting for you there"

Shiva says with Pride "Maharaj, I know it's my death waiting for me. However, I am proud that my death will come in the name of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bhosale and not as a commoner"

Chattrapatis Palkhi with Baji Prabhu Deshpande had 600 Maavlas & the surrendering Shivas Palkhi had 100 Maavlas. Both bid emotional farewell and went on their ways, to meet their separate fates.

Chattrapati moves through the rough terrain and Shiva surrenders to Siddi Zauhar.

A King had surrendered. So Shiva was welcomed with Official protocol and he was taken to temporary Darbar of Siddi Zauhar.

Just as the official talks of surrender are on. An Informer says "Shiva bhaag gaya" (Shivaji has ran away"

Siddi Zauhar yells at that informer "fool, look here, Shivaji is standing in front of me"

Talks continue. While the other Palkhi has crossed the village Masai Pathar (10 km from PANHALGAD).

One more Informer comes and tells Siddi Zauhar "Sardaar, Shiva Bhag gaya, Maine dekha"

Siddi Zauhar again refutes the informer and the poor informer backs out. This time Siddi Zauhar has doubts but he has no way to confirm.

Talks Continue. Maharaj Baji along with Baji Prabhu Despande have reached Pandhra Pani village (30+ km from PANHALGAD)

This time, none other than FAZAL Khan comes up with the news. "Sardaar, ye Nakli Shiva hai, asli waala bhaga gaya" (This is a fake Shiva, real one has ran away)

Siddi Zauhar slashes Shiva with his sword. Multiple injuries and he collapses to the ground.

An angry Siddi Zauhar says "Get me that Shivaji, Dead or Alive"

Shiva (wounded) yells out of his gut "You Invader, till the time I was alive you couldn't see my back, Till the time Baji Prabhu Despande is alive you wont see Chatrapatis face"

Before he could end, Siddi Zauhars accomplices stab Shiva and kill him.

An angry Army of 10000 now gets on the tail of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Watching those chasing Soldiers from far away, Baji Prabhu Deshpande orders his Men.

"Maavle, you cannot stop now at any cost. These are rainy terrains - your shoes will slow you down - remove them - Your armour stuck in Bushes and trees may slow you down - remove them too - at any cost - don't stop running - JAI BHAVAANI - JAI SHIVAAJI"

Maavlas Passs Ghodmaal (the Horse Marketplace) and reach GHODKIND. The Final Spot of this War.

Bare Bodied Maavlas are tired and injured. Due to difficult terrain. The idea is to rest and start moving again.

Just then an informer arrives from VISHALGAD.

Informer "Raaje, your own Suryaaji Surve has turned against you and is waiting to attack you as you reach VISHALGAD - Surve has a huge army of 10000 too"

Now, as a Reader, let's imagine the plight of those 600. Including Chattrapati and Baji Prabhu Deshpande".

At their back is 10000 strong Mughal Soldiers behind them to kill them, at the other end is 10000 strong army of their own.

Chattrapati puts his foot down "Nana, let's face this once and for all. I don't care about the end now. Lets finish them all together"

Baji Prabhu Deshpande (immediately interrupts) : "No Raaje, You take 300 men and proceed with this hike and take care of Surve at VISHALGAD. I will wait here with 300 men, and block the Mughal Army. When you reach VISHALGAD give me a 3-Cannon-Ball-Fire Signal"

"लाख मेले तरी चालतील, पण लाखांचा पोशिंदा छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज हा जंगलाचं पाहिजे"
(Let lakhs of Soldiers die, but the protector of Lakhs should survive)

Chattrapati wants to interrupt but he cannot, seeing the resolve of Baji Prabhu Deshpande.

A Narrowed Pathway was the only entry for Siddi Zauhar and the biggest advantage of Baji Prabhu Deshpande.

Marathas go-to Weapon was a DAANPATA. (A 7 feet Heavy Metal Strip with sword-like sharpness at both ends. Baji Prabhu had two of these)

Swinging his two DAANPATAS and with Lion's courage. Baji Prabhu Attacked Siddhi Zauhar.

Marathas have always used Sahyadri Mountains to the best of their advantage, this time too their strategy worked like Magic.

History says, On that Day, Blood flowed like a River.

On one side was a Baji Prabhu Deshpande massacring Siddi Zauhar men and on the VISHALGAD gate was Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj fighting Suryaji Surve's Men.

The Valleys echoed with "Hara Hara Mahadev", "Jai Bhaavani", "Jai Shivaaji"

Lionhearts fought with great valour for 15+ hours.

Maharaj got support from Jhunjhar Rao of Vishalgad. And he defeated Surve. Maharaj rushed "Jhunjhar Rao" to Fire those three Cannon Balls.

Meanwhile after such a long battle. Siddi Zauhar concluded Baji Prabhu Deshpande cannot be defeated in combat. Zauhar had a British made Snipper with him. Breaking all rules of combat, Zauhar gets the British Snipper to shoot Baji Prabhu Deshpande.

With Bullets in his chest and weakened right-hand. Baji Prabhu kept fighting with one hand.

Just then, Jhunjhar Rao fires the first Cannon. Baji Prabhu knows, his King has reached the fort. He keeps fighting, another Cannon is fired and at last third one is fired.

A Completely drained - injured Baji Prabhu Deshpande, collapses on his knees.

He seems to have said "आऊ साहेब तुम्हाला दिलेला वचन मी पूर्ण केला। तुमच्या शिवबा बाळाला विशाळगडीत सुखरूप पोहोचवला"

He takes his last breath by saying ""माज्या या स्वराजाचा भगवा हा असाच आसमंत निळ्या गगनाखाली लहरावा हीच अखेरची इचछा व्यक्त करतो. आऊ साहेबाना आणि मातृभूमीला आखेरचा सलाम"

Meaning "Mother Jijau, I have kept my promise. I have ensured your Sons safe arrival at Vishalgad"

"This was my last, I wish my Bhagwa Jhanda flies like this forever under the blue sky. My Last tributes to Mother Jijau and my Motherland"

Jai BHAAVANI. Jai SHIVAAJI.

Paawan i.e Purified by the sacrifice of Baji Prabhu Deshpande and 290+ other Malwas, that day, the land was renamed as Paawankhind.