Bajiprabhu Deshpande Biography: Baji Prabhu Deshpande is a well-known character in Indian history. Deshpande, a commander of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Maratha kingdom, is regarded as the braveheart who put down his life to allow Shivaji to flee the Panhala fort.
Bajiprabhu Deshpande Biography
Early years
Baji Prabhu was 15 years older than Shivaji, implying he was born in 1615. He was born into a Prabhu (Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu) family from Marathi.[5][6] He formerly worked for Krishnaji Bandal of Rohida, near Bhor. After defeating Krishnaji at Rohida and capturing the fort, Shivaji was joined by many commanders, including Bajiprabhu.
Bajiprabhu Deshpande The Pawankhind Battle
The battle was the last stand, which took place on July 13, 1660, at a mountain pass near Fort Vishalgad in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
In 1660, Shivaji Maharaj was trapped inside the fort of Panhala, besieged by an army of Adilshah led by a General named Siddi Masud who wanted to assassinate him.
Baji Prabhu and Shivaji Maharaj, Maratha warriors, prepared an escape to Fort Vishalgad; they ran through the army at night while a barber named Shiva Kashid, who resembled Shivaji, diverted the forces with a facade.
On the night of July 13, Shivaji fled with his troops, escaping the Adilshah army of 10,000 men, which had already surrounded Vishalgad.
Recognising that a troop of soldiers would have to remain, Baji Prabhu, his brother Fulaji Prabhu, and 300 Maratha soldiers remained at Ghod Khind (Horse’s Pass), the selected defensive position.
Baji Prabhu, who occupied Ghod Khind, halted Adilshahi troops’ path and fought them for hours while being gravely wounded.
Shivaji had informed the warrior that he would sound the cannon five times to signify his safety. According to legend, Baji Prabhu fought until he heard the cannon fire.
According to legend, Ghod Khind was renamed Pawankhind after the martyred Maratha troops and Shivaji’s devoted commander, Baji Prabhu.
Pawankhind, directed by Digpal Lanjekar, is a film tribute to one of the greatest warriors who died on July 13, allowing Shivaji to escape.
Long before Lanjekar’s picture, two silent films were made in his tribute. In 1929, Baburao Painter reportedly filmed a silent film titled Baji Prabhu Deshpande.
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Honour
When Shivaji Maharaj learned of Baji’s death, he felt a deep sadness that he would carry with him for the rest of his life. In memory of Baji, he renamed the Ghod-Kind pass Pavan-Kind (Pavan meaning pure, as purified by the blood of this great Maratha Hindu martyr). Shivaji Maharaj would also serve as Baji’s guardian for the remainder of his life.
The sword of honour was awarded to Bandal sena (Maratha Warriors) for their valiant fight against Bajiprabhu Deshpande. Shivaji Maharaj personally visited the deceased Baji Prabhu’s residence in Kasabe Sindh, near Bhor in the Pune district. His oldest son was offered a position as section chief. The Palkhi was bestowed upon the other seven sons. Dhanaji Jadhav, the son of slain Sambhaji Jadhav, joined the troops. Baji Prabhu’s family also received “manache pahile paan” (“Honour of the Court”) from Shivaji Maharaj.
Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Shiva barber’s sacrifice is legendary in and of itself. Even today, many Maharashtra youngsters hike along Shivaji Maharaj’s route between the forts of Panhala and Vishal Gadh. The distance is around 70 kilometres. The battle of Pavan Khind (Panhala) has been told as folklore in Maharashtra in a number of breathtaking forms.
