Battle of Pawankhind
Pawankhind is a
khind or valley between the pathway of panhala and Vishal gad in western ghat
section of sahyadri mountain range in Kolhapur district. It has very high
historical remarks and has very important place in heart of everyone in Maharashtra.
The war happened here between Maratha Empire and adilshah forces. Baji prabhu Deshpande
was leading the Maratha forces and adilshah forces was leaded by Siddi Masud. This
was helped Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to escape from the panhala fort and reach
to the Vishal gad fort without getting caught by adilshah forces.
How to Reach:
Pawankhind is
situated on the side of the road connecting amba ghat and anuskura ghat which
connects desh region to the konkan region. Pawankhind historical Monument is
240 km away from the pune city, 120 km away from Satara city and 65 km away
from the Kolhapur city. The Pawankhind is well connected with roadways and they
are in very good condition. Many interested trekkers do the trek from panhala
fort to Vishal gad fort via Pawankhind to remember the braveness of Marathas.
From Pune: Pune- Satara- Karad- Narayanwadi- Malkapur-
amba- Pawankhind.
From Satara: Satara- Karad- Narayanwadi- Malkapur-
amba- Pawankhind.
From Kolhapur: Kolhapur- Panhala- Malkapur- amba- Pawankhind.
History
In the year
1660, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was trapped in panhala fort by the adilshahi
amry which was leaded by siddi Johar which was the stateman of Karnul state. Finally,
after several months Raje decided to get down from the fort and to reach the
Vishal gad fort. It was very dangerous plan and probability of getting caught
by adilshahi forces were very high. But finally, route was confirmed by men of
bahirji naik secretly.
Chatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj started to step down from the panhala fort on the very dark
night of 13 July 1660 with the army of only 600 men. One of the villager of
nearby village named Shiva Kashid with great heart came forward and resembled
like Shivraya and went with different route towards malkapur to distract the
enemy forces. So that Shivraya can go to vishalgad without any problem in
between.
However, Shiva
kashid gets caught by siddi masud while going through the palkhi. Siddi masud
bring back Shiva kashid to the army base and starts to celebrate his victory. But
Baji ghorpade and one of the son of Afzal khan recognizes shiva kashid and tell
siddi johar that he is fake and dressed like shivaji. Siddi johar instantly
kills shiva kashid and orders siddi masud to take 10000 troops and capture
shivaji maharaj without getting any time wasted. Shiva Kashid Died for Hindu
dharma and his scarification Never be forgotten till sun dies.
Adilshah forces
get very close to the Maratha forces near ghod khind. Baji prabhu Deshpande and
other 300 bandal decides to stay back in ghod khind and oppose the adilshahi
troops. In meanwhile time, shivraya can go to the vishal gad fort and he will
fire 5 cannon balls from the fort after reaching there.
Baji prabhu was
ready with his brother and Bandal Forces to fight with adilshah army. Brave
Maratha wore Dandaptta in his both hands and stood between the way of adilshahi
forces and Shivaji Maharaj. Brave Marathas fought for almost 6 hours that day. Shivaji
Maharaj on other hand fough with suryarao surve and Jaswantrao Dalvi who was at
the base of vishal gad fort with their armies. After Shivaji Maharaj Reached
Vishalgad fort, 5 Cannon balls were fired and with sound of that Baji prabhu
stopped to fight and died. All of the 300 Bandal forces with Baji prabhu had
unforgotten death that day. It was renamed as Pawankhind thereafter, because it
got pawan (blessed) by the blood of all Marathas died there. Every
Maharashtrian must visit Pawankhind to remember the war fought here by Marathas
for there king.
Nearest Places to Visit:
Chandoli
National Park: Pawankhind is very near situated with chandoli reserved forest. Jungle
safari and other activities are available here.
Vishal Gad:
Vishalgad fort is 15 km away from the Pawankhind and is one of the most
important historical monument.
Panhala Fort:
Panhala fort is 50 km away from Pawankhind and is one of the favorite historical
fort very near to the Kolhapur city.
Marleshwar
Temple: Mahadev temple in marleshwar is 41 km away from the Pawankhind and is
very famous temple carved into the mountain.
Sahyadri tiger reserve: Sahyadri tiger reserve is a forest reserve on
the bank of shivsagar backwater very near to the chandoli forest reserve.
https://maharashtratourists.blogspot.com/2023/03/sahyadri-tiger-reserve.html
"Leave nothing
but footprints, Take nothing but memories."
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