Battle of Pavan Khind

The Battle of Pavan Khind (/pɑːvʌnxɪnd/ ⓘ PAAVANKHIND); was a rearguard last stand that took place on 13 July 1660, at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur by the Maratha general Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Shambhu Singh Jadhav against Siddi Masud of the Bijapur Sultanate. The engagement ended with the destruction of the Maratha forces, and a tactical victory for the Bijapur Sultanate that failed to achieve a strategic victory.

Battle of Päwan Khind
Part of Battles involving the Maratha Empire
Date13 July 1660
Location
Pavan Khind, Vishalgad, Maharashtra, India
Result Maratha Empire Victory[1]
Belligerents
Maratha Army Bijapur Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Baji Prabhu Deshpande † Siddi Masud
Siddi Jauhar

Shivaji's escape from Panhala

Shivaji, facing a siege at Panhala Fort, first scouted an escape route through the besiegers' lines. On July 13, 1660, under the cover of darkness and aided by rain, Shivaji slipped out of the fort with 600 infantry and headed to Vishalgad. He was pursued by Siddi Jauhar’s forces led by his son-in-law, Siddi Masud, resulting in a fierce battle at the Gajapur pass. Baji Prabhu, Shivaji's ally, fought valiantly but was killed.[1] Shivaji successfully reached Vishalgad, covering 64 km in 21 hours, and then proceeded to Rajgad. The Bandals were honored for their bravery in delaying the enemy's pursuit. Shivaji punished Khandoji Khopade for his betrayal by amputating one hand and one leg, while Kanhoji Jedhe, Shivaji's trusted servant, died around September 1660.[1]

"Siddi Jauhar laid siege to Panhala. When Shivaji came down from the fort and was coming to Khelna [i.e. Vishalgad], Siddi Jauhar came in pursuit. At that time Shivaji stationed Baji Prabhu, the Deshpande, and the contingent of Bandals in the Gajapur pass and went to Khelna. Baji Prabhu and [his] men fought valorously. Baji Prabhu and some men perished. The enemy was not allowed to ascend [the pass]. Siddi Jauhar went back."

— Jedhe Chronicle, [1]
  • The battle was depicted in episodes of Raja Shivchatrapati
  • In 2022, a Marathi-language film depicting the battle is titled Pawankhind directed by Digpal Lanjekar starring Chinmay Mandlekar as Shivaji and Ajay Purkar as Baji Prabhu Deshpande released on 21 January.[2]

See also

References
  1. Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale (2011). Shivaji His Life and Times. pp. 460–462.
  2. "THESE character posters of Digpal Lanjekar's 'Pawankhind' will get you all excited for the film". Times of India. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.

16°52′N 73°50′E

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