Battle of Pavan Khind: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Last stand of the Maratha rearguard against the Adil Shahi forces following the Siege of Panhala}}
{{Short description|1660 battle between Maratha and Bijapur in India}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}


{{More citations needed|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Päwan Khind
| conflict          = Battle of Pavan Khind
| width            =  
| width            =  
| partof            = Imperial Maratha Expansion
| partof            =  
| image            = Shivaji Maharaj and Baji Prabhu at Pawan Khind.jpg
| image            = Baji Prabhu Deshpande Statue in Panhala Fort.jpg
| caption          = A 20th century depiction by painter [[M.V. Dhurandhar]] of [[Shivaji]] and [[Bajiprabhu|Baji Prabhu]] at Pawan Khind
| caption          =  
| date              = 13 July 1660
| date              = 1660
| place            = Pavan Khind, [[Vishalgad]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| place            = Pavan Khind, [[Vishalgad]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| coordinates      =  
| coordinates      =  
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| result            = Inconclusive
| result            = Inconclusive
| combatants_header =  
| combatants_header =  
| combatant1        = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|25px]] [[Maratha Army]]
| combatant1        = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|25px]] [[Maratha Empire]]
| combatant2        = [[Bijapur Sultanate]]
| combatant2        = [[Bijapur Sultanate]]
| commander1        = [[Bajiprabhu|Baji Prabhu Deshpande]]{{KIA}}<br>Fulaji Prabhu Deshpande{{KIA}}<br>Rayaji Bandal {{KIA}}<br>Shambu Singh Jadhav{{KIA}}
| commander1        = [[Bajiprabhu|Baji Prabhu Deshpande]]{{KIA}}<br />Fulaji Prabhu Deshpande{{KIA}}<br />Rayaji Bandal {{KIA}}<br />Shambu Singh Jadhav{{KIA}}
| commander2        = [[Siddi Masud]]<br>Siddi Jauhar
| commander2        = [[Siddi Masud]]<br>Siddi Jauhar<br>Rustam Zaman<br>Fazar Khan
| strength1        = 600
| strength1        =  
| strength2        = 10,000
| strength2        =  
| casualties1      = 300
| casualties1      =  
| casualties2      = 5,000
| casualties2      =  
| notes            =  
| notes            =  
}}
}}
'''Battle of Pävankhind''' was a rearguard [[last stand]] that took place on 13 July 1660,<ref>Jann Tibbetts, 50 Great Military Leaders of All Time (Vij Books, 2016)</ref> at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort [[Vishalgad]], near the city of [[Kolhapur]] with the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] warrior [[Baji Prabhu Deshpande]] and Sambhu Singh Jadhav against [[Siddi Masud]] of the [[Bijapur Sultanate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hinduperspective.com/2013/05/04/hindu-resistance-baji-prabhu-the-battle-of-pavan-khind/|title=Shivaji, Baji Prabhu & the Battle of Pavan Khind|date=4 May 2013|publisher=Hindu Perspective}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/International-film-on-Shivaji-Maharaj-for-global-audience/articleshow/12532149.cms|title=International film on Shivaji for global audience|publisher=Times of India}}</ref> The engagement ended with the destruction of the Maratha forces, and a tactical victory for the [[Bijapur Sultanate]], but failing to achieve a strategic victory.


==Prelude==
The '''Battle of Pavan Khind''' ({{IPAc-en|p|aː|v|ʌ|n|x|ɪ|n|d|audio=Paawankhind.ogg}} {{Respell|PAAVANKHIND}}) was a rearguard [[last stand]] that took place in September 1660, at a mountain pass in the vicinity of [[Vishalgad]] between the forces of the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] and the pursuing [[Sultanate of Bijapur|Bijapur Sultanate]] forces.
{{Uncited section|date=March 2022}}
In 1660, [[Shivaji]] was trapped in the fort of [[Panhala]], under siege and vastly outnumbered by an Adilshah army led by an [[Habesha peoples|Abyssinian]] General called [[Siddi Masud]]. Shivaji planned to escape to the Maratha fort of Vishalgad. Two Maratha sardars under the Adilshahi General Siddi Jouhar, namely Suryarao Surve and Jaswantrao Dalvi had also encircled the fort of Vishalgad simultaneously. Shivaji waited for months, planning and depleting the Adilshah's food source.


Shivaji, Baji Prabhu, and around 600 of their best troops, would dash through the Adilshahi force at night. A man named Shiva Kashid, who resembled Shivaji in appearance, had volunteered to dress like the king and get captured. This bought some additional time due to the confusion over identity, before Siddi Masud realised the error and gave chase.
After escaping the [[Siege of Panhala (1660)|Siege of Panhala]], [[Shivaji]] and his small accompaniment were pursued by [[Siddi Masud]] of the Bijapur Sultanate with a much larger force. As morning was breaking, the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] generals [[Baji Prabhu Deshpande]] and Shambhu Singh Jadhav with half of the force fortified a narrow mountain pass and repulsed the chasing cavalry and continued fighting off the Bijapuri infantry. When Shivaji and the rest of the force reached the fort they sounded the signal with cannon and the remaining Maratha forces retreated.  


[[File:Baji Prabhu Deshpande Statue in Panhala Fort.jpg|thumb|Baji Prabhu Deshpande Statue in Panhala Fort]]
According to legends, despite being mortally wounded Baji Prabhu Deshpande continued defending and encouraging his troops until he heard the signal. The engagement ended with the destruction of the Maratha forces, and a tactical victory for the Bijapur Sultanate that failed to achieve the strategic victory of capturing Shivaji.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duff |first=James Grant |author-link=James Grant Duff |url=https://www.ibiblio.org/britishraj/Duff.html |title=A History of the Mahrattas |publisher=Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green |year=1826 |location=London |pages=151-153 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kincaid |first=Dennis |author-link=Dennis Kincaid |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.8382/page/n115 |title=The Grand Rebel: An Impression of Shivaji, Founder of the Maratha Empire |publisher=Collins |year=1936 |pages=127-128 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |url=http://archive.org/details/shivajihistimes00sarkrich |title=Shivaji and his times |date= |publisher=Longmans, Green and co. |others=University of California Libraries |year=1920 |edition=2nd |location=London, New York |pages=83-85}}</ref>
 
Shivaji made his escape on the dark night of 13 July, with his troops and the Adilshah army was in pursuit with an army of 10,000. It was clear that there was no way to shake off the enemy, and that the Marathas would not simultaneously prevail over both the Moghul garrison at Vishalgad and the chasing Adilshahi army.
 
The only option was for a section of the Marathas to stay back and fight the larger Adilshahi forces in a rearguard action, while the rest of the Marathas would carry on to their destination. Shivaji decided to split his forces. Baji Prabhu agreed to face the troops of Bijapur with 300 soldiers. Shivaji told Baji Prabhu that he would hear cannons being fired 5 times from Vishalgad, signaling Shivaji’s safety. The strategic position of Ghod Khind (Horse Pass) was chosen for the defence, as it was very narrow and only a few soldiers could pass at any one time.
 
==Battle==
{{Uncited section|date=March 2022}}
{{Expand section|date=March 2022}}
{{Story|section|date=February 2020}}
Baji Prabhu occupied Ghod Khind, blocking the path of the Adilshah troops. His brother Fulaji Prabhu as well as sardars such as Shambusing Jadhav were present with him. Fulaji Prabhu and Shambusing were killed after a gallant and fierce fight. Baji Prabhu was severely wounded but carried on fighting at his station. The Adilshahi army repeatedly tried to break through the defenses of the pass, but were repeatedly repulsed. The unequal battle raged for hours, with the defenders maintaining their positions, but with rapidly depleting numbers. Only a handful of Marathas survived, and around a thousand soldiers of the Adilshahi army became casualties in attempting to take the pass.
 
Five hours after the battle started, the cannon fire announcing Shivaji’s safe return to Vishalgad was heard.  Almost three hundred Marathas had been killed. Legend has it that a gravely injured Baji Prabhu continued engaging the enemy and held the pass, only laying down his life once he heard the sound of cannon fire. The handful surviving Marathas then retreated and disappeared in the forest as per the plan.
 
Shivaji and his 300 soldiers had to break through the encirclement of Suryarao and Jaswantrao at Vishalgadh. A fierce battle ensued in which Shivaji himself fought wearing [[Pata (sword)|Dandpatta]] in his both hands. Seeing this fight, the commander of Vishalgadh fort sent help to Shivaji enabling him and his troops to reach the fort safely. Shivaji then fired cannons as a signal for Baji Prabhu to retreat.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sawant|first=Indrajit|title=Parnalparvat Panhalgad}}</ref><ref>(Tarikh-i-Ali, 82-93 ; B. S. 353-357 ; F. R. Rajapur, Kolhapur to Sural, dated 5 June. 1660. Chit. 64 ; Dig. 175-176 ; T. S. I8b-19a.)</ref><ref>[Chil. 64-65; Dig. 182-185; T. S. 19a & b; the name of Siddi Aziz is given by Duff (i. 181) only, while T, 5. reads Siddi Halal. The Persian works are absolutely silent about this retreat. Vishalgarh is 27 miles from Panhala via Malkapur. (Ind. At. 40 S. W.)]"</ref>
 
==Aftermath==
{{Uncited-section|date=April 2022}}
The pass, Ghod Khind (Horse Pass) was renamed Pavan Khind (Sacred Pass) in honour of the sacrifice of the 300 Maratha troops.


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==


* The battle was depicted in episodes of [[Raja Shivchatrapati]].
* The battle was depicted in episodes of ''[[Raja Shivchatrapati]]''
* In 2022, a Marathi-language film depicting the battle titled as ''[[Pawankhind (film)|Pawankhind]]'' directed by Digpal Lanjekar starring [[Chinmay Mandlekar]] as [[Shivaji]] and Ajay Purkar as [[Baji Prabhu Deshpande]] released on 21 January.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/these-character-posters-of-digpal-lanjekars-pawankhind-will-get-you-all-excited-for-the-film/articleshow/88539211.cms|title=THESE character posters of Digpal Lanjekar's 'Pawankhind' will get you all excited for the film|date=28 December 2021|publisher=Times of India|access-date=5 January 2022}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[Pawankhind (film)|Pawankhind]],'' a Marathi-language film depicting the battle directed by Digpal Lanjekar and starring [[Chinmay Mandlekar]] as [[Shivaji]] and Ajay Purkar as [[Baji Prabhu Deshpande]] was released on 21 January.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/these-character-posters-of-digpal-lanjekars-pawankhind-will-get-you-all-excited-for-the-film/articleshow/88539211.cms|title=THESE character posters of Digpal Lanjekar's 'Pawankhind' will get you all excited for the film|date=28 December 2021|publisher=Times of India|access-date=5 January 2022}}</ref>
* Also in 2022, ''[[Har Har Mahadev]]'', another Marathi-language film depicting the prior siege and the battle directed by Abhijeet Deshpande and starring [[Subodh Bhave]] as Shivaji and [[Sharad Kelkar]] as Baji Prabhu Deshpande was released on 25 October.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Battle of Kolhapur]]
* [[Battle of Kolhapur]]
* [[Battle of Thermopylae]]
* [[Third Battle of Panipat]]
* [[Third Battle of Panipat]] (1761), A massive historic battle between Maratha empire and [[Durrani Empire]] of [[Afghanistan]] at [[Panipat]]. [[Shah]] of Durrani empire [[Ahmad Shah Durrani|Ahmad Shah Abdali]] led the invasion, [[Sadashivrao Bhau]] led Maratha army.
* [[List of last stands]]  
* [[List of last stands]]  
{{portal bar|war|military}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Battles involving the Maratha Empire|Pavankhind]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Maratha Empire|Pavankhind]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1660|Pavan Khind]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1660|Pavan Khind]]
[[Category:History of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Last stands|Pavan Khind]]
[[Category:Last stands|Pavan Khind]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Sultanate of Bijapur]]

Latest revision as of 12:23, 12 March 2026


Battle of Pavan Khind
Date1660
Location
Pavan Khind, Vishalgad, Maharashtra, India
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Bijapur Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Baji Prabhu Deshpande 
Fulaji Prabhu Deshpande 
Rayaji Bandal  
Shambu Singh Jadhav 
Siddi Masud
Siddi Jauhar
Rustam Zaman
Fazar Khan

The Battle of Pavan Khind (/pɑːvʌnxɪnd/ (About this soundlisten) PAAVANKHIND) was a rearguard last stand that took place in September 1660, at a mountain pass in the vicinity of Vishalgad between the forces of the Maratha and the pursuing Bijapur Sultanate forces.

After escaping the Siege of Panhala, Shivaji and his small accompaniment were pursued by Siddi Masud of the Bijapur Sultanate with a much larger force. As morning was breaking, the Maratha generals Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Shambhu Singh Jadhav with half of the force fortified a narrow mountain pass and repulsed the chasing cavalry and continued fighting off the Bijapuri infantry. When Shivaji and the rest of the force reached the fort they sounded the signal with cannon and the remaining Maratha forces retreated.

According to legends, despite being mortally wounded Baji Prabhu Deshpande continued defending and encouraging his troops until he heard the signal. The engagement ended with the destruction of the Maratha forces, and a tactical victory for the Bijapur Sultanate that failed to achieve the strategic victory of capturing Shivaji.[1][2][3]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Duff, James Grant (1826). A History of the Mahrattas. London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green. pp. 151–153.
  2. Kincaid, Dennis (1936). The Grand Rebel: An Impression of Shivaji, Founder of the Maratha Empire. Collins. pp. 127–128.
  3. Sarkar, Jadunath (1920). Shivaji and his times. University of California Libraries (2nd ed.). London, New York: Longmans, Green and co. pp. 83–85.
  4. "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 / 16.867°N 73.833°E / 16.867; 73.833