⚔️ THE BATTLE OF PAWAN KHIND पावन खिंड🗡️
The Battle of Pawan Khind is one of the most legendary and heroic episodes in the history of the Maratha Empire. It was fought on 13 July 1660 near a mountain pass in the Sahyadri range (Western Ghats), close to the village of Gajapur in present-day Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. This battle is remembered for the supreme sacrifice and bravery of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, one of the most loyal and courageous commanders of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Background: In 1660, Shivaji Maharaj was trapped inside Panhala Fort by the powerful army of Siddi Jauhar, a general of the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur. The siege was intense and Shivaji Maharaj had to devise a clever escape plan to reach the safer Vishalgad Fort, about 60 kilometers away.
The Escape Plan: Shivaji Maharaj, along with a small group of trusted men, escaped from Panhala Fort under the cover of night. To mislead the enemy, he left behind a lookalike named Shiva Kashid, who pretended to be Shivaji Maharaj and allowed himself to be captured.
To ensure that Shivaji Maharaj could reach Vishalgad safely, Baji Prabhu Deshpande and around 300-500 Bandal soldiers stayed back to block the pass of Ghod Khind, a narrow gorge later known as Pawan Khind (Sacred Pass).
The Battle of Pawan Khind
Date: 13 July 1660
Place: Ghod Khind (later renamed Pawan Khind), near Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Defenders: Baji Prabhu Deshpande and a small Maratha force
Attackers: Adilshahi forces under Siddi Masud, chasing Shivaji
Despite being heavily outnumbered, Baji Prabhu and his men fought fiercely for several hours. Their goal was to delay the enemy long enough for Shivaji Maharaj to reach Vishalgad safely.
Baji Prabhu, though seriously wounded, continued fighting until he heard the sound of cannon fire from Vishalgad — the pre-decided signal that Shivaji had reached the fort safely.
Legacy and Significance: Baji Prabhu Deshpande died a heroic death at Paavan Khind. His sacrifice allowed Shivaji Maharaj to survive and later strengthen the Maratha Empire. Shivaji Maharaj renamed the pass as Pawan Khind, meaning “Sacred Pass”, in honour of the martyrs.
Memorial and Cultural Impact: A memorial to Baji Prabhu and the battle exists at Pawan Khind. This battle has been immortalised in folk songs, literature, drama, and films (e.g., the Marathi movie Paavan Khind released in 2022).
It is a symbol of loyalty, courage, and patriotism in Maharashtra and Indian history.
BAJI PRABHU DESHPANDE (Died: 13 July 1660)
The Hero of Pawan Khind, Baji Prabhu Deshpande was known for unmatched loyalty and bravery in defending Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the escape to Vishalgad.
Who was Baji Prabhu Deshpande?
Baji Prabhu Deshpande was a fierce warrior, trusted commander, and devoted follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. He belonged to the Deshpande family from the Konkan region of Maharashtra and came from the CKP (Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu) community, known for their valour and administrative skills.
Qualities and Character
Loyal: Completely dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Swarajya.
Brave: Never feared death; chose to die in battle for a noble cause.
Disciplined: Led soldiers with strict discipline and high morale.
Strategic: Played a key role in military campaigns and defensive warfare.
His Greatest Moment: The Battle of Pawan Khind
When Shivaji Maharaj was trapped in Panhala Fort by the forces of Siddi Jauhar in 1660, Baji Prabhu volunteered to stay behind and fight the enemy so that Shivaji Maharaj could escape to Vishalgad safely.
With only around 300-500 Bandal soldiers, Baji Prabhu blocked the narrow mountain pass called Ghod Khind and held off thousands of enemy troops.
Even after being grievously wounded, he kept fighting until he heard the signal of cannon fire from Vishalgad — the sign that Shivaji had reached safely.
Shortly after, Baji Prabhu breathed his last — becoming a martyr for Swarajya.
Legacy and Honour: Shivaji Maharaj, in his memory, renamed Ghod Khind as Pawan Khind, meaning “Sacred Pass”.
Baji Prabhu is remembered as the ideal of loyalty, patriotism, and bravery.
His sacrifice is celebrated in folk songs, poetry, school textbooks, and films (notably the 2022 Marathi film Paavan Khind).
Why Is He Important? Baji Prabhu Deshpande's actions not only saved Shivaji Maharaj’s life but also helped preserve the future of the Maratha Empire. His courage became a source of inspiration for generations of freedom fighters.
Famous Quote (attributed)
"मी झुंजेन, पण महाराजांना वाचवून राहीन!"
"I will fight, but I will make sure Maharaj is saved!"
SHIVA KASHID
The brave barber, Shiva Kashid, who fooled the enemy by disguising as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, sacrificed his life during the escape from Panhala Fort in 1660.
Who Was Shiva Kashid? Shiva Kashid was a barber by profession and a loyal follower of Shivaji Maharaj. He belonged to the Maratha community and lived near the Panhala region in Maharashtra.
His name is remembered in history not for his profession, but for his unmatched bravery and sacrifice during one of the most critical moments in Shivaji Maharaj’s life.
His Heroic Role in Shivaji Maharaj’s Escape: In 1660, Shivaji Maharaj was trapped inside Panhala Fort by the Adilshahi general Siddi Jauhar. The fort was surrounded, and the situation was dangerous.
Shivaji Maharaj planned a secret escape at night to Vishalgad Fort, but he knew the enemy would be on high alert and likely chase him.
The Plan
Shivaji Maharaj’s soldiers noticed that Shiva Kashid looked very similar to Maharaj in face and body structure.
A clever plan was made:
➡️ Shiva Kashid would dress up exactly like Shivaji Maharaj,
➡️ Let himself be captured by the enemy,
➡️ And buy time for the real Shivaji Maharaj to escape unnoticed.
Shiva Kashid agreed without hesitation, fully aware that it meant certain death.
Capture and Martyrdom: The plan worked!
The enemy captured Shiva Kashid, believing he was Shivaji Maharaj.
But soon, they realised they had been tricked.
In their fury and humiliation, they killed Shiva Kashid, but his bravery gave Shivaji Maharaj enough time to advance toward Vishalgad.
His sacrifice, along with Baji Prabhu Deshpande’s stand at Pawan Khind, ensured the success of the escape.
Legacy and Honour: Shiva Kashid is remembered as a selfless hero who gave his life to save his king and the Swarajya mission.
Although not as widely known as other Maratha warriors, his story is remembered as a shining example of devotion, patriotism, and courage.
Statues and memorials of Shiva Kashid can be found in some regions, and his story is mentioned in Maratha folklore and ballads.
Why is he important? Because of Shiva Kashid’s quick thinking and willing sacrifice, Shivaji Maharaj was able to survive and continue building the Maratha Empire. His loyalty and courage are an inspiration for all generations.
