Baji Prabhu Deshpande : the Story of Pavan Khind

Baji Prabhu Deshpande was a strong commander of Maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. he was born in 1615 in Shind, Bhor, Pune district, Maharashtra. He was 15 years older than Shivaji Maharaj.

After defeating Afzal Khan and his army at the fort of Pratapgad. Shivaji Maharaj continued capturing Bijapuri forts. Within few days the Marathas captured the fort of Panhala. Meanwhile the Bijapuris sent Siddhi Johar (a commander of Bijapuri dynasty.) for defeating Shivaji Maharaj. Siddhi Johar discovered the location of Shivaj Maharaja and surrounded Panhala. When Shivaji Maharaj got to know about Siddhi Johar, He wrote a letter of surrender to Siddhi Johar. After reading letter Siddhi Johar became very happy and he and his army took Shivaji Maharaj casually. That night the lightning were striking and there was a heavy rainfall, Shivaji Maharaj and his army of 600 people thought to escape from the fort and shift to Vishal gad fort. The Bijapuri soldier which were keeping eye on the gate of the camp didn’t do their job as, they thought that Shivaji will surrender. Shivaji Maharaja escaped from the route where the soldiers were not there. After some time, Siddhi Johar got to know about Shivaji Maharaj and he started to follow Maratha army. When the Maratha army reached to Ghodkhind (Pavan Khind) the Incognito of Marathas said Shivaji Maharaj the news about Siddhi Johar, after listening this Baji Prabhu Deshpande said Shivaji Maharaj to shoot a blast of canon when he reaches to Vishal gad fort. After listening this, Shivaji Maharaj agreed this and his palanquin and 300 soldier headed to Vishal gad fort leaving 300 soldiers and Baji Prabhu Deshpande behind. After Shivaji Maharaj head to Vishal gad fort Baji Deshpande blocked the horse pass(Ghodkhind), and removed his both swords and started war of Ghodkhind (Pavan Khind) 14 July 1660.

The Bijapuri army reached to the Ghodkhind and, the battle of Pavan Khind started. Baji Prabhu Deshpande had caviar cuts on his body but he didn’t stop he continued fighting, He fought for 18 hours. After 18 hours he heard the sound of the burst of canon, it was the signal to Baji Deshpande that Shivaji Maharaj reached at Vishal gad fort. After hearing it he left his breathe and he died. Baji Prabhu Deshpande died but happily, he fought but not for himself instead, he fought for Swarajya, he fought for Shivaji Maharaj. After the battle Shivaji Maharaj named Ghodkhind as Pavan Khind in the memory of Baji Prabhu Deshpande and, he was noted in the history of Swarajya for his sacrifice. We should salute these kind of warriors.