Baji Prabhu Deshpande


Baji Prabhu Deshpande was a general of the Maratha army. He is known for his role in the Battle of Pavan Khind, where he sacrificed his life defending Chhatrapati [Shivaji Maharaj] from Siddi Jauhar's Bijapur forces. He also was a landlord or Vatandar in the Maval region.

Early life

Baji Prabhu was born around 1615 in a Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu family. Earlier he worked under Krishnaji Bandal of Rohida near Bhor. After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj defeated Krishnaji at Rohida and captured the fort, many commanders including Baji Prabhu joined Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Battle of Pavan Khind

After defeating Afzal Khan and routing the Bijapur army at Pratapgad, Shivaji continued to push into the Bijapur territory. Within a few days, the Marathas captured Panhala fort. Meanwhile, another Maratha force, led by Netaji Palkar, pushed towards Bijapur. Bijapur forces repulsed this attack, forcing Shivaji, some of his commanders and soldiers to retreat to Panhala fort.
The Bijapur troops were led by Siddi Jauhar, an Abyssinian general. Discovering Shivaji's location, Jauhar laid siege to Panhala. Netaji Palkar made repeated attempts to break the siege from outside, but these failed.
A risky plan was then put into action: Shivaji, Baji Prabhu Deshpande with a select band of troops would attempt to break through the siege at the night, and make for Vishalgad. In order to deceive the Bijapur forces, to avoid a chase if they found out that Shivaji had broken the siege, Shiva Kashid a barber by profession, had physical resemblance to Shivaji, volunteered to dress like the king and let himself be captured.
At night, Shivaji, broke through the siege. They were pursued by the Bijapur force. As planned, Shiva Kashid allowed himself to be captured and taken back to the Bijapur camp, guessing that he would be put to death once the charade was discovered. This gave the fleeing Maratha force some breathing space.
As soon as the Bijapur force realized their mistake, the chase was on again, led by Siddi Masud, the son-in-law of Siddi Jauhar. Near the pass of Ghodkhind, the Marathas made a final stand. Shivaji and half of the Maratha force pushed for Vishalgadh, while Baji Prabhu, his brother Phulaji and the remaining Bandal Sena of a few hundred men blocked the pass and fought off the pursuing Bijapur soldiers for more than 18 hours.
Through the battle, Baji Prabhu, continued fighting though grievously injured, inspiring his men to fight on until Shivaji's safe journey to Vishalgadh was signaled by the firing cannons.
The Ghod Khind pass was subsequently named Pavan Khind by Shivaji, in honor of the sacrifice of Baji Prabhu and his troops.

Descendants

Baji Prabhu Deshpande was born in Bhor, Maharashtra.
Vishnu Narayan Deshpande, the 10th descendant and former Sarapanch of Parhar Budruk, was a freedom fighter. His wife Latika Deshpande was a relative of the author Ram Ganesh Gadkari. The family has a relationship with the family of Rango Bapuji Gupte. Vishnu Narayan Deshpande had four sons and four daughters. His son Dilip Deshpande helped people displaced by dam building, and farming is their family business. The family conducts social work and is aware of the legacy of Baji Prabhu.
One of Baji Prabhu Despande's descendants, Ramchandra Kashinath Deshpande, was an Indian freedom fighter against the British rule, an educationalist and a social activist who worked in Dhule and Jalgaon. He participated in the Quit India Movement during the British rule and was imprisoned for 19 months in the Kolhapur Central Jail. He was congratulated after Independence by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. For his social work, he was given the title of 'Special Executive Magistrate' by the Maharashtra government in 1989.

In popular culture