Tuesday 17 March 2009

26. Vs Bahlol Khan from Vijapur

Shivaji was ready to face a swift attack from Vijapur now. Greatness of this personality is he never allowed his enemies to unite against him & decided to strike Bahlolkhan before he could join by his generals. This attack was leaded by his commander-in-chief Prataprao Gujar in mar 1673. This battle known as battle of Umrani. Marathas hemmed in Behlolkhan’s army & blocked the access to water source. The bitter fight lasted till sunset. Casualties were heavy on both sides. After sunset, Vijapur forces managed to get access to water. Next day Maratha forces withdrew from there even after Bahlolkhan surrendered completely in front of Prataprao Gujar by bending on his knees.

Shivaji blamed Prataprao for allowing khan to escape. Don’t know what happened but Prataprao must have his own reasons for allowing khan to escape. Now Maratha forces moved towards south & attacked Hubli in 2nd week of apl.1673. Bahlolkhan who was released by Prataprao again struck Maratha forces in Kalhapur region. Shivaji was very angry on Prataprao about it. He wrote a letter to his general Prataprao saying don’t show me face again till you catch Bahlolkhan again. Stung to the quick, Prataprao Gujar rashly fell upon camp of Behlolkhan of 10,000 with just 6 warriors with him. This happened at Nesari & date was 24th feb.1674.

Prataprao & all other 6 were killed in this attack. We all know a song ‘Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat’ After Prataprao Gujar, Hambhirrao Mohite became commander-in-chief of Marathas. But Bahlolkhan was behind 2nd commander-in-chief Anandrao. He also asked assistance from Diler khan against Anandrao. But Anandrao took his way towards Kanara, journeying 15 leagues per day, which was impossible for Mughals & Vijapur. Knowing it is impossible to catch Anandrao, Diler khan turned towards Panhala & laid siege to it. After 5 days he returned to his base station. Bahlolkhan went to Kolhapur region.

Anandrao otherway attacked Bankapur & Pench, which were Jagirs of Bahlolkhan & plundered them completely. He killed Khizr khan, cousin of Bahlolkhan & brought 500 horses & 2 elephants. He returned to Raigad, to present booty to his king Shivaji. Soon again he was ready for more rob attacks on Bahlolkhan’s Jagir. Shivaji now had a compact territory & an efficient army & navy under him. Mughals inactive, Vijapur distracted, Golkonda friendly, British on good behaviour & some what weak Portugiz – this was picture in totality in Deccan at beginning of 1674.

It was while Aurangzeb was on his way to Hasan Abdal near Rawalpindi, he got the news that Shivaji has crowned himself as CHHATRAPATI on 6th june 1674, & set himself as sovereign prince. He was no more only a rajah, but only “Coroneted King of Medieval Indian History After 1300 Years.”

23 comments:

  1. Hello,

    Nice articles you have, congrats! Can you please tell me the name of the other six people who died with Prataprao Gujar? Because, i've read so much about them but still can not find names of those six brave people!

    Please reply at: nikhilmkhaire@gmail.com

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  2. Nikhil .. sorry for delayed reply ... but history doesnt knows the names of other 6 soldiers who sacrificed with Prataprao gujar ... :(

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  3. kon hote te sha jan?
    uttar ghy:-01) Visaji Ballal.
    02) Dipaji Rautrao.
    03) Vitthal Pilaji Atre.
    04) Krushnaji Bhaskar.
    05) Siddhi Hilal.
    06) Vithoji
    07) aani .... Kudtoji urfa Sarnoubat Prataprao Gujar .jay hind jah maharastra!

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    Replies
    1. Dhanyawad swapnil, Ha itihaas ani hi naav atachya navin pidhila mahit asan avashyak aahe, dhanyawad punha ekda.

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  4. Gaurav ...

    i know that other 6 names are written on Walls of memorial but they are not real. at least we do not hv any actual historical reference for the same.

    so even though i know these 6 names i hv not posted them in ans as its not 100% sure information...

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  5. jai HIND !!!!
    JAI MAHARASTRA!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. I am Maratha. Probably my ancestors came with Chatrapathi Shivajiraje to Tamil Nadu and settled here. whenever I read about the life history of our Shivajiraje my head raises high with pride. Long live our Chatrapathi Shivajiraje Maharaj

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  6. JAI BHAVANI JAI SHIVAJI JAI MAHARASHTRA JAI HINDUTWA

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  7. mala raje shivaji yanni suru kelelya karkhnyachi(factory) mahiti pahije

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  8. The Best... Jai Maharastra... Jai Shivaji!!!

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  9. Very good article, Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji.

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  10. Vedhat marathe veer doudale ssat

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  11. Nice memory refresh. Oh where are those glorious days, where Prataprao Gujar and others fought for honour and king ! Good Article. Thanks

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  12. हे माझ्या अतिशय आवडीचे स्फुरणगीत आहे. या गाण्यामागील इतिहास मला त्रोटकपणे माहित होता पण आज तुमच्यामुळे मला त्याची नीट माहिती मिळाली. त्यासाठी खूप धन्यवाद. मला त्यांचा त्यावेळच्या पोशाखाची माहिती मिळू शकेल ? तसेच या गाण्यावर कोणी एखादी video-clip तयार केली असेल तर माहितीसाठी upload करू शकाल काय ? - माधुरी.

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  13. मला छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे आणि त्यांचे मावळे यांच्याबद्दल फार अभिमान आहे राजे व त्याचे सरदार हे मुगलांना व आदिलशहाला पुरुन उरले होते. महारजांचे मार्गदर्शन व त्यांच्यावर असलेल्या निष्ठा व प्रेमामुळेच मावळ्यानी प्रचंड पराक्रम दाखवला व आपले स्वराज्य अबाधित ठेवले, मला गर्व आहे मी महाराष्ट्रियन असल्याचा.

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  14. मला शुर अाम्ही सरदार अाम्हाला काय कुणाची भिती या गाण्याची लिंक मिळु शकते का? व शिवचरित्र व मराठ्याचा इतिहास हि पुस्तके कुठे व कशी उपलब्ध होतील?

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