SHIVA KASID Written By Venkatachalapathi. P.B. Davangere.

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Shiva Kashid





The Siege of Panhala and the Supreme Sacrifice of Shiva Kashid

The killing of Afzal Khan in 1659 CE by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj marked a decisive turning point in Deccan politics. Following this historic victory at Pratapgad, Shivaji Maharaj captured several strategic forts, including Panhala Fort (also called Panhala or Panhala Gad), located about 20 kilometers northwest of present-day Kolhapur. This success deeply humiliated the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur, which now sought revenge at any cost.

The Adil Shahi Counter-Offensive

In 1660 CE, the Adil Shahi ruler Ali Adil Shah II, determined to crush Shivaji Maharaj, dispatched his most experienced and ruthless general, Siddi Johar (Siddi Jauhar), to lay siege to Panhala Fort. Siddi Johar, originally from the region corresponding to present-day Andhra Pradesh, commanded a massive force—estimated in traditional sources to number in the hundreds of thousands, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, and siege equipment.

Joining this force were:

  • Fazal Khan, the son of Afzal Khan, is burning with vengeance for his father’s death

  • Baji Ghorpade, a Maratha who had sided with Bijapur

  • Rustam Zaman, a senior Adil Shahi commander

Their collective aim was not merely to defeat Shivaji Maharaj, but to capture him alive or kill him, thereby extinguishing the Maratha resistance once and for all.

The Crisis at Panhala Fort

At Panhala Fort, Shivaji Maharaj was surrounded by a small garrison of roughly 400–500 soldiers. Though brave and disciplined, this force was hopelessly outnumbered. Siddi Johar’s army sealed all routes, cutting off supplies. Continuous bombardment weakened the fort’s defenses, and food reserves were sufficient for only a few months.

Despite repeated assaults and growing desperation, Shivaji Maharaj refused to surrender, valuing honor and Swarajya above personal safety. Even the valiant efforts of Netaji Palkar, commander of the Maratha cavalry, failed to break the siege from outside.

As days passed, the situation became dire. Disease, hunger, and exhaustion spread within the fort. It became clear that a direct confrontation was impossible. Survival now depended on strategy, deception, and sacrifice.

The Escape Plan: Courage and Cunning

At this critical juncture, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Shivaji Maharaj’s most trusted commander, devised a daring escape plan. The objective was clear:

  • Shivaji Maharaj must escape alive

  • The enemy must be deceived

  • Someone must be willing to sacrifice everything to ensure success

A secret escape route through the fort was discovered, leading toward Vishalgad (then called Khind or Ghodkhind). Fate seemed to favor the Marathas: on the chosen night, heavy monsoon rains lashed the region, plunging the surroundings into darkness and masking movement.

Shiva Kashid: The Silent Martyr

To mislead the enemy, a man was needed who closely resembled Shivaji Maharaj. This role was accepted by Shiva Kashid, a loyal barber (Nai) in Shivaji Maharaj’s service. Shiva Kashid wore the Maharaja’s royal attire and deliberately presented himself in a manner that convinced the enemy spies that Shivaji was still inside the fort.

While Shiva Kashid remained behind, Shivaji Maharaj quietly escaped Panhala Fort under the cover of darkness with a small escort.

Siddi Johar, who had never seen Shivaji Maharaj personally, was completely deceived. When Shiva Kashid was captured, the enemy believed they had seized Shivaji himself. He was brutally tortured and executed, yet he never revealed the truth. His sacrifice bought the precious time needed for Shivaji Maharaj to reach safety.

This act of supreme selflessness by a humble barber remains one of the greatest yet least-publicized sacrifices in Indian history.

The Battle of Ghodkhind (Pavan Khind)

Meanwhile, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, along with Bandal Deshmukh and a small force of about 300 soldiers, took position at a narrow mountain pass called Ghodkhind, later renamed Pavan Khind (“the Sacred Pass”).

Their mission was clear and terrible:

  • Hold the pass until Shivaji Maharaj reaches Vishalgad

  • Fight until the last breath if necessary

Wave after wave of Adil Shahi troops attacked. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Baji Prabhu Deshpande fought with unmatched valor, sustaining severe wounds but refusing to retreat. According to tradition, he continued fighting until he heard the cannon fire from Vishalgad, signaling that Shivaji Maharaj had reached safety.

Only then did Baji Prabhu Deshpande fall, along with most of his comrades. Their sacrifice transformed a narrow mountain pass into a symbol of eternal bravery and devotion.

Aftermath and Legacy

Shivaji Maharaj successfully reached Vishalgad, regrouped his forces, and later recaptured Panhala Fort, turning defeat into renewed strength.

Deeply moved by the sacrifices that saved his life and Swarajya, Shivaji Maharaj:

  • Honored Baji Prabhu Deshpande as a martyr of the Maratha nation

  • Recognized the supreme sacrifice of Shiva Kashid, whose courage equaled that of any great warrior

Statues and memorials of Shiva Kashid and Baji Prabhu Deshpande were later erected at Panhala Fort, ensuring that their names would never be forgotten.

Conclusion

The escape from Panhala was not merely a military maneuver—it was a moral victory, built upon loyalty, sacrifice, and collective resolve. The martyrdom of Shiva Kashid, a barber by profession, stands as a powerful reminder that the survival of empires often depends on the courage of ordinary individuals willing to do extraordinary deeds.

Together, Shiva Kashid and Baji Prabhu Deshpande ensured the survival of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—and with him, the future of the Maratha Empire and the idea of Swarajya itself.

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Article  Written By Venkatachalapathi. P.B. Davangere. Pho 9901196772

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