Baji prabhu deshpande played a very important role in defeating adilshahi rajas commander afzal khan. When he uses to stand it was like a wall standing to defend any force. Tanaji malusare was a military assistant of maratha king chhatrapati shivajia local poet tulsidas wrote a powada describing tanajis heroics and sacrifice of life in the battle of sinhagad which has since made him a popular figure in marathi folklore. Chhatrapati shivaji was searching for afzal khan a powerful and unfinished opponent who was looking for a very strong and powerful opponent for the practice of his war of duality and here on the other side lord rama brought with him a ship of surma maratha warriors including vishaji. Baji prabhu deshpande c. The battle of pawankhind is very similar to 300 spartan fought with thousand of persians.
1615 1660 was a commander of maratha king chhatrapati shivaji the founder of the maratha empirethe legend of baji prabhu is intricately linked with an important rear guard battle enabling shivajis escape from panhala fort. According to david hardiman he came from a hindu koli family. The statue of baji prabhu deshpande at fort panhalgad fighting with 2 swords in his hands. He was such a pro that if he will decide then he can win over death. Baji prabhu and his men blocked the sultans army cheasing king shivaji at pawankhind mountain pass. He was command in charge of famous battle of pawankhind.
The maratha warriors are said to have been experts in the use of a gauntlet sword as called in english. Baji prabhu deshpande was extremely skilled in dandpatta. Indeed throughout his career shivaji had to fight many feudal lords of marathi origin deshpande deshmukh inamdar etc as fiercely as he fought the dictators of vijapur or delhi because shivaji was a commoner to. This is where the legend began and baji prabhu volunteered to hold the pursuing jihadis at the pass with a select band of some 300 marathas so that shivaji maharaj could proceed on to the safety of vishalgad fort. Baji prabhu deshpande was one of the famous general of great king shivaji maharaj. He uses to practice with sword 12 hours a day.
Traditionally maratha warriors were trained to fight with dual patta by. Baji prabhu deshpande was a commander of chattrapati shivaji. Bajiprabhu deshpande the hero of pawankhind. This man was very brave and served himself with total loyalties and dedication towards his king. He was the hero who sacrificed his life for his king. Baji can fight ten people at a time.
Dandpatta is sharp as a sword. He helped shivaji to emerge from panhala fort and dedicated his life for his king. Baji and his ancestors had been deshpandes feudal lords for many generations whereas shivaji was a relative commoner. The weight of baji prabhu deshpande sword is 15 kg. Baji prabhu deshpande 6ft height his moustache was like two swords. The form is more like a sheet malleable allows swift movement and thus injury.