Murarbaji
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2017) |
Murarbaji Deshpande | |
|---|---|
 General of Maratha Army | |
| Monarch | Shivaji I |
| Personal details | |
| Occupation | Kiladar of Purandar Fort |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Maratha Empire |
| Service | Maratha Army |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Purandar |
Murarbaji Deshpande (17th century) was a general in the early Maratha Empire during the reign of Chatrapati Shivaji. He is best remembered for his defense of the Purandar Fort against Dilir Khan, a Mughal general who accompanied Jai Singh I in the 17th-century siege on Purandar.[1]
Early life
[edit]Murarbaji Deshpande was born into a Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu[2] family and his native land was the Javali Satara District. He was the gallant commander who commanded 700 mavle (maratha troop) to attack Diler Khan.[3]
Battle of Purandar
[edit] |
The battle for Purandar fort was a landmark battle of symbolic importance for both the Marathas and Mughals. It was essential for the Marathas to hold off the Mughals for as long as possible, thus demonstrating the difficulty of conquering the mountainous Maratha Empire. It was equally imperative for the Mughals to conquer Purandar as swiftly as possible to demonstrate the futility of resistance of the dominant Mughal empire.
In the end, superior European cannons fielded by the Mughals, under the leadership of the European mercenary Mannucci, blasted away the walls of Purandar. In spite of crumbling defenses, Murarbaji and his troops sustained a dogged defense. When the Mughals breached the outer walls, Murarbaji and his soldiers, though overwhelmingly outnumbered, mounted a fierce counterattack. Maratha folk history mentions that Murarbaji showed incredible skills as a swordsman and was an aggressive and inspiring leader who pushed back and caused a retreat of a larger Mughal force.
Diler Khan, impressed with the bravery of Murarbaji, offered him a truce and employment in the Mughal forces with a handsome salary. Murarbaji turned down the offer due to his loyalty to the ideals of Hindavi Swarajya.
The battle of Purandar, made the Marathas realize the difficulty, facing the overwhelming force led by Mirza Raja Jai Singh, but also revealed to the Mughals the tenacity of the Marathas. Thereafter Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sued for peace to Mirza Raja rather than risk the decimation of his forces and the ruin of his homeland. Aurangzeb sought to sign the treaty of Purandar and invited Shivaji to Agra rather than face a protracted and expensive campaign to conquer Marathas. As a part of the settlement Chatrapati Shivaji agreed to give up 23 of his forts and 4,00,000 hons to the Mughals.
In popular culture
[edit]- In 2023, Veer Murarbaji was an Indian Marathi language historical drama film based on Deshpande's life, produced by Almond Creations and AA Films.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Murarbaji Deshpande". Brad Beaman. 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2019-06-22.
- ^ Kantak, M. R. (1978). "The Political Role of Different Hindu Castes and Communities in Maharashtra in the Foundation of the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Swarajya". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 38 (1): 46. JSTOR 42931051.
Among Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's [chandraseniya] kayastha prabhu officers, the names of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Murarbaji Deshpande, Babaji Prabhu and Yeshwantrao Buvaji Prabhu have become famous in Maratha history. Baji Prabhu fell fighting against the forces of the Bijapur government near Vishalgad in 1660. Murarbaji died a hero's death while defending the fort of Purandar against the Mughal forces of Jaisingh in 1665
- ^ History of Aurangzib: Based on Original Sources, Volume 4 By Sir Jadunath Sarkar
- ^ Marathi, TV9 (2022-06-08). "Veer Murarbaji: Success story of Randhurandhar Narveer Murarbaji Deshpande on silver screen". TV9 Marathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 2023-01-24.
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