Shivaji's Female Bodyguards: The Warriors Behind the Throne

Shivaji's Escape from Panhala The Battle of Pavan Khind

In July 1660, Shivaji Maharaj was trapped inside the fort of Panhala by a massive Adil Shahi army led by Siddi Jauhar. What followed was one of the most daring escapes in military history: a decoy, a doppelganger, and a desperate rearguard action at a mountain pass called Pavan Khind. This episode reconstructs the siege of Panhala, the sacrifice of Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Shiva Kashid, and how Shivaji's Ganimi Kava tactics turned a near-certain defeat into a legend. We explore the geography of the Sahyadris, the role of local Mavala warriors, and the political stakes of losing Swarajya's second capital. Along the way, we discuss the Bakhars that record these events, the ongoing debate over Shivaji's escape route, and how the memory of Pavan Khind continues to inspire Maratha identity. This is the story of a king who refused to be trapped, and the men who bought him freedom with their lives. #ShivajiMaharaj #Panhala #PavanKhind #BajiPrabhuDeshpande #ShivaKashid #SiddiJauhar #GanimiKava #Sahyadri #Mavala #Swarajya #MarathaHistory #FortSiege #IndianHistory #17thCentury #Deccan #HindaviSwarajya #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Shivaji Maharaj's War Elephants: The Armored Giants of Swarajya

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore an often-overlooked aspect of Shivaji's military: his use of war elephants. They discuss how Shivaji acquired elephants through trade and conquest, the specialized training of mahouts, the role of elephants in Maratha logistics and siege warfare, and the famous elephant named 'Gajraj' that led Shivaji's charges. The episode also touches on the decline of elephant warfare in the Deccan and the legacy of these magnificent animals in Maratha memory. #ShivajiMaharaj #MarathaEmpire #WarElephants #Gajraj #Swarajya #Deccan #MilitaryHistory #Mahouts #SiegeWarfare #Chhatrapati #ElephantWarfare #Mavala #Sahyadri #Raigad #HindaviSwarajya #History #FexingoHistory #SouthAsianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Shivaji's Fort of Vishalgad: The Siege That Defined Swarajya

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic siege of Vishalgad in 1660, where Shivaji Maharaj, after his escape from Panhala, faced a desperate chase by Adil Shahi forces under Siddi Jauhar. They discuss the heroic sacrifice of Baji Prabhu Deshpande at Pavankhind, which bought Shivaji crucial time to reach the safety of Vishalgad. The conversation also delves into the strategic importance of Vishalgad, the role of local Mavala warriors, and how this event solidified Shivaji's reputation as a master of guerrilla warfare. Along the way, they touch upon the fort's history under the Bahmani Sultanate and its later significance in Maratha history. A brief interlude acknowledges listener support via buymeacoffee.com/fexingo. #ShivajiMaharaj #Vishalgad #BattleOfPavankhind #BajiPrabhuDeshpande #Maratha #Swarajya #AdilShahi #SiddiJauhar #GuerrillaWarfare #GanimiKava #Panhala #Mavala #Chhatrapati #HindaviSwarajya #Deccan #IndianHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Shivaji Maharaj's Fort of Lohagad and the Treasury of Swarajya

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the strategic and symbolic importance of Lohagad, one of the Maratha Empire's most formidable forts. They discuss how Shivaji Maharaj captured Lohagad in 1648, its role in safeguarding the treasure of Swarajya, and the ingenious water management systems that sustained its garrison. The conversation delves into the fort's architecture, its connection to the nearby Karla Caves, and the legend of the hidden treasure of the Mavalas. Lucas also sheds light on the economic policies that financed Shivaji's campaigns, including the collection of chauth and sardeshmukhi. The episode highlights the fort's later use as a treasury by the Peshwas and its significance in Maratha history. Specific names and terms include Lohagad, Shivaji Maharaj, Mavala, Chauth, Sardeshmukhi, Peshwa, Karla Caves, and the Maratha treasury system. #Lohagad #ShivajiMaharaj #MarathaEmpire #FortArchitecture #Swarajya #Mavala #Chauth #Sardeshmukhi #Peshwa #KarlaCaves #Treasure #WaterManagement #Deccan #Sahyadri #IndianHistory #History #FexingoHistory #SouthAsia Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Shivaji's Battle of Umberkhind: The Ambush That Saved Swarajya

In 1661, a year before his first major Mughal confrontation, Shivaji Maharaj faced an existential threat from the Adil Shahi sultanate. The 20,000-strong army of Siddi Jauhar had pinned him down in the fortress of Panhala, and his escape seemed impossible. What followed was one of the most audacious military maneuvers in Indian history—a night-time flight, a decoy king, and an ambush at a narrow mountain pass called Umberkhind. This episode unpacks the battle step by step: how Shivaji slipped out of Panhala, how his loyal bodyguard Shiva Kashid gave his life playing the decoy, and how the Maratha guerrilla trap at Umberkhind destroyed the pursuing Adil Shahi force. We also explore the earlier betrayal of Baji Prabhu Deshpande at Pavankhind, and the remarkable loyalty of the Mavala warriors who held the pass. Along the way, we touch on the fort of Vishalgad, the role of local guides, and the strategic brilliance that turned a desperate retreat into a legendary victory. #ShivajiMaharaj #BattleOfUmberkhind #Panhala #SiddiJauhar #ShivaKashid #BajiPrabhuDeshpande #Pavankhind #Vishalgad #Mavala #GanimiKava #AdilShahi #MarathaEmpire #HindaviSwarajya #Deccan #IndianHistory #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]