Saswad

Saswad

The name of the village, Saswad came from a tiny settlement near the river Karha, surrounded by seven large Oak Trees. Initially known as Satwad. (Sat means seven and wad means Oak tree), later on its name changed to Saswad.

Saswad gained importance in the Shivaji and Peshwa eras.

After leaving his home at Shrivardhan in Konkan, Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa, came to Saswad.

The Purandare family were the then 'Kulkarni's' and 'Deshmukhs' of Saswad and Balaji was looked after by them.

After receiving the title of Peshwa, Balaji never forgot the Purandare's and gave them important posts in his Administration.

Saswad lies on the banks of the Karha river and is dotted by beautiful temples viz The Viteshwari Temple , The Shiva Temple and the Karha Devi Temple. The Shiva Temple is a masterpiece of architecture.

Shahu Maharaj had given Balaji as "Inam," Pune, Supa, and Saswad. He was the Subhedar of Saswad around 1702. Shahu Maharaj had allowed  Balaji to settle down in Supa as the letter states (refer to photograph), and lived in Supa for two years after which he made Saswad his home in 1719. He built a Wada there in Black Stone and it was known as "Kala Wada". Unfortunately there are no remnants of his Wada in Saswad today.

The Purandare Wada stands tall with some of its embattlements still in place. The Purandare family resides there even to this day.

Purandare Wada (East side)

Letter of Shahu Maharaj granting Supa to Balaji Vishwanath

On the banks of the Karha river and in between the Shiv and Karha devi temple, is the Samadhi and statue of Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa.

The Samadhi is in good condition and is well looked after by the Dev Deveshwar Sansthan of Pune.

Courtesy: 'Peshwe' by Sriram Sathe

Courtesy: Dr Uday Kulkarni, Solstice at Panipat

Saswad and Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa

 Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa and Saswad

I recently paid a visit to Saswad, located about a one and a half hours drive from Pune.
Even with such a close proximity to Pune and inspite of a few buildings with modern architecture,Saswad retains the looks of a quaint village.

It was the 300th death anniversary of Balaji Vishanath Peshwa. His samadhi lies on the banks of the Karha river.
 His statue was inaugurated on this day the 16th of April 2013.

Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa made Saswad his home and also his eternal resting place.

A more detailed history of Saswad is in the offing soon on this blog.

Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa Statue and Samadhi

Sunset at Saswad

Shiv Temple

Samsher Bahadur..The Nawab of Banda

The Death Anniversary of Baji Rao I, falls on the 28th of April. I thought it befitting to write about his son from Mastani... 

 Samsher Bahadur

The Nawab of Banda

As I was reading about him I couldn't help comparing him to Veer Karna of the Mahabharat. Like Karna he was a great warrior, but there ends the comparison because unlike Karna he was well looked after at the Shaniwarwada, and given all the training that was required.

This then is the story of the great warrior who proved his mettle in the Battle of Panipat.

As is the case with so many in the 17 and 1800's, the character sketch of Samsher is not well recorded. There is a notation in the Peshwa Chronicles, 

 " On the day of Ramzan (28th Jan 1734), a son was born at Shaniwarwada and the naming ceremony was held." Could this have been Samsher? 

His name is assumed to be that of his maternal uncle (Samsher Khan). His second name was Krishna Singh and as per the records he would be known as Samsher Bahdur Krishnasingh.

He was left an orphan after the deaths of both Baji Rao and Mastani consecutively at the tender age of 6 years. From then on Nana Saheb Peshwa brought him into Shaniwarwada and devoted his love, time and attention in bringing him up.

It is said that Samsher had the height, build and looks of Baji Rao and was an able warrior.

The uproar that had taken place during Baji Rao, Mastani's period seemed to have had no detrimental effect on the young lad. Like the other children in the Wada, he too was trained to be an administrator and warrior.

Under the keen tutelage of SadashivRao Bahu Peshwa, he mastered the arts of Commerce and warfare. He was equally proficient in the Marathi language and the Deonagari and Modi scripts, prevalent at that time.

Samsher's first tryst with the enemy was in 1753 when he was sent to the North with Raghunath Rao Peshwa. He had to leave the battle half way as there was trouble brewing in the Konkan and he was needed there.This assignment was against Tulaji Angre and Samsher won the battle convincingly, by capturing the Ratnagiri Fort in 1756.

He was awarded the title of 'Sardar' (General) by Nana Saheb Peshwa.

Samsher proved his prowess in war and was present in all the campaigns which the Marathas led during that period.

So strong was his faith in Samsher, that Nana Saheb apart from sending him to war, also sent him as a Statesman and Diplomat. There are instances recorded of bringing about peace and harmony with the descendants of Chatrasaal in Bundelkhand and also the royal families of Jaitpur.

The title of 'Saheb Naubat ' was conferred upon him for his heroic deeds and intelligent statesmanship.

After an intense battle in Udgir in 1759, followed the battle of Panipat. On 14th Jan. 1761, Samsher was gravely injured and was brought to Bharat pur. Suraj Mal Jat tried his best to save him but Samsher succumbed to his injuries all the while grieving for the loss of Bhau Saheb Peshwa. His last dying cries were 'Bhau Bhau'.

His wife Meher Bai and son Ali Bahdur were brought back to Pune with great respect and lived in Shaniwarwada at the Mastani Mahal.


"It matters not how you came into the world.
 For your action and deeds speak another language."

Thus ends the story of another hero not written or revered.


Courtesy: पेशवे  घराण्याचा  इतिहास  by Pramod Oak