Draft:Parshuram Bhou

Nightmare of South A Curse to Human Nature Parshuram Bhou Bhau
Monarch	Rajaram II of Satara
Preceded by	Ramchandra Patwardhan
Personal details
Born	Parshuram Maratha Confederacy (modern day Maharashtra, India)
Died	1799 Pattankudi Maratha Confederacy
Parent	Ramachandra Patwardhan (father)
Residence(s)	Tasgaon Maratha Confederacy
Military service
Battles/wars	Maratha–Mysore wars Battle of Shimoga Capture of Hooly Honore Siege of Darwar Third Anglo-Mysore War Siege of Seringapatam (1792) Battle of Rattihalli Northern Campaign Battle of Lakheri War with British First Anglo-Maratha War Battle of Borghat Maratha-Nizam war (1762) Battle of Rakshasbhuvan Battle of Uruli Battle of Kharda Chhatrapati-Peshwa War Battle of Satara (1798)

Parshuram Bhou also known as Parshuram Bhou Patwardhan or Parshuram Patwardhan was a noble Maratha General of his time. It is said that in his lifespan of 60 years he fought more than 100 Battles. He was a kind Man and laid Many successful operations in the South. He is described as Nightmare of South and A Curse to Human Nature by Duke

Early Life

Parshurambhau Patwardhan, the son of Ramchandra Patwardhan, was a distinguished nobleman. Orphaned at the age of 13, he was raised by his mother and his uncle, Govindrao. At 17, he first fought on the battlefield at Shrirangapattam, and he continued to serve in every major battle until he was 60.

During his illustrious career, Parshuram Bhau played a crucial role in numerous conflicts:

1. He fought against the Nizam of Sindhakhed. 2. He battled Haider at Rattehalli. 3. In the First Maratha-British War, he pursued General Guard, forcing him to retreat from Borghat to Panvel (near Mumbai). 4. He successfully lifted the siege laid by Tipu Sultan at Nargund. 5. He captured the fort of Dharwad, playing a key role in raising the Maratha flag there. 6. The most significant challenge of his career came in the Battle of Kharde against the Nizam in 1795, where his contributions were pivotal to the victory.

After the Battle of Panipat in January 1761, the Maratha power seemed to diminish. The Nizam of Sindhkhed further strained relations by defaulting on a ransom of 25 lakhs. Parshuram Bhau responded by capturing the fort of Daulatabad from the Nizam.

Following Nana Saheb Peshwa's death, Madhavrao became Peshwa. Because Madhavrao I was still a minor, his uncle, Raghoba Dada, assumed control of the empire, a situation that was widely disliked. Madhavrao, being a capable commander and administrator, soon took charge, which led to a rift between him and Raghoba Dada. Frustrated by Raghoba Dada's rule and seeing no alternative, Parshuram Bhau supported Madhavrao. In retaliation, Raghoba Dada confiscated Parshuram Bhau's properties, forcing him to seek refuge with the Nizam.

Parshuram Bhau played a crucial role in various battles and aligned himself with Nana Fadnavis during the renowned Barbhai episode. He was entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of Gangabai, the widow of the slain Narayanrao Peshwa, who was pregnant at the time. During this tense period, Sawai Madhavrao was born and later anointed as the next Peshwa.

Throughout this period, other Patwardhan brothers also contributed significantly to various battles. Following the deaths of Gopalrao, Vamanrao, and Pandurang in battle around 1777, Parshuram Bhau became the head of the Patwardhan dynasty.

Tasgaon, located near Sangli and Miraj in Maharashtra, became Parshuram Bhau's base. He managed the jagir of Tasgaon with a contingent of 122 troops and armaments. Although he held only a one-third stake in the Miraj sansthan, the Tasgaon Rajwada and surrounding territories became his personal domain, known as Kashe Tasgaon.

Tasgaon had little prominence before Bhau’s time, but it gained significance under his stewardship. A devoted follower of Lord Ganesh, Parshuram Bhau constructed a temple in Tasgaon. The temple remains a major attraction, drawing large crowds during the annual Ganesh Utsav.

Millitary Career

Frustrated with Raghoba Dada's machinations and unable to find a solution, Parshuram Bhau aligned himself with Madhavrao I. In retaliation, Raghoba confiscated all his properties, forcing Parshuram Bhau to seek refuge with the Nizam.

In 1763, a major battle took place at Rakshasbhuvan between Madhavrao's Marathas and the Nizam. The Peshwa emerged victorious, defeating the Nizam and freeing Parshuram Bhau along with other Sardars who had submitted to the Nizam.

He also played an important role in defeating the First Anglo-Maratha War at Borghat.

Later when Marathas formed an Alliance with the British against Tipu Sultan Parshuram Bhou was despatched by Peshwa.He defeated the troops of Tipu at Shimoga and captured Reza Sahib, Captured Hooly Honer,successful besiged Darwar. Later alongwith Nizam and British Bhou laid Siege to Seringapatam where the Alliance defeated Tipu Sultan.

In 1793 he supported the Holkar cause at Battle of Lakheri but was beaten by Mahadaji Shinde.

During the Chhatrapati-Peshwa War He supported Bajirao II and even defeated Chatursingh and made him retreat to Kolhapur.

Death

During the disturbances in Satara, Chhatrapati Shivaji III was also embroiled in his own conflicts, chiefly against his longtime rival, the Patwardhans. He launched a raid on Parashuram Bhau's capital, Tasgaon, where he burned the palace and seized Chikodi and Manoli, capturing the fort of Bhudhargarh. In October 1798, Kolhapur's forces, led by Ratnakar Pant Rajagna, suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of Dhondo Pant Gokhale, the Peshwa's general. An attempt at mediation between the Patwardhans and the Raja of Kolhapur in November failed. Early in 1799, Parashuram Bhau gathered his army to challenge Chhatrapati Shivaji III's advances. On September 17, 1799, a battle at Pattankudi between Parashuram Bhau and the combined forces of the Chhatrapati of Kolhapur and Chatursingh resulted in Parashuram Bhau's defeat.He was Captured by the allied troops and was brutally executed.