2019-12-28 Sat

Today on 28th of December in 1659, The Battle of Kolhapur took place near the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra between the Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji and the Adilshahi forces. In this battle, the Maratha forces defeat the Adilshahi forces. The battle is known for brilliant movement of flanks by Shivaji similar to the strategy of Babur against Rana Sanga.

After Shivaji's first major victory over the Adilshahis at the Battle of Pratapgarh, and the killing of Afzal Khan, he forayed further into enemy territory; he came to the historic fort of Panhala, located near to Kolhapur.

Rustam Zaman was the Bijapur general, who was sent to face Shivaji. Zaman led a large Adilshahi army of 10,000 that had one of the best cavalry, as well as front line defence of elephants. With a cavalry force of 5,000 Marathas, Shivaji attacked them near Kolhapur on 28 December 1659. This battle lasted for several hours and at the end, Bijapur forces were soundly defeated and Rustam Zaman fled the battlefield. Shivaji gained a large territory and secured in front of his emerging empire. Adilshahi forces lost about 2000 horses and 12 elephants to the Marathas.

The above shown beautiful gold ‘Apranji’ Fanam was minted under the Chhatrapati Shivaji. The obverse of a coin depicts the Nagari legend (Shri) Raja Shiva. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved three dots followed by Nagari legend Chhatra Pati.

Image Source: classicalnumismaticgallery.com