सी ओ इ पी-हिस्टरी क्लब-Historical Love Stories-Bajirao and Mastani-लेख क्रमांक-1

[Atul Kaviraje]

                                 "सी ओ इ पी-हिस्टरी क्लब"
                                -------------------------

मित्र/मैत्रिणींनो,

     आज वाचूया, "सी ओ इ पी-हिस्टरी क्लब" या ब्लॉग मधील एक इंग्रजी लेख. या लेखाचे शीर्षक आहे- "Historical Love Stories-Bajirao and Mastani"

    Historical Love Stories-Bajirao and Mastani--लेख क्रमांक-१--
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     Bajirao- considered being some of the greatest cavalry generals in the history of warfare fell in love with Mastani. There are several speculations and misconceptions about this story despite of being some of the most famous love stories among the History of Maratha Empire.

     The tale begins with Muhammad Khan Bangash a general from Mughal court attacking the kingdom of Chhatrasal. Chhatrasal- after getting inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj had established his kingdom in the Bundelkhand (south east to Delhi). When Bangash attacked his kingdom, Chhatrasal secretly sent a message to Bajirao calling for his aid. In the message, Chhatrasal- a good poet himself writes-
"Jo beeti gaj grah par so gati bhayee hai aaj
Baji jat bundel ki rakho Baji laj"
Means: We the Bundela clan are in the same condition in which the Gajraj was when
his feet was caught by the crocodile. So please help us to protect out honour.

     Responding to his call, Bajirao went to Bundelkhand and defeated Bangash in battle of Jaitpur. when Bangash retreated, Bajirao and Chhatrasal met at Bharatpur and Chhatrasal happy by the deeds of Bajirao, declared him as his third son and awarded one third part of his kingdom to him. During his welcome to the court, traditional dance was organised in which Bajirao and Mastani first saw each other. Mastani was a good dancer and had herself performed on Bajirao's welcome. It is said that the two fell in love with each other at the first sight. Recognizing the growing attraction between the two, Chhatrasal offered Mastani to Bajirao.
When Bajirao came back to Pune, it was a usual scenario with most of Bajirao's family members opposing his decision to keep Mastani in the Saniwar Wada- the palace of peshwas. Eventually, the family of peshwas was divided on the topic of Mastani. Chimaji Appa- Bajirao's younger brother, Radhabai- Bajirao's mother and Nanasaheb- Bajirao's son were on the opposing side of Bajirao-Mastani relationship. The most surprising thing was that Kashibai- wife of Bajirao was pro to Bajirao- Mastani relationship. Due to the increasing family conflicts, Bajirao started to keep away from the family. Mastani even had a separate palace at Shaniwarwada although she was not allowed to enter from the main gate (Delhi Darwaja). For her there was a separate gate called Mastani Darwaja (to the left of Delhi Darwaja). Mastani sometimes was accompanying Bajirao on his expeditions. Sensing the growing attraction between the two, Radhabai- Bajirao's mother asked Bajirao to take Kashibai with him on his expeditions. Bajirao had erected a separate palace for Mastani at Pabal near Pune. Mastani even performed a dance on the eve of Nanasaheb's Marriage.

--सी ओ इ पी-हिस्टरी क्लब
(Sunday, October 10, 2010)
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          (साभार आणि सौजन्य-सी ओ इ पी-हिस्टरी क्लब.ब्लॉगस्पॉट.कॉम)
                               (संदर्भ-मराठी ब्लॉगर्स.नेट)
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-----संकलन
-----श्री.अतुल एस.परब(अतुल कवीराजे)
-----दिनांक-01.09.2022-गुरुवार.