Nesari

Last updated

Nesari
village
Coordinates: 16°04′00″N74°19′58″E / 16.066743°N 74.332702°E / 16.066743; 74.332702
IndiaFlag of India.svg India
State Kolhapur
Government
  Type gram panchayat
Area
  Total10.69 km2 (4.13 sq mi)
Elevation
1,599 m (5,246 ft)
Population
 (2021)
  Total9,000
Languages
  Official Marathi
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
416504
Telephone code02327
Vehicle registration MH 09

Nesari is a village in Gadhinglaj Taluka of Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, India. As of 2011, it had a population of 21,000. It is about 20 kilometres from Gadhinglaj, and 30 kilometres from National Highway 48 (NH48).

Contents

Geography

Nesari is located near the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The coordinates are 16°04′00″N74°19′58″E / 16.066743°N 74.332702°E / 16.066743; 74.332702 . It has an average elevation of 625 meters, and average temperatures of 19 °C in winter and 26 °C in summer. [ citation needed ]

Demographics

According to the 2011 India census, Nesari has a population of 19,000 [1] which includes Nesari town as well as extended areas included in the town. Nesari has an average literacy rate of 85% as compared to the national average of 74.9%. The male literacy stands at 84%, and female literacy is 72%. In Nesari, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The language most widely spoken is Marathi with 19,000 people speaking Marathi as their Primary Language.

Historic importance

Prataprao Gujar, Kudtoji Gujar, was the third royal Senapati of King Shivaji's army, which was probably the most successful guerrilla force in 17th century India. He was given the title of Prataprao (the brave) by King Shivaji in acknowledgement of his bravery in the war against Mirza Jaisingh.

He was a highly gifted aristocratic general, who enjoyed the trust of his king and the loyalty of his troops. He defeated a large mughal army at the famous battle of Salher. Salher is a major battle between mughals and marathas, and the first large-scale pitched battle between the two in open field. The victory of the Marathas at Salher is seen as a definitive turning point in their military prowess vis-a-vis the Mughals. Prataprao Gujar's major drawback was his impulsive emotional nature.

A few months before King Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gujar was sent to deal with the invading force led by the Adilshahi general, Bahalol Khan. The Maratha army surrounded the camp of Bahalol Khan at the place of Nesari. Prataprao's forces defeated and captured the opposing general in the battle. In spite of specific warnings against doing so by King Shivaji, Prataprao released Bahalol Khan along troops and the seized war material, when Bahalol Khan promised not to invade King Shivaji's territories again. Days after his release Bahalol Khan started preparing for a fresh invasion.

When King Shivaji heard of about Prataprao decision, he was incensed and wrote an angry letter to Prataprao refusing him permission to see him until such time, until Bahlol Khan was re-captured. Prataprao realised his mistake and was so upset about what he had done that he now wanted to capture Bahlol Khan at any cost.

One day, he learnt of Bahlol Khan camping nearby. Prataprao decided to make a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari. Prataprao Gujar with 1200 troops versus Khan with 15000. So, Prataprao reasoned that there was no point in taking 1200 men to suicide with him. So, in a fit of anger and overreacting to the letter, he left alone, without asking his cavalry to charge. It was his personal honour at stake, not his army. On seeing their leader head to certain death, 6 other Maratha sardars joined him in the charge, they attacked the enemy camp and were slaughtered. Anandrao and Hansaji Mohite, though, stayed back.[ citation needed ] It was an impulsive decision and the loss of Prataprao Gujar was a big loss to the Marathas. Anandrao Mohite managed to take the army to safer areas.

The story of this brave surgical strike and the ensuing battle has been retold through a thrilling Marathi drama "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat" written by Bashir Momin Kavathekar and melodious song "Vedaat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat" written by Kusumagraj & sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

King Shivaji was deeply grieved on hearing of Pratprao's death. Later, Chhatrapati Shivaji's army avenged the death of their general, by defeating Bahlol Khan and looting his jagir (fiefdom) under the leadership of Anandrao and Hambirao Mohite. Hambirrao Mohite became the new Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces). King Shivaji also married his second son, Rajaram, to the daughter of Prataprao Gujar; who was later to be the Empress of the Maratha Empire, Maharani Jankibai.[1]

On 8 October 2014, DAR Motion Pictures, IME Motion Pictures and Blue Drop Films jointly announced a big budget Marathi feature film based on the famous battle. The film titled 'Saat' was slated for a 2016 release. Recently Mahesh Manjrekar also announced a hindi movie "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat" which is said to be an adoption of Momin Kavathekar's Marathi drama.

Religions in Nesari
ReligionPercent
Hindus
99.6%
Muslims
0.2%
Buddhists
0.1%
Others†
0.1%
Distribution of religions
Includes Sikhs (0.1%), Buddhists (<0.1%).

Colleges

1. Chatrapati Shivaji Jr, College. Nesari. 2.Arts and Commerce College, Nesari 3. S.S.Highschool, Nesari 4. S.P.G. High school, Nesari 5. V.K.Chavhan High school, Nesari 6. Progressive English Medium School, Nesari 7.S.S. English Medium, School Nesari 8. ST.Xavier's English medium high school Nesari 9. कुमार विद्यामंदीर नेसरी 10.कन्या विद्यामंदीर नेसरी 11. Roshanbi Shamanji College of Agriculture, Nesari

Civic administration

The civic administration of the village is managed by the Nesari gram panchayat. Th

Economy

The major areas of commerce of Nesari are trading, sugar production, and red chili. Nearby marketing hubs include Goa and Sindhudurg district.

Transportation

Nesari is connected to the various towns of Maharashtra via several state highways and is about 15 km from National Highway 4(NH 4). The nearest airport at Belgaum is 39 km away.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shivaji</span> First Chhatrapati of the Marathas (r. 1674–80)

Shivaji I was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle dynasty. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Confederacy. In 1674, he was formally crowned the Chhatrapati of his realm at Raigad Fort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sambhaji</span> Second Chhatrapati of the Marathas

Sambhaji, also known as Shambhuraje, was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Kingdom. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, as well as other neighbouring powers such as the Abyssinians of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore and the Portuguese Empire in Goa. After Sambhaji's execution by Aurangzeb, his brother Rajaram I succeeded him as the next Chhatrapati and continued the Mughal–Maratha Wars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prataprao Gujar</span> Commander-in-chief under Shivaji Maharaj

Prataprao Gujar also known as Kudtoji Gujar was a Maratha general and held the position of the 3rd Senapati of the Maratha Empire during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Prataprao Gujar led Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army until 1674.

Netoji Palkar (1620–1681), also known as Netaji Palkar, served as a prominent Maratha general and held the esteemed position of the 2nd Senapati of the Maratha Army under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the visionary founder of the Maratha empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajaram I</span> Third Chhatrapati of the Marathas

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salher</span> Fort in India

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Senapati is a title in ancient India denoting the rank of General.

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Janki Bhosale was queen consort of the Maratha Empire as the first wife of Rajaram I. She was the daughter of Prataprao Gujar, the 3rd Senapati of the Maratha Empire.

Kavathe is a village located in Shirur Taluka of the Pune district of Maharashtra state. The village adds the name of local hindu goddess 'Yemai' for distinguishing from other villages in Maharashtra with similar name. Kavathe is known for it historical link with Maratha Empire and because of various folk art & artiste associated with Tamasha, drama, Jagaran-Gondhal and Bharud. Poet Bashir Momin Kavathekar and Dholak performer Shri Gangaram Bua are the two prominent folk artiste who had brought laurels with their notable contribution to the Maharashtra's performing art, culture and traditional art form Tamasha. Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar's grandfather Shri Narayan Khude who formed his own Tamasha Troupe was also from Kavathe Yamai.

The Battle of Salher was fought between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire in February 1672 CE. The battle was fought near the fort of Salher in modern-day Nashik district. The result was a decisive victory for the Marathas. This battle is considered particularly significant as it is the first pitched battle where the Mughal Empire lost to the Marathas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bashir Momin Kavathekar</span> Indian poet and playwright (1947–2021)

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<i>Raja Shivchhatrapati</i> Marathi television program

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<i>Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat</i> Indian film

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References

  1. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.