: मेलगिरी पण्डित, Kannada: ಮೇಲ್ಗಿರಿ ಪಂಡಿತ್) was a Sardar

Sardar

Sardar is a title of Indo-Aryan origin that was originally used to denote feudal princes, noblemen, and other aristocrats. It was later applied to indicate a Head of State, a Commander-in-chief, and an Army military rank...

that served under Emporer (Chhatrapati

Chhatrapati

Chhatrapati is the Indian honorific title equivalent to the European Emperor. It is more formally written as Kshetrapati, from the Sanskrit kshetra- and -pati...

) Sambhaji

Sambhaji

Sambhaji Raje Bhosle was the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire.- Early life :...

 of the Maratha Empire

Maratha Empire

The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....

. Sambhaji, the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, reigned from his father's death in 1681 to his execution at the hands of Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb

Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...

 in 1689.

A Brahmin

Brahmin

Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...

 Pandit hailing from the village of Melgiri near the Maharashtra

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...

-Karnataka

Karnataka

Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...

 border (in modern-day Solapur district

Solapur District

- Solapur District is a district in Maharashtra state of India. The city of Solapur is the district headquarters. It is located on the south east edge of the state and lies entirely in the Bhima and Seena basins. The entire district is drained by the Bhima River.Solapur district leads in beedi...

), Sardar Pandit is remembered for his military leadership during the War of 27 years

War of 27 years

The Maratha War of Independence The Maratha War of Independence The Maratha War of Independence (also termed the War of 27 yegfuyfyuffygement in the history of India. The Maratha Empire eventually emerged victorious.-Background:...

, the longest recorded military engagement in the history of India

History of India

The history of India begins with evidence of human activity of Homo sapiens as long as 75,000 years ago, or with earlier hominids including Homo erectus from about 500,000 years ago. The Indus Valley Civilization, which spread and flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent from...

.

Most notably, Pandit successfully led the Maratha ground forces at Bijapur

Bijapur, Karnataka

Bijapur Urdu:بیجاپور city is the district headquarters of Bijapur District of Karnataka state. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty...

 in 1685, pushing the Mughal

Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire ,‎ or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...

 forces under Emperor Aurangzeb back to their base camp at Ahmednagar. The following year (1686), Bijapur fell to Aurangzeb due to the surrender of Maratha

Maratha

The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...

 ally Sultan

Sultan

Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

 Sikandar Adil Shah

Sikandar Adil Shah

Sikandar Adil Shah was placed on the throne of Bijapur in 1672 at four years of age. Therefore, his reign is one of regents and ministers and was marked by chronic civil war among factious nobles, independence of provincial governors, paralysis of the central administration, Mughal invasions,...

. However, these initial territorial losses were recovered and the War of 27 years

War of 27 years

The Maratha War of Independence The Maratha War of Independence The Maratha War of Independence (also termed the War of 27 yegfuyfyuffygement in the history of India. The Maratha Empire eventually emerged victorious.-Background:...

 was eventually won by the Maratha Empire in 1707.

The descendants of Melgiri Pandit reside across North Karnataka

North Karnataka

North Karnataka is an arid plateau from elevation in the Karnataka state of southwest India. It is drained by the Krishna River and its tributaries the Bhima, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Tungabhadra...

, most concentrated in Dharwad District

Dharwad District

Dharwad District is an administrative district of the state of Karnataka in southern India. Dharwad is the cultural headquarters of North Karnataka....

, Gadag District

Gadag District

Gadag District had a population of 971,952 of which 35.21% was urban as of 2001. Population increased 13.14% in the decade 1991-2001. The District is bounded on the north by Bagalkot District, on the east by Koppal District, on the southeast by Bellary District, on the southwest by Haveri...

 and Haveri District

Haveri District

Haveri is a district in the state of Karnataka, India with the potential to become a tourist hub. As of 2001, it had a population of 1,439,116 of which 20.78% were urban residents.-Tourism:Examples of tourist attractions in the district:...

.

Background

Following the death of Shivaji in 1680, the Mughal Empire

Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire ,‎ or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...

 took the opportunity to launch a ground invasion of the Maratha Empire. This event marks the beginning of the War of 27 years.

In early 1681, Aurangzeb's eldest son, Prince Muhammad Mu'azzam (later crowned Bahadur Shah I

Bahadur Shah I

Bahadur Shah was a Mughal Emperor, who ruled India from 1707 to 1712. His original name was Qutb ud-Din Muhammad Mu'azzam later titled as Shah Alam by his father. He took the throne name Bahadur Shah in 1707. His name Bahādur means "brave" & "hero" in Turko-Mongol languages...

), marched from the Mughal base at Ahmednagar with a 20,000-horse cavalry to lay siege to Bijapur. At that time, Bijapur was under the administration of Sikandar Adil Shah who had entrusted the task of defense to General Sarza Khan. Prince Mu'azzam wrote to General Khan to enlist his support against Sambhaji. The appeal for help went unheeded; Aurangzeb received clear proof of the alliance between Bijapur and the Maratha Empire.

In order to increase pressure on Sambhaji, a diversion against Bijapur was devised in January 1682. A detachment under
Mughal General Ruhulla Khan was sent to attack the northern frontier of Bijapur and to check Maratha activities in the Parenda and Solapur

Solapur

Solapur is a city in South Western Maharashtra, India governed by municipal corporation.Solapur is one of the four districts that form the region of Western Maharashtra . It is the fourth largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area and seventh largest in terms of population...

 regions. Another force was sent under Aurungzeb's second son, Prince Muhammad Azam Shah, to capture the fort of Dharvar (now Dharwad

Dharwad

Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...

). After these initial successes, the Mughal campaign languished for many months when the prince was recalled in June 1683.

In 1684, the Mughals changed their Bijapur strategy. They established a number of outposts in the Bijapur territory in order to occupy the surrounding lands. However, the multiple fronts of the war made any serious action against Bijapur impossible due to resource constraints. On March 30, 1684, Sikandar Adil Shah received a letter from Aurangzeb demanding free passage for the Mughal army through the Bijapur territory and the expulsion of General Khan. In response, Sikandar Adil Shah sent a spirited reply refusing to accede to Mughal demands.

Though war was not officially declared, the increasing tension made military engagement imminent. Sikandar Adil Shah sent a letter to Golkonda

Golkonda

Golkonda or Golla konda a ruined city of south-central India and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda , is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad.The most important builder of Golkonda was a Hindu Kakatiya King...

 beseeching aid from the Qutb Shahi dynasty

Qutb Shahi dynasty

The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a Turko-Persian dynasty ; its members were collectively called the Qutub Shahis. They were the ruling family of the kingdom of Golkonda in modern-day Andra Pradesh, India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to Kara Koyunlu...

 and its allies.

The Siege of Bijapur

In early 1685, a promise of support arrived; the Maratha contingent dispatched by Sambhaji under General Melgiri Pandit arrived in Bijapur. On March 28, 1685, the Mughal army arrived within sight of Bijapur. On April 1, 1685, the siege of Bijapur began.

Mughal Generals Ruhulla Khan and Qasim Khan took strong positions on the northwestern side of the territory. As seen in the above map, the western edge of the territory was bordered by the ocean; the two other borders were blocked by heavily wooded mountain ranges (the Eastern Ghats

Eastern Ghats

The Eastern Ghats or Eastern Ghauts are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. The Eastern Ghats run from West Bengal state in the north, through Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka. They are eroded and cut through by the...

 and Satpura Range

Satpura Range

The Satpura Range is a range of hills in central India. The range rises in eastern Gujarat state near the Arabian Sea coast, running east through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to Chhattisgarh. The range parallels the Vindhya Range to the north, and these two east-west ranges divide the...

). The Marathas under Pandit flanked the open side and cut off the Mughal's supply lines. With their supplies cut, the Mughal forces had no other rations but indigenous coconuts and a poorly edible local grain called kudun. Great numbers of Mughal men and horses perished from famine.

When the wretched state of the Mughal army became known to Aurangzeb, he sent an order to the officers stationed at the port of Surat

Surat

Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...

 (in modern day Gujarat), directing them to ship as much grain as possible to the prince's detachment by sea. The Marathas intercepted this communication, and as the ships passed by their newly-erected fortresses, they raided most of them. The Mughal army retreated and fell back fighting all the way to Ahmednagar, where Aurangzeb was seated.

After this initial retreat, Aurangzeb shifted to Solapur on May 24, 1685 in order to be closer to the operating theatre. Prince Azam was given supreme command. The second Mughal advance on Bijapur was slower and more laborious. A garrison of 30,000 defended Bijapur Fort

Bijapur Fort

The Bijapur Fort is located in the Bijapur city in Bijapur District of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bijapur fort has a plethora of historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty....

, while an equally strong army was dispatched to sever Mughal communications and raid Mughal territory.

For one year, the siege languidly continued. Allies began to flock to Sikandar Adil Shah. Multiple contingents arrived from Sambhaji, Siddi Masud Khan, and the Qutb Shahi dynasty

Qutb Shahi dynasty

The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a Turko-Persian dynasty ; its members were collectively called the Qutub Shahis. They were the ruling family of the kingdom of Golkonda in modern-day Andra Pradesh, India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to Kara Koyunlu...

 of Golkonda. This open alliance signaled a rupture between the Mughal Empire and the Qutb Shahi dynasty

Qutb Shahi dynasty

The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a Turko-Persian dynasty ; its members were collectively called the Qutub Shahis. They were the ruling family of the kingdom of Golkonda in modern-day Andra Pradesh, India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to Kara Koyunlu...

. The Bijapur garrison also stiffened its attacks on the besiegers and inflicted heavy casualties. The Mughal position was further weakened by famine in the Mughal camp.

The Fall of Bijapur

Aurangzeb, in order to save his son Prince Muhammad Azam Shah from this sorry state of affairs, ordered a retreat. But the prince, whose spirit had been roused, refused to reduce himself to the level of his brother Prince Shah Alam who had returned from the Konkan

Konkan

The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...

 campaign in shame. Prince Azam decided to carry on with the siege of Bijapur.

When Aurangzeb got news of the resolution of his son, he took steps to send relief and reinforcement. In spite of heavy attacks, reinforcements reached the Mughal camp under Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung I

Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung I

Mir Shahâb ud-Din Siddiqi titled Farzand-i-Arjumand, Nawab Ghazi ud-din Khan Siddiqi Bahadur, Feroze Jung, Sipah Salar was the son of Kilich Khan II Khwaja Abid Siddiqi the Sadr us Sudur of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and was raised to the rank of an Amir with the initial titles of Ghazi ud-Din...

. Mughal communications between Bijapur and Solapur were also restored. In October 1685, in retaliation for Golkonda's alliance with the Marathas, Prince Muazzam Shah Alam sacked the fort of Hyderabad (under Golkonda administration) and executed Madanna and Akkanna

Madanna and Akkanna

Madanna and Akkanna were two brothers who rose to prominence in the sultanate of Golkonda between 1674 and 1685. Towards the end of their lives in October 1685 they came to dominate state affairs in Golkonda...

, the two senior Telugu Brahmin advisors to the Qutb Shahi dynasty

Qutb Shahi dynasty

The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a Turko-Persian dynasty ; its members were collectively called the Qutub Shahis. They were the ruling family of the kingdom of Golkonda in modern-day Andra Pradesh, India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to Kara Koyunlu...

 of Golkonda.

With this upper hand, Aurangzeb then decided to take command of the siege operations himself. Leaving Solapur on June 14, 1686, he reached a suburb west of Bijapur Fort

Bijapur Fort

The Bijapur Fort is located in the Bijapur city in Bijapur District of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bijapur fort has a plethora of historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty....

 on July 3, 1686. The plight of the Mughal garrison was miserable. Scarcity raged resulting in the loss of men and cattle. On September 4, 1686, Aurangzeb rode in on horseback and inspired his men to attack the Bijapur Fort

Bijapur Fort

The Bijapur Fort is located in the Bijapur city in Bijapur District of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bijapur fort has a plethora of historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty....

. But the initial attack failed due to the brisk return fire of the Bijapuris.

After eight days of intense fighting, Bijapur finally fell to the Mughals. This was not due to the success of the Mughal assault or the failure of the Maratha defenses. Sikandar Adil Shah and his officers decided to capitulate and opted to surrender Bijapur to avoid further bloodshed.