Pune: In a significant tribute to one of India's greatest military strategists, Peshwa Bajirao I - the first Maratha General who marched on Delhi with an army and terrified the Mughals - a monument will soon be erected at the site of his historic victory in the Battle of Palkhed against the Nizams in 1728.
The Palkhed Memorial Committee has obtained the necessary permissions to commence construction, with work set to begin soon.
The Palkhed Gram Panchayat has allocated land for the memorial, which will feature a statue reminiscent of the one at Shaniwarwada in Pune. Key committee members include Prashant Gorhe, Jagannath Ladkat, Pushkar Peshwe, Mohan Shete, Ramesh Bhagwat, and Shrikant Nagarkar.
For the past eighteen months, the Palkhed Memorial Committee has been striving to bring this project to fruition. The committee, led by the district collector, had proposed erecting a full-sized statue of Peshwa Bajirao I at Palkhed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. With the requisite approvals now in place, the blueprint for the memorial is ready, and construction will start shortly.
The Battle of Palkhed, fought in 1728, saw Bajirao Peshwa outmaneuver the numerically superior Nizam's forces through brilliant strategy. By cutting off the water supply and surrounding the enemy, Peshwa Bajirao I compelled the Nizam to surrender and accept a treaty, marking a monumental victory in Maratha history.
The Battle of Palkhed is a subject of study in military strategy courses worldwide, with Field Marshal Montgomery highlighting it in his renowned book on the greatest battles.
The establishment of this monument is expected to serve as an educational tool, helping future generations appreciate their illustrious heritage, as noted by members of the Palkhed Memorial Committee.
The battle of Palkhed was fought between Peshwa Bajirao I and the Nizam-ul-Mulk is considered as the most famous battle in history.
