On the history trail: The Siddis of Janjira desecrate the holy shrine of Parashuram at Chiplun

The Siddis of Janjira, Muslims of Abyssinian descent had invaded the Deccan and the western coast in the late 16th century – early 17th century forming their own colony of mercenaries formally trained by Malik Ambar in the impregnable Janjira Fort. This independent principality was under the protection of Aurangzeb and had managed to thwart the Maratha attacks since the days of the late Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

 

The Siddis often allied with the Christian invaders namely the Portuguese at Goa and the British at Bombay to launch calculated assaults on the Marathas particularly the region that belonged to the Angre of Kolaba, the Sarkhel of the Marathas. It was therefore, the need of the hour to render the Siddis either powerless or innocuous.

 

Brahmendra Swami, a pious Hindu ascetic was the spiritual Guru of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and the Peshwa. He had taken up residence in a lonely jungle near Chiplun where the late Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath was employed in the early days. The late Peshwa was deeply devoted to Swami and took his advice on important matters.

 

The Swami had built a large temple dedicated to Lord Parashuram atop a hill with the funds generously given by several Maratha chiefs. The Angres and even the Siddi held the Swami in high esteem and contributed money and land and sent gifts for the shrine.

 

The Swami held a grand event on 8 February 1727 which happened to be the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri. The Siddi governor of the fortified posts of Gowalkot and Anjanvel was one Siddi Sat who was extremely animus towards the Swami and left no opportunity to mock him and taunt his beliefs.

 

Siddi Sat made a sudden cowardly attack on the Parashuram Temple on that day when he knew that the Swami was busy elsewhere. He desecrated the temple, damaged the idols, destroyed the property, looted the treasury and subjected the priests, cows, women and children to unspeakable atrocities.

 

This premeditated act of violence and wanton destruction to the sacred shrine roused the anger of the entire Maratha State. There was a cry for vengeance from all sides. The chief ruler of Janjira apologized for the actions of his governor and made some attempt to restore whatever was left of the property.

 

The Swami arrived after a few days cursing the Siddis and left the place for good. He took up residence at Dhawadshi near Satara on the request of Shahu Raje. He built new temple structures there and resumed his annual celebrations.

 

The Swami appealed to Shahu Raje and the Maratha commanders to wage a holy war against the Siddi of Janjira. After Peshwa Bajirao returned victorious from his campaign of Dabhoi, both Shahu Raje and the Swami pressed the Peshwa to take immediate action for the crime committed by the Siddi.

 

Written by Lakshmi Subramanian

 

* Information about Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj is taken from archives