Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi | |
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Pradhan to HRH Emperor Chhatrapati Rajaram of the Maratha Empire, Pratinidhi of the Maratha Empire, Sardar of Vishalgad & Aundh |
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Predecessor | Bahiroji Pingale |
Successor | Balaji Vishwanath |
Born | 1660 Kinhai, Satara (Satara District, Maharashtra) |
Died | 1718 Aundh, Satara (Satara District, Maharashtra) |
Religion | Hindu |
Parshuram Trimbak Kulkarni (1660–1718 CE), popularly known as Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi, was a Minister (Pradhan) and Count (Sardar) of the Maratha Empire. He served as Pratinidhi (Chief Delegate) during Chhatrapati Rajaram and Tarabai’s reign. His contribution to the War of 27 years is considered to be of vital importance. He was also the founder of the princely states of Vishalgad and Aundh in Maharashtra.
Parshuram Pant was born in 1660. His father was a tax assessor (Kulkarni) of a few villages around his native home of Kinhai near Koregaon in Satara district. At the age of 14, Parshuram Pant went to Vishalgad and started working under Ramchandra Pant Amatya as a clerk. Due to his steady progress both in clerical as well as military functions, he was soon promoted as Ramchandra Pant's deputy and was sent to Vasota Fort to look after military administration.
Parshuram Pant exhibited his leadership qualities for the first time during the blockade of Panhala Fort in 1689 which was ultimately captured by Aurangzeb in the same year. Parshuram Pant, however, recaptured the fort in June 1692 with tremendous efforts and bravery. Thereafter, under the able guidance of Ramchandra Pant Amatya, he initiated continuous victorious campaigns against Mughal army and re-captured the large region between Miraj and the fort of Prachitgad (also called Rangna). He also captured Fort Bhudargad and Chandangad from Mughals.