Martyrdom of Murarbaji Deshpande defending Purandar Fort

By late May 1665, the continuous Mughal siege of Purandar Fort had reached a critical stage. Siege engineers under Afghan general Diler Khan had breached the upper ridges of the adjoining twin fort of Vajragad (Rudra Mahal), allowing Mughal heavy siege batteries to focus their fire directly on the lower Machi (plateau) of Purandar. As cannon fire battered the masonry walls, breaches opened along the outer bastions, enabling Mughal troops to attempt storming the lower fortifications.

In response to the impending breakthrough, the Maratha garrison commander, Murarbaji Deshpande, organized a courageous counter-offensive. On June 2, 1665, Murarbaji assembled a group of approximately 700 to 1,000 elite Mavala infantrymen and led a sally out of the upper citadel directly down the mountain slopes. Charging into the densely packed ranks of Diler Khan’s troops, the Maratha warriors engaged in desperate hand-to-hand combat. Murarbaji fought at the spearhead of the attack, slaying scores of enemy soldiers and throwing the advancing Mughal assault columns into temporary disarray despite being heavily outnumbered.

Observing Murarbaji’s extraordinary valor from atop his war elephant, Diler Khan ordered his archers to hold fire. Impressed by the Maratha commander's bravery, Diler Khan called out directly to Murarbaji on the battlefield, offering him a high military rank (mansab), immense wealth, and safety within the imperial service if he surrendered. Murarbaji rejected the proposal, shouting that he fought only for Shivaji Maharaj and Swarajya. Continuing his charge toward Diler Khan, Murarbaji was struck in the neck by an arrow shot by Diler Khan, succumbing to his wound on the field of battle.

Murarbaji’s fall deeply saddened his troops, who fought furiously to retrieve his body before withdrawing into the upper fort to maintain the defense. When news of Murarbaji’s martyrdom reached Shivaji Maharaj, it had a profound impact. Recognizing that continued stubborn defense would mean the complete loss of his bravest officers and garrison soldiers without changing the strategic outcome, Shivaji chose to initiate peace talks with Mirza Raja Jai Singh I. This led directly to the signing of the Treaty of Purandar days later. Murarbaji Deshpande’s sacrifice remains one of the most celebrated acts of military devotion and valor in Indian history.