Chatrapati Shivaji sculpture at Yadwad

Feb 12th 2024. The wait to meet the great traveler Pramod Potdar ended with his arrival at Dharwad. We met close to Pushpa's workplace, came home, rested for a while and planned to visit Yadwad village to see the sculpture of Chatrapati Shivaji situated inside a Hanuman temple. I was ignorant of this sculpture until Pramod mentioned it.

Yadwad is about 16 km north of Dharwad, off Dharwad-Uppinabetageri road. Hanuman Mandir is a stone's throw away from Yadwad bus-stand, one cannot really miss it. The structure is new but the deity is ancient. On inquiring, village folks pointed us to a spot next to the steps where Chatrapati's sculpture is kept.

The simple shrine housing the ancient and important artifact from the early 18th Century CE. This sculpture is special because it was made during Chatrapati's lifetime. The story goes like this: During the Maratha campaign, Belawadi a small kingdom in the present day Belagavi district was attacked. Belawadi king Ishaprabhu Desai died during a battle with Maratha army. Then Ishaprabhu Desai's wife Mallamma, daughter of Raja Madhulinga Nayaka of Sodhe kingdom, continued the war. However Mallamma had to concede defeat to the powerful Maratha army. Chatrapati Shivaji after meeting Mallamma, restored the kingdom to Desai family. Rani Mallamma, out of respect for Shivaji's kind gesture, got this sculpture made.

That's my friend Pramod bowing out of respect to his idol.

The three feet tall sculpture made of granite depicts Chatrapati astride a horse, wielding a sword and accompanied by his guards. The lower panel depicts Chatrapati and Mallamma engaged in conversation in the presence of two other people, probably their aides.

One thought is how or why this sculpture is at Yadwad instead of Belawadi. I'm assuming Rani Mallamma got the sculpture made at Belawadi since it was her kingdom's capital. So how did the sculpture reach a place 23 km away? Well, that's something to research about. While I was happy to be seeing this important artifact I was also concerned about the way it was placed. This sculpture deserves a better location and a small writeup for people's benefit. One point I would like to mention here is: Belwadi Rani Mallamma was Kittur Rani Chennamma's senior by at least seven decades. I do not remember seeing any ancient memorial of Rani Mallamma. Present day Belwadi is known for Sri Veerabhadreshwara Devastana.

Next to Chatrapati's sculpture, is this broken memorial-stone depicting a very handsome warrior engaged in a fierce battle.

Another artifact, a blank inscription stone is placed next to a building in a negligent manner. I wish villagers remove it from here, and place it next to the temple.

Having thanked the village people, Pramod and I left Yadwad. Since we were in the vicinity of Amminabavi, I felt Pramod might be interested in seeing the rock-cut underground temple and the massive open-well there.

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