Shaurya Din: 1 st Jan-The Battle of Bhima Koregaon

Shaurya Din: 1 st Jan-The Battle of Bhima Koregaon
It was not a just another battle. It was story of Self Respect, Esteem and fight against the Manusmriti. This Battle is very important in history as everyone knows that after this Battle PESHAVAI ends. 

This Battle was between the Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry and Peshava Soldiers. Bombay Native Infantry was headed by Capt. Francis Statin. It comprised of only 500 soldiers most of them were MAHAR by Caste. After walking down 27 Miles distance from Shirur to Bhima Koregaon in one day, MAHAR soldiers neither get rest nor get proper water/food. Battle started
at the bank of Bhima River. Compared with MAHAR soldiers of Bombay Native Infantry;

Peshava soldiers were huge in number (more than 25000). Battle was fought over more than 12 hrs on 1st Jan 1818. Battle ended not only with the Victory over Peshava but it became responsible for the end of Peshavai in Mahararshtra.

This Battle was commemorated by an obelisk, known as the Koregaon Pillar (Vijay Stambh), which featured on the MAHAR Regiment crest until Indian Independence. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar used to visit Bhima Koregaon(Shaurya Bhumi) every year on 1st January to pay homage to great MAHAR soldiers of The Bhima Koregaon Battle. 

Few of you may think in wrong way why to celebrate or remember the victory of British. But there is reason for everything! Every one knows that during the time period of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj there was equal treatment for MAHAR soldiers as Chhatrapti was knowing the importance of MAHAR soldiers as they were great at battle field. But over the time; treatment changes in PESHAVAI. They were most of the time insulted and given dreadful treatment by the follower of Manusmriti. 
  
So we can say victory of Bhima Koregaon was victory of Self Respect and Esteem over the haughty, superior and arrogant SAVARNA. One step ahead we can suggest or request all of you that in remembrance of MAHAR Soldier who fought and died for Self Respect and Esteem in The Bhima Koregaon Battle we should celebrate 1st January as a SHAURYA DIN.