Umberkhind serves a one of the many ghats which descend into the Konkan region. Of it, Kurwande ghat starts from Lonavla and descends to Umbre village in Konkan region. While descending the Sahyadri range from Lonavla we come to Chavni village where we come across Amba river. This river can be followed up to the Thakurwadi village.the narrow path from Chavni to Thakurwadi passes through dense forest. There are small hills on both sides of the path due to which it takes the pattern of a valley. The opening of this valley is at Thakurwadi village. Below this hill, the Amba river takes a right turn. As this valley gets surrounded by the huge Sahyadri on the back side, hills on the either side, Amba river to one side it forms as a perfect trap for the enemy. This geographical position was used to the best advantage of the Maratha army to defeat the Mughals.
In A.D.1661, Shahistekhan sent his general Kartalab Khanto capture the North Konkan region which was under the rule of Marathas. Other than Kartalab Khan, Kachhap, Jaswant Kokate, Raybaghan (the lady general), infantry & cavalry numbering to approximately 20,000, horses, bulls, small canons, rifles, elephants and treasure were also accompanied. Kartalab Khan arrived to Lonavla by the route of Pune-Talegaon-Vadgaon-Malavli. Kartalab Khan passed the forts of Lohagad and Visapur on his way but he didn’t face any resistance as it was pre-planned and ordered by Shivaji Maharaj. He deliberately wanted to stick the Mughal army in the Umberkhind valley. Netaji Palkar blocked the water sources on the way which made it difficult for the Mughal Army.
To cheat the Mughal army, Shivaji Maharaj grouped his army near the town of Pen and had this information to pass till Kartalab Khan. The Mughal army took the route of Kurwanda ghat and reached Chavni village by afternoon. As it was the month of January, Amba river was dried up being a primarily monsoon water body. The treacherous valley route combined with the afternoon sun and lack of water made things hard for the Mughal army. Kartalab Khan ordered his army to march forward. When they reached the center point of the valley with one end of the army towards Thakurwadi village and the other end towards Chavni village, the Marathas attacked with full force. The Marathas got a good defense support of the adjoining forest and the hill while it made very difficult for the Mughals to defend and fight back. After hearing that Shivaji Maharaj was standing on the hill of Thakurwadi, it sent the Mughal army into a state of panic. Netaji Palkar had blocked the route of ascending through the Sahyadri range. Kartalab Khan and his army had got stuck badly in the brilliant seize of the Marathas and the wild nature which made them to surrender to the Marathas. Eventually the Mughal army had to retreat on foot by surrendering all their weapons, treasure and animals. On the day of 2nd February 1661 the Marathas won over the Mughal army in Umberkhind with very little loss on their side.
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