The 208th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima was commemorated in a peaceful and solemn manner at the historic 'Jaystambh' memorial in Perne village, Pune district, on Thursday. The event, which drew an enormous crowd largely consisting of Ambedkarite followers, passed without any incidents, a stark contrast to the violence that marred the bicentennial observance eight years ago.
Massive Peaceful Gathering and Political Tributes
District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed that approximately seven lakh visitors attended the anniversary program at the obelisk. He attributed the smooth proceedings to excellent coordination between the police, district administration, Zilla Parishad, Public Works Department, and revenue officials, supported by various social organizations.
High-profile political leaders paid their respects at the site. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) leader Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, were among the notable figures who visited the Jaystambh on January 1.
Heightened Security and Arrangements
Mindful of the 2018 violence that resulted in one death and multiple injuries during the 200th-anniversary commemoration, authorities treated this year's event with high sensitivity. A substantial police force was deployed around the Jaystambh and neighboring villages, including Koregaon Bhima itself.
The government laid on extensive facilities for the visitors, which included:
- Free bus services for transportation.
- Drinking water tankers and sanitation facilities.
- Health camps, medical teams, ambulances, and fire tenders on standby.
Security was exceptionally tight. Every individual proceeding towards the memorial was required to pass through door frame metal detectors. The area was under constant surveillance through multiple CCTV cameras and drone monitoring to oversee the large crowds.
Historical Significance and Divergent Narratives
The Jaystambh is a military monument erected by the British East India Company in 1821. It commemorates soldiers who fought in the Battle of Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818. Historical accounts state that a British Army contingent of about 500 soldiers, predominantly from the Mahar community, fought against a much larger force of around 28,000 Peshwas.
For lakhs of Ambedkarites across Maharashtra and India, visiting the Jaystambh on January 1 is an act of paying homage on 'Shaurya Din' (Victory Day). They honor the Mahar soldiers, believing they fought for freedom against the caste oppression of the Peshwa regime. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar himself visited the site on January 1, 1927, during the movement against the British Army's recruitment ban on 'untouchables'.
However, an alternative perspective comes from the family of Kandojibin Gajoji Jamadar (Malvadkar), a soldier wounded in the 1818 battle who was later appointed as the in-charge of the Jaystambh in 1824. Advocate Rohan Jamadar, a descendant, stated that both armies comprised soldiers from various castes. The family contends the battle should not be viewed through a caste lens and is not a symbol of a war against casteism. As a preventive measure, the Jamadar family stayed away from the area this year following a police notice.
Calm Prevails in Adjacent Village
The peaceful atmosphere extended to Vadhu Budruk village, located about four kilometers from the Jaystambh. Many visitors also traveled there to see the samadhi of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The village also houses a disputed tomb-like structure, which the Dalit Mahar community reveres as the samadhi of 17th-century figure Govind Gopal Dhegoji Meghoji.
The day also saw a vibrant cultural and intellectual exchange, with thousands of people browsing book stalls set up in the open spaces near the memorial, marking a successful and reflective anniversary observance.
