Bishnopanth Badami

Who was Bishnopanth Badami?

Bishnopanth Badami, also known as Bakshi Bishnopanth Pundit, was the Sir Subah of the Badami Fort during the late 18th century, under Nana Phadnavis of the Maratha forces. Following the defeat of the Maratha forces in Badami, Bishnopanth joined the services of Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan, Bishnopanth was part of Tipu's campaigns in Arcot, Tanjore and Madras. Following Tipu's defeat in 1799, Bishnopanth surrendered to General Harris and subsequently served the Mysore army and served as the head of the Mysore Horse. He worked closely with the British during the Battle of Assaye in 1803, the Pindari rebellion, and the slaying of Dhoondia Wagh. Bishnopanth worked in close quarters with Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington from the years 1800 to 1808. He was granted a payment of 12,000 rupees from the East India Company for his services for the Mysore Horse.

Born as a Brahmin, Bishnopanth Badami did not believe in or practice the caste system, and was truly a person with broad thought. Bishnopanth Badami was a patron of the Banashankari Devi temple in Badami.