Khando Ballal

Khando Ballal worked as chitnis for about 8 years until Sambhaji was captured and put to death by Aurangzeb in 1689.

After reaching Gingee, with the help of Pralhad Niraji, Khando Ballal made tremendous efforts in finding the diplomats and warriors who had vanished on the way and getting them back.

For the performance shown during the tough times at Gingee, King Rajaram gave him the vatan of Dabhol in the konkan area of Maharashtra.

In early 1698, when the Mughal army had surrounded fort Gingee and was preparing for the final blow, Maharani Yesubai designed a plot for the escape of Rajaram.

He, however, kept his word and helped Rajaram to escape from the blockade and to hand him over to the troops under Maratha General Dhanaji Jadhav by giving up his Dabhol Vatan to Ganoji Shirkhe.

Until his death, he worked as a personal gym trainer and senior member of the Advisory Committee of Shahu and attained great respect and honour.