On Salon, there is an absolutely fascinating piece on how the Maharashtrian surname Ghorpade came into being. Apparently the Marathi word for a monitor lizard is “ghorpad”. And the monitor lizard has a solid place in Maratha history/mythology/ folklore.
Legend has it that Chatrapati Shivaji‘s favourite general Tanaji Malusare breached the supposedly impregnable Sinhagad fort by tying a rope to the back of Shivaji’s pet monitor lizard, Yaswanthi. The lizard scaled a sheer cliff face beneath an unguarded section of the fort, secured itself in a crevice, and allowed Tanaji to climb up behind. Unfortunately, although the assault was successful, Tanaji died in the fighting.
If you knew this before, apologies for our ignorance.
churumuri 
Heard this before .Thanks for refreshing and also providing more details on this .
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I used to hear this as a bedtime story from my maternal granny Tarabai when I was eight or nine.
My Aji was a veritable encyclopedia on legends surrounding Shivaji Maharaj as well as the Peshwas. She also seemed to know every single story from the various Puranas (MarkanDeya, Bhagawat, Vishnu, Shiva, etc.)
This post helped me relive a vivid childhood memory: Thanks, KP!
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Sorry guys, the linguist DB has a take on this Ghorpade origin. As we all know ‘Uda’ is the name for a lizard in Kannada. Make it a fearsome ‘Uda’ which becomes ‘Ghora Uda’ and in the folk speak this becomes ‘Ghorpuda’ and in Marathi this became ‘Ghorpude’. QED.
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UDA ( Ghorpad) is an extinct species . In my native people find it during hunting and kill it . It is believed to have some medicinal values for people suffering arithrities and other ailments related to muscle/bone strength .
The meat is supposed to be very bitter ( Kahi) to what I heard .
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KP,
This was in the 70s Amar Chitra Katha comic, titled ‘Tanaji’. And since I grew up in Mumbai, every kid knew the above funda. :-)
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DG is right. Ghorpads were used by snake-oil salesmen to provide potent remedies for impotence. :-) We schoolboys used to singger when we passed tribals selling the horrible stuff to gullible people on the streets.
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Quizman
In the Orient, sea horse and deer penises are considered useful for the same purpose.
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i think we had this in school. (that is how i got introduced to the word iguana i think). or was it amar chitra katha? or both? i remember taking that comic to school.
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it was in our school text book. what makes you so excited about sivaji, any bal thackery connection?
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Some spin with a lizard! The lizard ‘beamed up’ Tanaji. Well we got to believe this as we were not there!!!
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Nice one, Ranga!
“Beam me up, Yaswanti.”
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Interesting, Didn’t know this
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Ghorpade’s are great Maratha basically from Mudhol in Karnataka.
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Heard the ghorpade clan was named after the monitor lizard, the origin relates to Chitoor,Rajastan and sandur,Karnataka.
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I been from the family of Ghorpade’s knew this story as it is told to every child in the family. As the name is little odd, every child has curosity, as why such name do we have, but when the story is narrated by elder to the child he feels proud to be one of the Ghorpade’s
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Is there anyone knows, why Ghorpade’s were opted for this work and which surname they used to call with before hadling Lizards? I mean before being named by GHOPRADEs what was their existence?
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please see the tararani sanghralaya where vanshaval is displayed.from vanshal, it appears that rajebhonsale and rajeghorpade are from one family i.e.sesodia from rajasthan.two branches of sesodia family known as 1.rajebhonsale 2.rajeghorpade .marriages are not done among these two faimly becouse the gotra is same i.e.koushik.
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What Lalasaeb Ghorpade says That is absolutly correct. RajeBhonsale & Rajeghorpade from one family. History told Raje Krsinaji Bhonsale separated from Bhonsale family 7 he adopted surname Ghorpade. Then Ghorpade surane branch started.
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Lala saheb is speaking correct , Ghorpade are 100 % part of Bhosale family. Lizard story is not true with Tanaji Malusare , he was great warrior no doubt.There is no evidence available even Babasaheb purandare is agree on this. but there was story about Ghorpade while Khelna gad fight (Vishal gad -kolhapur now days),few bhosale’s used lizard in that war and won the battle.. it is not mentioned in sabhasad bhakhar that how it has been use but they have used it. so thats the reason those warrior known as Ghorpade’s.
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Ghorpade’s are great Maratha
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Dovetailing the last comment by Shri Digvijay Ghorpade. Thanjavur or Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Kumbakonum and Mayavurm (old name) also has the clan and family of Ghorpade’s. Let the GHORPADE CLAN meet up. +919967014432
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Yes, above statement is absolutey correct. Really GHORPADE are Great Leader, Fighter & Maratha. I think Maharastra need a Great Maratha Leadership Now a Days. If someOne GHORPADE Become Maharastra’s CM, then definetly Maharastra Become Great MARATHA State, Sujal & Sunder. So, please to be proud of our surname. but their is one Problem to MAratha people that is Our Maratha People. means we r our problem. this statement called by past. Now a days every maratha wants to solve this Problem. So plz if any one wants to become CM of maharastra from our GHORPADE , help that person. Jai Maharastra ! Jai GHORPADE !!!Proud of GHORPADE!!!!!!!!
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vir maratha’s vir ghorpade,country needs brave soldiers,we marathas can fulfill this need of country.
being a marathi idont say jai maharashtra rather i would like to say is jai BHARAT.
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How do we all connect? I am based in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
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i come from the GAJENDRAGAD branch of the Ghorpade family . the british musuem in London has info on the family written by Buyer’s . i am willing to help research the family history and need inputs / info from anyone who can provide . pl send any material / data and persons who can contribute to compiling this history of our renowned family.
we originate from the SISODIA clan of Rajastan and have evolved from then to the many branches like MUDHOL, GAJENDRAGAD, SANDUR ( all in karnataka ) to KAPSHIKAR, DATTWADKAR, ETC ETC
INDARJIT , BANGALORE . INDIA
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It is true that Raje-Bhosle & Raje-Ghorpade are from one family that is Sisodia from Rajstan, but Sisodia mean ‘Patil’ & “Patil” is cast, that is developed from Yadav, ShriKrishna Vansh. Samrat Ashoka aslo was a ‘Patil’ And his kigdom know as “Patliputra”, nowa day called Patna, Bihar.
These ‘Patil’ transfered to Maharashtra during rising of Buddhisum in Bihar .Beacause Samart Ashoka don’t want war again & again, so he support to Buddhisum . Peace in Cheap. So warriers left Patliputra. And came to Rajastan, & then in Maharashtra ( Dandakaranya-Old time)
Also,we can say –
Ghor- Means Warry About, in Marathi ‘Chinta’ & “Pade” mean to be –”Padne” in Marathi & in Maghi
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Well,i have been brought up in pune but my father , mr.ravindra ghorpade, is from a village called shiral in ahemadnagar district…infact evry 2nd house in this village belongs to the ghorpade’s…I dont no much about the family history but I have r family tree which is vry vry huge..so if any1 is interested,u may mail me, jeetghorpade@gmail.com
also lets plan a get together of all ghorpade’s in this summer…sm1 plz take the initiative
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All Dear Ghorpade’s, This is request to all Ghorpade’s be connect at least with emails. We all very proud of our surname. We should be in touch with each other. Pleae be comfort to email me on vinayakghorpade99@rediffmail.com cell no. +91 97300 19599
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I am basically from koregaon taluka, satara district. I didn’t know about this all. Today I proud to be a GHORPADE.
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i am from sangali my mom & pappa are in karanataka in BIJAPUR
we are MARATHA and in that we are proud to an THE GREAT WORRIERS ”GHORPADE” & BHAGAVA COLOUR (KESARI) IS MY IDENTIFICATION
”””””””””””””””””””””””JAI HIND JAI MARATHA””””””””””””””””””””
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How did some Ghorpades land in Sandur and turn large tracts of our karunaadu into unusable gaping black holes, just as the Reddy outsiders are doing now. Someday there won’t be a Bellary district above ground.
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I reread the post. Does anybody have any idea what happened to the brave, legendary ghorpad?
“Ghorpad” seems to be a sanskrit compound word: “Ghora” =frighening,
“pada”=feet. We know that lizards can be poisonous.
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Tension nahi layneka. This is for the first comment.
Second – Many meanings.
All is well Pulikeshi.
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Has anyone heard of one Mr. Indrajit Ghorpade from Sandur? He lives in bangalore. Approximately around 50 Years of age.
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I am from Ghorpade family from Bhor (Pune).We are initially 3 families in Bhor.As per our elders our origin is from Barshi(Usmanabad district).I will be very happy if some one from Ghorpade will know more on this.
I agree with Mr.Vinayak Ghorpade & request to keep in touch at least with Email.
This is request to all Ghorpade’s be connect at least with emails. We all very proud of our surname. We should be in touch with each other. Pleae be comfort to email me on santosh_1106@yahoo.co.in MB:+919879218766
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I am interested in tracking my ancestors.My father used to tel us a story of the origin of our name .the idea of get together is very good. My would like to join
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Santosh & Dilipsingha I am thank u very much that u r also intersted to get together, My dear all Ghorpade’s ” Kai Bar Milneke liye Ek bar Milna Bahut Jaruri Hai” Hope we will meet soon. Atl least be in touch with emails., connect with me on facebook.
vinayakinhouse@gmail.com Moblie- +919730019599
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majha vachnyat asa ala hota ke karna singh raje bhosale he shiv chhatrapatinchch purvaj yanni adilshait sardar ki nibhavat astana vishalgad jinkala hota ? to prathm ghorpad takun killa chandnyacha prayog tyni kela mahnun tyna ghorpada bhadur ha khitab milaala pudhe tynche vansanj tech adnav lau lagle ? sandharba sathi sachin kanitkar yancha swarajya che mrtyunjay he pustak avashya vacha !!
dnyavad! jai bhavani !!
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i m from ratnagiri.
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mala abhiman aha ki apan marathas ahot ani abhiman aha ki apale surname ghorpade aha a ghorpade from satara
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There are no takers for the theory that Bhosles and ghorpades are sisodias
The Sisodias of Rajputana refused adoption bid by Chatrapati Shahu of
Satara even though it was a large Kingdom.
But it is true that Bhosles and Ghorpades are from same Family. Shivaji’s
Grandfather Maloji Bosale had a brother named Yashwantrao who was in
the services of Bahamani Sultan of Bidar.He conquered the difficult Fort
named Khelna. which is present day Vishalgad in Kolhapur Dist. Yashwantrao achieved this feat with the help of Ghorpad Marathi for Monitor. The Sultan gave him the Title Ghorpada bahadur. His successors
adopted that as surname.Santaji Ghorpade was the most notable of them
He was an oustanding general and conqueror of Mighy Aurangzeb.
***
Bhosles are certainly southern kshatriyas decendants of hoysala kings of
Karnatak and tamilnadu.Bhosla clan does not figure in the 36 clans of
Rajputs.
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I am from Ghorpade family from Bilagi Bagalkot Dis karnatak.
I agree with Mr.Vinayak Ghorpade & request to keep in touch at least with Email. will be very happy if some one from Ghorpade will know more on this.
This is request to all Ghorpade’s be connect at least with emails. We all very proud of our surname. We should be in touch with each other. Pleae be comfort to email me on ranjeet9195@gmail.com mob no 9980789195
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The name Ghorpade was given to the ancestors in 1470AD when Karna Sinhji, Shubha Krishnaji and Bhim Sinhji the ancestors of Ghorpades and Bhosles scaled an tough fort for the Bahmani Sultan Mahmud Gawan with the help of an iguana(ghorpad in marathi). They were given the title of “Raja Bahadur Ghorpade” [2][3]. It is claimed that these three brothers Karnaji, Shubha Krishnaji and Bhimji were descendants of Rana Sujjanji the Sisodia scion who migrated to South with devoted band of Sisodia forces and joined Bahmani Sultan. The subclan consider themselves to be Sisodiya Rajput, settled in Mudhol. They do not intermarry with certain other Maratha clans, such as the Bhoite, Kate, Bhosale as they share the same totem within the Maratha clan system. The subclan claims descent from King Dorik, an ancient ruler of Chittoud (in modern Rajasthan).[4]
This subclan has produced many warriors such as Santajirao Ghorpade, Raghojirao Ghorpade, Maloji Ghorpade, Baji Ghorpade and others who served in the Maratha empire .
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what shivaji gave the name ghorpade to this man, are you mad, ghorpade was name given to sisodia rajputs 200 years before Shivaji in 1470AD when “KARNA SINHA” AND HIS “SON BHIMSEN capture khelna with ghorpad they were given title of “raja bahadur ghorpade”
if shivaji general was given the surname “ghorpade” then who was “BAJI GHORPADE” who was killed by Chatrapati Maharaja Shivaji himself.
Second both bhosle and ghorpade are sisodia rajputs and this thing was proved way back in “1932” the royal firmans(sanads) in the possesion of ghorpade confirmed that bhosle and ghorpade are sisodia , these hoyasala origin is work of anti rajput and anti-maratha scholars further the claim of hoyasala stands of linguistic affinity i found more resonance in “bhosla and khosla(punjabi hindu surname) rather than hoyasala”
in 1932 it was confirmed that bhosla and ghorpade are sisodia and have royal firmans with themselves.
the first family to use “GHORPAD” was sisodia family who became ghorpade and this is described by bahamani sultan himself in 1470AD , second thing this tanaji was never made ghorpade and has no connection with baji ghorpade mahloji ghorpade or legendary general santaji ghorpade .
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one guy here posted that bhosle are hoyasala, in which year you are living my friend , have you not read the royal firmans or as it is known persian sanads in possesion of Ghorpade family of Mudhol way back in 1930s, further whats the basis for bhosle being hoyasala no historical book mentions it.
sabhasad bakhar refers to bhosle as sisodia rajput, radha vilas champu mentions shahji bhonsle as solar dynasty sisodia, shivabharat mentions maloji and shahji as sisodia on which basis because Bhosla and Hoyasala have linguistic similarity sorry i dont think so.
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Raja Sahajee Bhonsla recently represented to the
lofty Court that the grandson of Cholraj Raja,
Prataprao Ghorpade Bahadur, has by force withheld his
half share from ancient times in the Mudhol Jagir,
the townships of Pargana Ben and the forts therein
and the possessions in Karad; also no share is given
to Rao Malojeo, the grandson of Vallabhsing. But he
has given a share to Mansingand Ambaji in the villages
of Mudhol, hence his ( Shahaji’s ) own share and that of
Malojec, the grandson of Vallabhsing, be granted by the
holy Sarkar. This representation has been considered
by our holy Great Mind and our attention has been
drawn to it, for it is a matter of our Imperial policy to
see that the requirements of this honest and obedient
ancient house are provided for; this has ever been our
policy in accordance to which the following agreeable
Firman is issued: Raja Prataprao, the grandson of Raja
Cholraj, should feel himself satisfied with Mudhol with
the 84 Moujas ( towns or villages ) and the Pargana of
Torgal and half the township of the family possessions of
Karnatak and Karad and the command and rank of 7,000.
Raja Sahajee should have half the villages of Pargana Ben
and 26 townships of Karad and half the family posses-
sions in the Karnatik as his portions with the rank and
command of 5,000, and Malojee, the son of Bhairava-
sing, the son of Valabhsingh, has been granted 30 villages
in the neighbourhood of Vijayanagar with the command
of 2,000. Separate Sanads have been issued From
this all the members of the family should be satisfied
[2]
with the liberal grants conferred and they should be all
attention to the welfare^of the ever-increasing Empire
and the services pertaining to it
Dated 1047 Shuhur-1056 A.H. or 19th August 1646 A.D.
This is the partition deed of Sisodia Ghorpade and Sisodia Bhosle .
Property was divided among 5 persons all descendants of Sesodia from chittor
1-Raja Shahji Bhosla(Shivaji father)
2-Pratap Rao Ghorapde(chief of mudhol)
3-Mansingh
4-Ambaji
5-Rao Mahaloji Ghorpade.
All 5 direct descendants of Rana Ugrasena- father of karna sinh and shubha krishna
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Further it is not that Sesodia earned name and fame in medieval period, the warriors who saved india from ARABS and then recapture sindh and multan and lahore from Arabs were led by a Guhilaputra(sesodia) Bappa Rawal , sesodia rajputs follow shivaism they are ardent followers of god SHANKAR when other rajputs houses gave women to mogul rulers, maharana pratap scrapped all ties with all such rajput clans, in short sesodia have been the best kshatriya of india from ancient times. Maharana Sanga was the only hindu ruler who defeated all 3 delhi sultanate lodi,tughlaq and khilji he defeated ibrahim lodi of lodi dynasty twice.
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Im from the Dattawad branch of the Ghorpade’s and contributed towards Christopher Buyers site http://www.royalark.net You can find the ghorpade history under Mudhol and Sandur. After reading the above, I’d agree with the fact that the Ghorpade’s originate from Karnasingh sisodiya.. the bhonsles from subha krishna, both descendants of sujan singh of Chittor. Bhonsle’s and Ghorpade’s do not marry a they share the samr gotra and also on the principle of consaguinity. The Mudholkar ghorpade’s have provided some insights into Ghorpade history on the http://www.rajaofmudhol.com . Mudhol was the first seat of the Ghorpade’s. Kapshi, gajendragad and dattawad descend from mudhol. Hasurkar, Madhyalkars are junior branches tpo Kapshi and Khemlapur, Bedag and Madbhavi are further junior branches to Dattawad.
Please refer to- http://www.royalark.net/sandur, http://www.royalark.net/sandur2, or http://www.rajaofmudhol.com
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NICE GHORADAE GROUP
IAM STUDYING ON THIS SUBJECT ANY ONE HAVING OLD VANSHAVALI AND INFORMATION KINDLY MAIL. CAN ANY ONE HELP ME GET A COPY OF ORIGINAL FIRMANS ISSUED TO GHORPADES
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Can I get full info about this animal what this animal eats where does it found more in Maharashtra. etc. Plaza sir/madam
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Hello friends,
I am from Belgaum, Karnataka.
My grandparents lived in Malwan and I am not sure of the links or history prior. I am very happy to see so many posts about Ghorpade and origin of this surname. Thanks for providing all the info here.
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Abhijit,
Very nice! have a Maddur vade with your Ghorpade surname!
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Hi!! We have all been getting connected through this website. I request we beyond adding comments. I suggest some of us who have posted their mail ID’s and mobile numbers exchange personal notes and details. Let us keep our ‘EGO’s’ to the zero levels and start interacting which I am sure will go a long way. The younger generation is on the FB and LinkedIn, who can also create a larger network. We are starting with Ghorpade’s as a ‘POINT’ and would slowly expand with the people who have married into Ghorpade’s or married out. A proper structure of information gathering and networking will be intersting for other Ghorpade’s to contribute positively. Repeat I am available on +919967014432 or gudkedar@gmail.com. I stay in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
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kindly send information of ghorpades to this mail rcchandankar@yahoo.co.in
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Hey guys, how about using tools such as http://www.ancestry.com/ to get you all connected?
~*~
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Just to keep this discussion level, as TP Kailasm observed, the history of Maharastra can be summed up in a few sentences: Shivaji, Sambaji and Aluchi Patal Bhaji :)
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we are in tamilnadu, origin tanjore,can anyone clarify the antecedents of tanjore mahrattas and ghorpade connection
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I think the coffee table book written by By Mr M Ghorpade…former finance minister of karnataka is illustrative about the family tree etc. By the way Santaji Ghorpade did not marry or did not have children…there is a beautiful love story ….he and his love mate seem to have died together…the lady was from Nimbalkar family of Phaltan….If any body is really interested I shall pen it in short next time.
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Dear Col D D Ghorpade,
please do pen.
we need more sensible articles in churumuri.
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Mi ajay ghorpade satara maz mul gaon venegaon ghosade winkipeda madhe amchya gavacha ullekh ahe amche pahune jahav-inamdar rajeshirke bajimohite from talbid ase ahet amche relatives dekhil amala royal family of ghorpade mantat parantu amhi konache varas ahot kutun v kase ya gavamadhe alo amchi vanshaval ya baddal kahi mhiti nahi plz konakade kahi mahiti asel tar margdarshan karave my mail id is ajaa.ghorpade@gmail.Com my cot no 7588384362
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however, aforementioned posts were nice, one thing is that, Marathas were the backbone of Deccan Sultanates, similarly like Rajputs to the Mughals…..
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Is there any specific ‘Ghorpade’s Day’ in a year either in English calendar or Hindu calendar. If it is not there, it will be interesting sort out of history a day when we all could have some event. Details can be worked out.
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Here discussion started with Lizard called ghorpad and her meat medicine value and then suddenly became Ghorpade Family Forum :-)
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First of all i proud to be Indian
and I Proud to be RajeGhorpade
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I heard this on the radio yesterday and immediately remembered the Ghorpades!
The US armed forces are researching use of lizard hair to scale walls. Lizards (of various kinds) have numerous hair in their toes that helps hold them. Supposedly can sustain weights upto 700lbs.
http://news.sky.com/story/1280783/handheld-pads-let-you-climb-walls-like-gecko
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Let’s all Ghorpade’s have a common network.,
mail me on dubai@teamunic.com so that we can start getting social and networking with each other
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