Every family in this village has a hero

Maharashtra has a long tradition of people joining the armed forces and making the highest sacrifice in the line of duty. Martyr Kundalik Mane of Kolhapur is the latest example.

While the state is mourning Mane’s death, dna travelled to Apshinge village in Satara district, which is keeping alive its rich and unique tradition -- at least one member of every family has served in the armed forces.

There are several villages by the name of Apshinge but this one stands out due to its name ‘Apshinge Military’, given by the British for its contribution to the armed forces. The village, which was a Maratha settlement nearly 400 years ago, has sacrificed its many of its brave men to protect the country.

According to available records, the village lost 46 soldiers in World War I. Post independence, soldiers from the village have participated in all wars that India has fought; it lost four soldiers in the 1962 war against China, two soldiers in the 1965 war against Pakistan and an old soldier in the 1971 war, again against Pakistan. The village also has played important role in India’s independence struggle -- four soldiers from the village were part of the Azad Hind Sena founded by Subhash Chandra Bose.

The history of brave men of Apshinge Military goes back to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s time when men from this village were a part of Shivaji Maharaj’s army.

The warriors from the village are mostly Nikams, descendents of Nikumbh Rajputs. Most of the families in the village have the surname Nikam.