Bapaiya

The Bapaiya, (also spelled as Bapaiyya) was a legendary Koli dacoit of Gujarat who killed the Bahucharaji mata at Shankhalpur during her return to Kathiawar.

Portrait of Bahuchara Mata who was killed by Bapaiya

Name:- Bapaiya Koli

Profession:- Agriculturist Koli

Native name in Gujarati language:- બાપૈયયા કોલી

Birth place:- Sankhalpur, Gujarat, India, Asia

Death place:- Arnej, Kathiawar, Gujarat

Cause of death:- Hunger in devotee

Nationality:- India

Citizenship:- Indian

Occupation:- Thuggee, Dacoit

Era:- Sultanate era

Known for:- Killing of Bahuchara Mata

Criminal charges:- Murder, Thuggee, Kidnapping, Blackmailing

History of  Koli decoit Bapiya

When Bahuchara and her two sisters were returning from Marwad to Gujarat, they were attacked by Bapaiya plunderer at Shankhalpur. He killed two of the sisters of Bahuchara. To save herself from being raped and abduction, Bahuchara cut off ber breasts, with a sword carried by Charan women, and pronounced the dread Traga on the Bapaiya, cursing him and prophesying that he would become impotent. Bapaiya begged forgiveness, and the dying Charan girl Bahuchara realizing that the Traga having been called forth could not be recalled, advised Bapaiya to install her as a goddess and worship her image. Bahuchara also promised that any eunuch who would stay at her shrine dressed as a woman and worship her would attain salvation.

After death of Bahuchara, Bapaiya, who was feeling guilty, erected a shrine of the goddess Bahuchara under a varakhda tree and passed his life in worship of the Bahuchara, but died on the way to Arnej and Balal.