Kavi Kalash (died March 1689 CE, Tulapur) was a poet, a close friend and advisor to Maratha king (Chatrapati) Sambhaji who reigned 1680-1689.
Early life
A Kannauj brahmin by birth, Kalash was an able administrator as well as a warrior, who accompanied Sambhaji in many of his campaigns. He is known to have defeated Shahabuddin Khan in a fierce battle near Raigad in 1684. He was given the title of Chandogamatya by Sambhaji.
Death
In March 1689, Kavi Kalash was captured, along with Sambhaji, by the Mughal army under Aurangzeb in Sangameshwar, and was tortured and killed. They were paraded as clowns and, according to some accounts, killed using tiger claws for a slow death.