Those who lost their lives in war, sometimes in acts of bravery, are called heroes. Memorials of such heroes were erected with respect by villagers or their families. They are called Virgal or Hero Stones. Hero Stones are found in significant numbers in our villages. Memorials of deceased women or Sati are also found. Hero Stones can be a tool for understanding our history.
Author and history researcher Sadashiv Tetwilkar has added valuable information to the historical resources through his Maharashtratil Virgal book. Dr. Gunther Santheimer, a keen scholar of Maharashtra culture, was the first to draw attention to this type of unconventional historical tool of culture.