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Peshwa of the Maratha Empire
Former Monarchy
Imperial
Flag of the Maratha Empire
First monarch	Moropant Trimbak Pingle
Last monarch	Baji Rao II
Official residence	Shaniwarwada
Monarchy started	1657
Monarchy ended	1818

A Peshwa (Marathi: पेशवे) is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emperor Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. The word Peshwa has roots in the Persian language meaning 'foremost'. The Peshwas were all Brahmin ministers who initially started as the chief executives to the king. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army. They later became the de facto hereditary administrators of the Maratha Empire from 1749 till its end in 1818.

Under Peshwa administration and with the support of several key generals and diplomats (listed below), the Maratha Empire reached its zenith, ruling most of the Indian subcontinent landmass. It was also under the Peshwas that the Maratha Empire came to its end through its formal annexation into the British Empire by the British East India Company in 1818.

The Title of Peshwa[link]

After the coronation of Shivaji in 1674, he appointed Moropant Trimbak Pingle as the first Peshwa. Shivaji renamed this designation as Pantpradhan in 1674 but this term is less commonly used. Today, the surname "Peshwe" (alternatively "Peshave") is found both among Konkanastha Brahmins (tracing decent to the Bhat clan, notably Bajirao I) and Deshastha Brahmins (tracing decent to Moropant Pingle, Sonopant Dabir and a certain clan from Jejuri, Pune), as well as some Maratha (Kshatriya) families of Vidarbha (by titulary heritage).

Moropant Pingle[link]

The first Peshwa, Moropant Trimbak Pingle was a Deshastha Brahmin. His son, Moreshwar Pingle, also served as Peshwa after his father's death in 1683.

Ramchandra Pant Amatya (Bawadekar)[link]

The second Peshwa, Ramchandra Amatya (né Ramachandra Nilkanth Pant), received King status from Chatrapti Rajaram as "Hukumatpanha" during 1689–1699. He was a sound administrator who rose from the level of a local Kulkarni to the ranks of Ashtapradhan due to guidance and support from Shivaji. Amatya is a Sanskrit term denoting counselor, guide, supervisor or overseer of both personal and governmental affairs.

He recaptured many forts from the Mughals during 1690–1694. Some forts he captured as well as personally conducting guerilla war techniques. When Chatrapati Rajaram fled to Jinji in 1689 then before leaving from Maharastra, he gave "Hukumat panha" (King Status) to Pant. Ramchandra Pant managed the entire state under many challenges like influx of Moguls, betrayal of Vatandars, and scarcity of food. With the help of Pantpratindhi, Sachiv kept the economic condition of Maratha State in a proper way. He got tremendous military help from Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav the great Maratha warriors. Many times he directly participated in war, especially during 1689–1695; he personally re-captured many forts in south Maharastra from the Mughuls and played a role of shadow king in the absence of Chatrapati Rajaram.

In 1698, he happily stepped down from the post of "Hukumatpanha" and Rajaram offered this post to his wife Tarabai. Tarabai gave an important position to Pant in senior administration of Maratha State. He wrote a book called Adnyapatra मराठी: आज्ञापत्र which explained different techniques of war, maintenance of forts and administration etc.

The concepts in Adnyapatra and the wisdom and leadership of Tararani (Tarabai) greatly helped the Maratha empire in building the foundation of state. As he was more loyal to Tararani than Shahu, he was sidelined after the arrival of Shahu. Later, the Peshwa post was given to Balaji Vishwanath in 1713. Ramchandra Pant died in 1716 on Panhala fort.

Parshuram Trimbak Kulkarni[link]

Parshuram Trimbak Kulkarni who (and his descendents) later became the jagirdars of Aundh state.He was instrumental in holding the fort Panhala against Aurangzeb (1689). Though he lost the fort then, he recaptured it in 1692. He also captured territories between Miraj and fort Rangana and also Bhudargad ,Chandangad, Pavangad, Satara and Vasantgad. He continued his loyalty towards Tarabai much to the chagrin of Shahu. Shahu imprisoned him twice between 1710-14. 14 (second time when his son Krishnaji joined the forces of Sammbhaji II).But his life was spared by Shahu because of the intervention of Khando Ballal (Shahus personal assistant ) who reminded his king of Parshuram Trimbaks contribution to the maratha cause. Parshuram Trimbak continued holding the position of Pant Pratinidhi in the time of Tarabai until his death in 1718. He was succeeded by his son Srinivasrao aka Shripatrao, who continued albeit as the feudatory jagirdar(Aundh) of Shahus .

Bhat Family[link]

Balaji Vishwanath Bhat Peshwa

Bajirao Balaji Bhat Peshwa (Bajirao I)

The position moved to the Bhat family of Shrivardhan in the Konkan region, upon appointment of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat as Peshwa by the fourth Chattrapati Shahu in 1713. The appointment of his son, Baji Rao I as Peshwa in 1719 by Shahu made the position hereditary in the Bhat family, and also led to a rebellion by General Trimbak Rao Dabhade, the senapati (commander in chief), over Chauthai (revenue collection) of Gujarat. The followers of Baji and Trimbak clashed at the Battle of Bilhapur on April 1, 1731, and Trimbak was killed, giving the peshwas and the Bhat family unchallenged control over Maratha.^[1] Shahu, who also appointed Baji Rao's son as Peshwa in 1740, gave considerable authority to the Peshwas to command the Maratha armies, and they responded well during his reigns.

At the time of his death in 1749, Shahu made the Peshwas his successors under such conditions. Shivaji's descendants, who remained as the titular Raja of Satara, were called Swami (Marathi for the 'real owner') by the Peshwas who reported to them, and they were to seek guidance from the Raja. However, the Peshwa also became a ceremonial head of state after the battle of Panipat and the death of Madhavrao.

Legacy[link]

The first Peshwa to receive the status of a king was Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bawdekar in 1689 by Chatrapati Rajaram. The first Bhat family Peshwa was Balaji Vishwanath Bhat. He was succeeded as Peshwa by his son Baji Rao I, who never lost a battle. Baji Rao and his son, Balaji Baji Rao, oversaw the period of greatest Maratha expansion (see map at right), brought to an end by the Maratha's defeat by an Afghan army at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. The last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was defeated by the British East India Company in the Battle of Khadki which was a part of Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818). After the defeat the Maratha Empire was merged with British India. The empire was annexed to the British East India Company's Bombay province, and the Peshwa was pensioned off.

List of the Peshwas[link]

Appointed Peshwas[link]

Appointed and Hereditary Peshwas[link]

Notable generals and diplomats of Peshwas[link]

Peshwa Madhavrao II and his Ministers, at Pune.

• Ragho Ballal Atre
• Malharrao Holkar
• Ranoji Scindia
• Dhanaji Jadhav
• Santaji Ghorpade
• Sadashivrao Bhau
• Ibrahim Khan Gardi
• Pawar clan
• Govind Pant Bundele
• Keso Narayan Deshpande
• Balaji and Chimnaji Deshpande
• Dhamdhere clan
• Pilaji Rao Gaekwad
• Visaji Krushna Biniwale
• Nana Phadnis
• Mahadji Shinde
• Raste clan
• Melgiri Pandit
• Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi
• Patwardhan clan
• Moropant Pingale
• Neelkanth Sarnaik
• Rahuji Somanath
• Annaji Dato Sabnis
• Balaji Kunjar / Kunjir

See also[link]

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Peshwa.

• Nana Phadnawis
• Kharda

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2012)

Baji Rao I
Peshwa of Maratha Empire
In office 1720–1740
Monarch	Chhattrapati Shahu
Preceded by	Balaji Vishwanath
Succeeded by	Balaji Bajirao
Personal details
Born	August 18, 1700
Died	April 28, 1740
Religion	Hinduism

Shrimant Baji Rao Balaji Bhat (Marathi: श्रीमंत बाजीराव बल्लाळ बाळाजी भट) (August 18, 1700 – April 28, 1740), also known as Baji Rao I, was a noted general who served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the fourth Maratha Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shahu from 1720 until Baji Rao's death. He is also known as Thorale (Marathi for Elder) Baji Rao. He was also popular with the nickname 'Rau' (in Marathi 'राऊ').

Born a Maratha guardian he took up leading his troops. He is credited with expanding the Maratha Empire especially in north to help reach its zenith during his son's reign twenty years after his death. Baji Rao is thus acknowledged as the most famous of the nine Peshwas.

Origins[link]

Baji Rao was the son of the first Bhat family Peshwa, Balaji Vishwanath. At the age of 20, he was appointed by Chhattrapati Shahu as Peshwa upon the death of his father, keeping aside all other claimants. It is quite clear from this appointment that Shahu recognized his talent even as a boy and positioned him as Peshwa. Bajirao was popular with his soldiers and even today his name is an honorable one.

Standing tall, poised and confident before Shahu Maharaj and his court, the young new Peshwa Baji Rao is said to have thundered:

He fixed his piercing gaze on Shahu Maharaj and said, “Strike, strike at the trunk and the branches will fall off themselves. Listen but to my counsel, and I shall plant the saffron flag on the walls of Attock”. Shahu was deeply impressed and exclaimed, “By heaven, you shall plant it on the Himalayas”.

This story indicates the vision of Bajirao and Shahu Maharaj's faith in the young man. Shahu Maharaj appointed him as a Peshwa at a tender age, recognising his talents and entrusting to him imperial troops which had recently emerged victorious in the Mughal-Maratha conflict that ended in 1707. Baji Rao's greatness lay in that true to the judgment of his master and seasoned troops at his disposal, he struck terror of Maratha armies in the Indian sub-continent.

Accomplishments[link]

• Baji Rao, who fought over 41 battles, is reputed to have never lost one. This has also been agreed upon by General Montgomery, British general and later Field Marshal after WWII, in his writings.

• He was one of the first to understand and exploit the fragmenting Mughal Empire, following the footsteps of his father. The declining influence of the Syed Brothers at the Imperial court was another factor influencing his decision to attack.

• The later Kingdoms of Scindias (Ranoji Shinde) of Gwalior, Holkars (Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads (Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars (Udaiji) of Dhar were Baji Rao's creation of a Maratha Empire as he wreaked havoc on the disintegrating Mughal Empire and set up his jagirdars (fiefdoms).

• He moved the administrative capital of the Maratha Empire from Satara to the city of Pune in 1728. His general, Bapuji Shripat persuaded some of the richer families of Satara to settle in the Pune city, which was divided into 18 peths (boroughs).

• In 1732, after the death of Maharaja Chhatrasal, a long-time ally of the Maratha Empire, Baji Rao was granted 1/3 of Chhatrasal's kingdom in Bundelkhand.

• An Outstanding cavalry leader, Baji Rao was loved by his troops and his people. He fought for the protection of Hindu Dharma, and freed central and western India from Mughals. Under his command, Marathas defeated the Siddis(moghul Admirals), Portuguese, and Nizam, Bangash and other generals.^[1]

Major battles[link]

Statue of Shrimant Bajirao Balaji Bhat Peshwa

• Malwa - December, 1723
• Dhar - 1724
• Aurangabad - 1724
• Battle of Palkhed - February, 1728
• Ahmedabad - 1731
• Udaipur - 1736
• Firozabad - 1737
• Delhi - 1737
• Bhopal - 1738
• Battle of Vasai - May 17, 1739

Battle tactics[link]

Baji Rao is famous for rapid tactical movements in battle using his cavalry inherited from maratha generals like Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, Ananadrao Makaji, hence he is often called a cavalry general. Two examples are the Battle of Palkhed in 1728 when he outmaneuvered the Mughal Governor of the Deccan province, and again in the battle against the Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah at Delhi during 1739. His main focus was always on cutting the enemy supply-lines with the help of rapid troop movement and the local terrain. He followed Maratha traditional tactics of encircling enemy quickly, appearing from the rear of enemy, attacking from the unexpected direction, distracting enemy's attention, keeping enemy in surprise and deciding the battlefield on own terms.

Family[link]

Baji Rao was married to Kashibai, and had three sons of whom, Nanasaheb, was appointed Peshwa by Shahu in 1740. His second son from Kashibai was named Raghunathrao and the third son's name was Shamsher Bahadur from Mastani.

Mastani[link]

Mastani

Mastani was the wife of Bajirao. She bore him a son, named Krishnarao at birth, but the Brahmins did not accept him as a pure Hindu Brahmin since his mother was a Muslim, (the daughter of Maharaja Chhatrasal of Panna by a Muslim wife) Mastani was also the single biggest complication in Bajirao's personal life. Their love affair caused much rift in the orthodox Pune society of the time and led to a major crisis within the royal Peshwa family.

Bajirao ardently desired that his son by Mastani be invested with the sacred thread and be declared a Brahmin. But even the powerful Bajirao could not get the orthodox Pune Brahmin priests to agree. With a heavy heart he had to bring up the lad as a Muslim. Renamed Shamsher Bahadur, Bajirao and Mastani's son died, aged barely 27, fighting valiantly for the Marathas in the Battle of Panipat 1761. Shamsher Bahadur's son, Ali Bahadur, ruled over Baji Rao's lands in Bundelkhand, and founded the state of Banda, UP.

Historian D. G. Godse claims that Baji Rao's brother Chimnaji Appa and mother, Radhabai, never accepted Mastani as one of their own. Many attempts were made on her life, presumably by Chimaji Appa and she was able to survive these attempts only at the interference of Chhattrapati Shahu. A recreation of the 'Mastani Mahal', the palace Peshwa Bajirao had built for her can be seen at the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune. Parts from the original palace that Bajirao had built.

Death[link]

Bajirao died on April 28, 1740 still in his prime. He died of a sudden fever, possibly heat stroke, while inspecting his jagirs and en route to Delhi with one lakh (100,000) troops under his command at his camp in the district of Khargon, near the city of Indore. He was cremated on April 28, 1740, at Raverkhedi on the river, Narmada.

Trivia[link]

• Baji Rao built the palace, Shaniwar wada in the city of Pune. A statue of Baji Rao stands in front of the palace.

Statue of Bajirao Peshwa outside Shaniwar Wada

Media[link]

• A leading Marathi entertainment channel, ETV-Marathi has launched a daily serial "Shrimant Peshwa Baji Rao Mastani" being produced by Nitin Chandrakant Desai Production from 14 June 2010. It will be telecast Monday to Friday at 2100 hrs.
• A Bollywood Hindi movie, ''Bajirao Mastani'' the romance between Baji Rao and his wife, Mastani is currently being planned. The movie is to be directed by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and is slated to star Rani Mukherjee as Kashibai, Kareena Kapoor as Mastani and Shahrukh Khan or Abhishek Bachchan as Baji Rao Peshwa. The movie has drawn the ire of Hindus as they feel instead of highlighting his revival of Hindu society and values, the movie depicts a questionable affair.
• A Marathi serial "Rau" was made on the story of Bajirao and Mastani in the 90s. It was based on the book of the same name by N. S. Inamdar.

Quotes[link]

- English historian Sir Richard Carnac Temple, Shivaji and the rise of the Mahrattas

- British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, The Concise History of Warfare, 132

- Bajirao was said to have told his brother Chimaji Appa.

- Author Sir Jadunath Sarkar, foreword in V.G. Dighe's, Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shaniwar Wada - the Peshwa palace at Pune
• pratapi bajirao-must read book

Additional reading[link]

• Palsolkar, Col. R. D. Bajirao I: An outstanding Indian Cavalry General, India: Reliance Publishers, 248pp, 1995, ISBN 81-85972-93-1.
• Paul, E. Jaiwant. Baji Rao - The Warrior Peshwa, India: Roli Books Pvt Ltd, 184pp, ISBN 81-7436-129-4.
• Dighe, V.G. Peshwa Bajirao I and the Maratha Expansion, 1944
• The Marathi historical novel "Rau" (1972) by historical novelist N. S. Inamdar also deals with the story of Bajirao and Mastani and the later part of Bajirao's life. It also tells of the Peshwa's relations with his mother Radhabai, his wife Kashibai, his son Nana Saheb (later Balaji Baji Rao) and his sickly but brilliant brother Chimaji Appa.
• "Mastani" by D. G. Godse
• A History of Marathas - By Grantt Duff (Online book which mentions history from Shahaji Bhonsle till end of Peshwa regime.)

• PRATAP-SURYA "THORALE BAJIRAO PESHWE" by DR. P.V.VARTAK (In MARATHI)
• "Peshwa Pahila Bajirao (Purvardha)" by Prof. S.S.Puranik (in Marathi)
• "Peshwa Pahila Bajirao (Uttarardha)" by Prof. S.S.Puranik (in Marathi)

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Mastani
A painting said to be of Mastani
Born	Bundelkhand
Died	1740
Occupation	Wife of Baji Rao I
Spouse	Baji Rao I
Children	2[1]
Parents	Maharaja Chhatrasal or Nizam of Hyderabad

Mastani (died 1740) was the wife of Peshwa Baji Rao I (1699–1740), an Indian general and prime minister to the fourth Maratha Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shahuji. She is said to have been a beautiful and brave woman.^[2]

Biography[link]

Mastani was a daughter of a Hindu, Maharaja Chhatrasal (1649–1731), of Bundelkhand province,^[3] and was borne by his Persian Moslem wife. When a Mughal chief from Allahabad, Mohammad Khan Bangash, invaded Chhattrasal’s kingdom during 1727-28 and imprisoned him and his family, Chhattrasal sent a secret message, seeking help, to Baji Rao, who happened to be on a military campaign in the vicinity of Bundelkhand. Bajirao came to the rescue of Chhatrasal, defeated Bangash's army, and restored Chhatrasal to his throne. In gratitude, Chattrasal gave Bajirao his daughter Mastani, and also a third of his kingdom, including Jhansi, Sagar and Kalpi. He also gave 33 lakh gold coins to Bajirao.

However sources vary on this context. According to the second view she was daughter of Nizam of Hyderbad, Maratha who have defeated Nizam in 1734 was advised by his wife to marry his daughter to Peshwa to foster friendly relations with the Marathas who had become the most dominant power in India and in the Indian Subcontinent.^[4]

The third origin of Mastani is said to be that she was a dancer in Nizam Court and after Nizam accepted the defeated during the meeting of Peshwa with Nizam he fell in love with Mastani and married her which was condemned by Brahmins and other Hindus as Baji Rao was an upper caste Brahmin.^[4]

However the most accepted version is that she was daughter of Chatrasal with his Persian Moslem wife. Mastani is often referred to as Bajirao's concubine or mistress. However, she was his lawfully wedded wife.

Mastani gave the Peshwa two sons, on whom their father bestowed the jagir of Banda. The two brothers fought on the side of the Marathas in the third Battle of Panipat in a.d. 1761 between Ahmed Shah Abdali and the Marathas and one of them is said to have been killed in the battle.^[1]

Mastani was a skilled horse-rider, and she accompanied Baji Rao on his military campaigns. According to legends, she was skilled in spear-throwing and swordsmanship. She was also a talented dancer and singer. Both Mastani and Baji Rao's wife, Kashibai, bore sons to Baji Rao within a few months of each other. Kashibai's child died at an early age. Mastani's child was named Shamsher Bahadur.

However, Baji Rao's love for his half-Moslem wife Mastani, and neglect of Kashibai angered his mother, Radhabai. In deference to Radhabai, Baji Rao's brother, Chimnaji Appa, tried to send Mastani into exile. Baji Rao's son, Balaji, also tried to coerce Mastani into leaving his father, but she refused. Enraged by her growing influence on Baji Rao, and Baji Rao's neglect of Kashibai, Balaji had Mastani placed under house arrest for a time, while Baji Rao was on military campaign.

The palace at Kothrud was dismantled and parts of this are displayed at a special section of Raja Kelkar Museum.^[2][3]

Mastani lived for some time with Baji Rao at his palace of Shaniwar Wada in the city of Pune. The palace's north-east corner held Mastani Mahal and had its own external doorway called Mastani darwaza. Because of his family's intolerance of Mastani, Baji Rao later built a separate residence for Mastani at Kothrud in 1734,^[3] some distance away from Shaniwar Wada. The site still exists at the Mrutyunjay temple on Karve road. Court records (Bakhars) during Bajirao's regime specifically never included any reference to her.^{[citation needed]} Historians have determined that the paintings of Mastani in both Raja Kelkar museum and Wai museum are not authentic.^{[citation needed]}

Death[link]

In April 1740, while Baji Rao was inspecting his lands at Khargon, he suddenly became ill and died. Baji Rao's wife Kashibai, his brother Chimnaji Appa, his son Balaji (Nanasaheb), and Mastani came to Khargon. Bajirao's mortal remains were consigned to flames on 28 April 1740, at Raver Khed on the banks of the Narmada River. Mastani died at Pabal Village near Pune, soon afterwards.

Cause of death[link]

According to popular folklore, Mastani committed suicide after hearing about Bajirao's death, by drinking poison from a ring which she was wearing. Others say that she jumped into the funeral pyre of her husband and committed sati. No documentation is available to confirm the actual cause. However it is accepted that she did not live long after Bajirao's demise and died in 1740.^[5]

Mastani's grave[link]

Her grave is in Pabal. It is called Mastani's Samadhi and is maintained by Mr. Inamdar.^[6]

Kashibai took Mastani's six-year-old son Shamsher Bahadur (also named as Krushnarao) into her household and raised him as one of her own.

Mastani in popular culture[link]

This section requires expansion.

1. The story of Baji Rao and Mastani was made into a motion picture, Mastani, directed by Dhirubhai Desai, and released in 1955.^[7]
2. Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced in 2003 that he wanted to make a film titled "Bajirao Mastani", but he has indefinitely postponed the project.^{[citation needed]}. Towards the end of 2011, there are unconfirmed reports about Sanjay approaching #Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the role of Mastani and #Shahrukh Khan for the role of Bajirao.
3. A Marathi serial, "Rau", was produced in the 1990s, based on a Marathi book of the same name by historical novelist N. S. Inamdar about the life story of Baji Rao and Mastani.
4. Currently a daily serial is being broadcast on ETV Marathi by the name, Shrimant Peshwa Bajirao Mastani.^[8]

Local lore in Pune believes that while in Pune, Mastani used to go for her bath to a lake (created by Bajirao specially for Mastani on Pune - Saswad Road) with her entourage. That lake still exists there.

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Godse, D. G. Mastānī, Pôpyulara Prakāśana, 1989 (Marathi)
• Anne Feldhaus. Images of women in Maharashtrian society. SUNY Press (1998), p. 70.
• Stewart Gordon. The New Cambridge History of India vol. 2 part 4: The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press (1993),p. 130.