Gopikabai

Gopikabai (December 20, 1724 in Supa, near Pune, India – August 11, 1778 in Nashik) was the daughter of Bhikaji Naik Raste of Wai, near Pune.

Childhood

Gopikabai was noticed by Radhabai, the Wife of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath during her visit to the Raste family. Radhabai was impressed by Gopikabai's orthodox observance of religious fasting and rituals and selected her to marry Balaji Bajirao (later called Nanasaheb Peshwa), the second son of Baji Rao I. Gopikabai was well versed in priestly religious matters and the prevailing customs followed in priestly Brahmin families.

Orthodox upbringing

Gopikabai faced severe drawbacks in her later life as she was underexposed or never given proper training in handling court administrative or military matters. Her orthodox religious upbringing was thought to be a major cause of her haughty behaviour and narrow-minded outlook. Some of the crueler decisions which Gopikabai took in later life, including severing relations with her second son Madhavrao are traced to her orthodox upbringing. Gopikabai’s religious upbringing left her unable to understand court politics which Shahu and Nanasaheb Peshwa were pursuing.