The 8th Maratha Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao, also known as Nana Saheb – from August 1740 to June 1761
After the death of 7th Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I in April 1740, Maratha ruler Chattrapati Shahuji I (January 1707 – December 1749) appointed his eldest son Balaji Baji Rao (also known as Nana Saheb) as the 8th Maratha Peshwa in August 1740.
Political Expansion by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao Nana Saheb
Like his father, Balaji Baji Rao too, was young boy of around 19 years when he became the Peshwa. Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao was as able as his illustrious father. He expanded the Maratha rule to as far as Peshwar, in present day Pakistan, to Srirangapatna in the South, and Medinipur in present-day West Bengal. During his Peshwaship, the Maratha territory reached its peak and was the largest empire of the times.
In his twenty-year reign as the Peshwa, Balaji Baji Rao Nana Saheb subdued three major powers under his tenure, viz. Mughals in the North, the Nizam in the South and the Bengal Sultanate in East. Along with that he also weakened the Afghan control over Punjab, stopped their repeated invasions on the imperial capital of Delhi, subdued the Rajputs and Rohillas and neutralized the state of Awadh.
During his tenure, the Chhatrapati i.e. the Maratha ruler became a mere figurehead.
Maratha Confederacy: Confederation is a union of states which are bond with a common cause and share some external responsibilities but are almost independent at home turf. Balaji Baji Rao completed the transformation of Martha kingdom into the Maratha confederacy. The Maratha state was a confederation of Maratha chiefs like
- Bhonsle of Nagpur,
- Gaikwads of Baroda,
- Holkars of Indore and
- Scindias of Gwalior.
They all recognized Maratha king as their overlord and Peshwa as their administrative head. In matters like those of foreign, defense, etc. they were united. However, with respect to internal affairs of their states, they were free to manage and align with the Maratha concepts.
Balaji Baji Rao continued the concept of Hindu Padshahi (Hindu kingship) that his father Baji Rao I had dreamt of. He worked on the same lines. In 1751–52, Balaji Baji Rao campaigned against the Nizam of Hyderabad and made peace with him.
Third Battle of Panipat, 14 January 1761: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between Marathas led by Peshwas and Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani (also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali).
The Marathas were led by the commander Sadashiv Rao Bhau, the cousin of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao and was supported by the Maratha confederacy of
- Holkars of Indore
- Scindia of Gwalior
- Gaekwad of Baroda
The Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani was supported by
- Rohilla chief Najib ad-Dawlah
- Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh
Suraj Mal, the Jat ruler of Bharatpur initially supported the Maratha’s led by Sadashiv Rao Bhau. However, later on before the battle, Jat ruler Suraj Mal withdrew his support.
Marathas lost the battle. Its commander Sadashiv Rao Bhau and Vishwas Rao, the eldest son of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao were killed in the battlefield.
Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao and Family
Balaji Baji Rao married Gopikabai. They had three sons. Vishwas Rao who died in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, Madhav Rao who succeeded Balaji Baji Rao as Peshwa and Narayan Rao who succeeded Madhav Rao in his late teens.
The loss at the Third Battle of Panipat and death of his cousin Sadashiv Rao Bhau and son Vishwas Rao devasted Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. He fell into depression and died on 23 June 1761. He was succeeded by his younger son Madhav Rao I.
Also read the book “Comprehensive History of Modern India”.
Also checkout the Maratha Story by the Capacity Building Commission of India.
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