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Home , Baji Rao II, Balaji Baji Rao, Balaji Vishwanath, Battle of Bhopal, Chanda Sahib, Chauth

The story of and his began well before the reign of . Aurangzeb achieved considerable success in the Deccan in 1689 when Chhatrapati was executed and Shahuji was taken prisoner. The Marathas were defeated but not tamed. The whole people rose in revolt against the Mughal occupation. Ram, the youngest son of carried on the struggle for liberation till his death in 1700 and thereafter Tara Bai and her minor son Shivaji II offered stiff resistance to the Mughals. The weakness of the after Aurangzeb’s death gave the much-needed opportunity to the Maratha people. Shahu was released by Bahadur I in 1707. Thus, the first half of the eighteenth century saw a considerable rise in Maratha influence both in the south and the north. The architect of this success was Peshwa, the prime minister of Chhatrapati. The office of Peshwa came into existence during the times of Shivaji. He was one of his Asthapradhans (Eights Ministers). The Peshwa was the Prime Minister of the state and looked after the general administration. Among Asthapradhans, he was inter primus pares (first among the equals). Early Life of Balaji Vishwanath belonged to the family of Konkanastha Brahmans. His ancestors were revenue collectors () of in Janjira. Balaji’s connections with Angiras, the enemies of the Siddhis of Janjira brought him into trouble and he fled to . However, his knowledge of revenue matters stood him in good stead in seeking employment under Maratha officials. He was appointed the Sabhasad of in 1696. He was later promoted to the post of Sar Subhadar of Pune in 1699. He was later transferred to Daulatabad in 1704. Balaji Vishwanath and Shahuji Shahuji was released by Bahadur Shah I in 1707. Shahuji’s return to the South was a signal for a civil war between the two royal houses of Shahuji and Tara Bai. Tara Bai and her minor son Shivaji II were defeated in the battle of Khed (October 1707). Balaji Vishwanath won over ’s commander-in-chief Dhanaji to Shahuji’s side. Dhanaji died in 1707 and Shahu appointed his son Chandrasen as the new commander-in-chief. Because the new commander had leanings towards Tara Bai, Shahuji tried to balance his power by creating a new post of Senakarte (Organizer of the army) and appointed Balaji Vishwanath to that post. Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa Shahuji was facing serious reverses by the end of 1712. His commander Chandrasen and Kanhoji Angria had gone to the side of Tarabai. Shahuji’s supporter in , Zulfiqar , was murdered on the charges of high treason. At this hour, Balaji came to the rescue of Chhatrapati. He created dissensions in the camp of Tarabai, defeated Chandrasen and won over Kanoji to Shahu’s side. Balaji Vishwanath was appointed Peshwa in 1713 in the place of Bahiroji Pingle and laid the foundation of hereditary Peshwa. Sayyid Brothers and The struggle for the throne at Delhi brought Farruksiyar to power in 1713 and Hussain Ali and Abdullah Khan (Sayyid brothers) as Makers. Soon the Mughal and the Sayyid Brothers became adversaries and in his attempt to get rid of the Sayyid Brothers, Farrukhsiyar transferred Hussain Ali to Deccan in 1715. Abdullah Khan’s position in Delhi became so weak by the end of 1717 that he decided to call his brother from Delhi. The Sayyid Brothers realized that if they had to remain powerful in Deccan, they can’t afford to antagonize the Marathas. Shahuji too was anxious to secure the release of his family. Thus, a treaty was signed between Hussain Ali and Balaji Vishwanath. The terms of which were as follows:  Shahuji would get full possession of Shivaji’s Swaraj.

, Berar, , Karnataka, and were to be ceded to the Marathas.

 The Marathas should be allowed to collect and Sardeshmukhi from the Mughal provinces in Deccan.

 The Chhatrapati would serve the Emperor with a contingent of 15,000 troops and would also maintain peace in the Deccan.

 Shahuji would not harm Sambhaji of .

 Shahuji would pay an annual tribute of Rupees 10,00,000 to the Mughal Emperor.

 The Mughal Emperor would release Shahuji’s mother and other relatives from prison.  The treaty was approved by Rafi-ud- Darazat. The six provinces of Deccan were Khandesh, Bidar, Berar, Golconda, , and Daultabad. Significance of the Mughal-Maratha Treaty Sir Richard Temple has written that the payment of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi was an open acceptance and acknowledgment by the Mughal of their weak position as compared to Marathas in the Deccan. Shahuji came to be recognized as the undisputed leader of the Maratha people and the ambitions of Sambhaji received a rude setback. Estimation of Balaji Vishwanath The last project of Balaji Vishwanath was to march against Sambhaji of Kohlapur who was creating troubles during his absence. Balaji Vishwanath died in April 1720. Balaji Vishwanath is remembered as a shrewd politician and an able statesman. He won over to the side of Shahuji the support of , Dahbade, Parsoji, and Kanhoji Angria. He also secured the financial support of the rich bankers. His treaty with Sayyid Brothers secured the Maratha state rupees 30,00,000 beside regular income from Chauth and Sardeshmukhi (35% of the total revenue). (1720-1740) The Chhatrapati appointed Baji Rao I, the eldest son of Balaji Vishwanath as the Peshwa. Baji Rao was a young man of 19 at that time but he combined the youthful energy with an old head. Early Challenges The challenges before the young Peshwa were really difficult. Nizam-ul-Mulk Chin Qlitch Khan challenged the Maratha position in the south and their right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. A huge part of Maratha territory was under the control of Siddhi of Janjira. Sambhaji II of Kohlapur refused to accept the superior position of Chhatrapati Shahuji. But Baji Rao approached the tasks with firm determination and bold imagination. He proposed to Chhatrapati the policy of aggressive northwards expansion in the following words: Now is our time to drive the strangers from our country and acquire immortal reknown. Let us strike at the trunk of withering tree and the branches will fall off themselves. By directing our efforts to Hindustan, the Maratha flag shall fly from Krishna to . Baji RAO I QUOTED IN A NEW LOOK AT MODERN INDIAN HISTORY BY B.L. GROVER AND ALKA MEHTA Struggle with Nizam Nizam-ul-Mulk Chin Qlitch Khan, who held the office of the governor of Deccan during 1713-1715 and 1720-21 was back again in 1724. Since the Nizam had ambitions to carve out an independent state in Deccan, he looked upon the Marathas with extreme jealousy. But he knew that the Marathas were too strong to be defeated in the battlefield, thus he sought to sow dissensions in their ranks by supporting the cause of Kohlapur against Shahu. The armies of Nizam frightened Shahu to submission but this post position was retrieved by Baji Rao when he defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk in the battle of Palkhed (March 1728). The Nizam accepted the humiliating treaty of Mungi Shivgaon and recognized the claim of Shahuji to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from six provinces of the Deccan, to give up the cause of Kohlapur and release Maratha prisoners. Sambhaji finally accepted the position of a vassal by the treaty of Warna (April 1731). In 1731, Peshwa defeated the Nizam in the battle of Bhilpur. Conquest of , , and The Maratha incursion in Gujarat had begun in 1705 under the command of Khande Rao Dhabade. In the negotiations between Hussain Ali and Balaji Vishwanath, the Peshwa lobbied for the right to collect Chauth from Gujarat but the Mughal Emperor had refused to accept it. But repeated Maratha incursions in Gujarat had paralyzed the Mughal authority there and the Marathas began to collect Chauth from several districts of Gujarat. Mughal Governor of Gujarat Srbuland Khan recognized the Maratha authority to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from Gujarat in March 1730. Importance of Malwa and Gujarat The province of Malwa was a connecting link between Deccan and the northern regions. The military and commercial routes to Gujarat and Deccan passed through Malwa and the armies stationed in Malwa could march into Rajputana as well as Bundelkhand and Deccan. Peshwa Baji Rao Marched into Gujarat and Malwa Maratha forces under Udaji Pawar and Malhar Rao defeated the Mughals in Malwa. Successive Mughal commanders like Sawai Jai Singh and Muhammad Khan Bangash were unable to check the advance of the Marathas. The whole of Malwa went under Maratha control by 1735. Conquest of Bundelkhand The were a clan and they ruled over the mountainous region east of Malwa between Jamuna and Narmada. At the time of Maratha incursion, Bundelkhand was included in the Subah of Gujarat. The Mughal commander Muhammad Khan Bangash had invaded Bundelkhand and captured Jaitpur. He defeated , the leader and compelled him to seek Maratha help. A Maratha military force reached Bundelkhand in October 1728 and all the lost territories were retrieved from the Mughals. Chhatrasal honored Peshwa Baji Rao I in an open darbar and gifted Kalpi, Saugar, , and Hirdenagar as Jagir to Peshwa. Raid on Delhi During the Maratha campaign in Bundelkhand, a contingent of troops under the command of crossed Jamuna and marched into Awadh. But Maratha cavalry had to retreat because of the superior troops of Saadat Khan. Saadat Khan sent exaggerated reports of his success against the Marathas. The Peshwa decided to expose the hollowness of his claim by marching straight into Delhi. A dashed into Delhi on 29th March 1737 and terrorized the Mughal Emperor. Now, the Nizam of Deccan came forward as the defender of the Empire. A made a desperate bid to save the Mughal authority and thus save his claims in Deccan. But the Nizam was defeated in the battle of (December 1737) and had to sign the treaty of Duraha-Sarai (January 1738). The Nizam promised the following to Peshwa:

 He promised to surrender the whole of Malwa to the Marathas.

 He gave up his claim over the territories between Chambal and Narmada.  He was forced to pay a war indemnity of Rupees 50,00,000. Estimation of Baji Rao I Baji Rao I made no attempt to reform or mould the political institutions of his state in a way that could benefit his people permanently. The feudal tendencies among the Marathas which had agains raised its head after the death of Shivaji was not only not repressed but he himself became the greatest military feudal of his time. v.g. dighe (Peshwa Baji Rao i and the Maratha expansion If Sir Robert Walpole created the unchallengeable position of the Prime Minister in the unwritten constitution of England, Baji Rao I created the same institution in the Maratha Raj, at the same time. J.N. SARKAR (shivaji and his times) Peshwa (1740-1761) When Baji Rao died in 1740, his eldest son Balaji Baji Rao was the next nominee of Chattrapati Shahuji for the position of Peshwa. Under Balaji Vishwanath and his son Baji Rao, the supreme authority had passed into the hands of Peshwa eclipsing the authority of Chattrapati. Sangola Agreement of 1750 completed the process of transfer of real authority from Chhatrapati to Peshwa. Thus, Chhatrapati became a roi faineant while the Peshwa emerged as the real head of the Maratha confederation. During the reign of Balaji Baji Rao, the Maratha warlord ruled over extensive territories which lay interspersed throughout the Subcontinent. The Maratha armies penetrated into East Bengal and Karnataka. They humbled the Nizam of Deccan and captured territories from the ruler of Mysore. In the struggle for power at the Delhi court, the Maratha ministers played a decisive role while Maratha cavalry quenched its thirst in the water of the Indus. Consolidation of Power in Malwa and Bundelkhand Malwa and Gujarat had been overrun by Peshwa Baji Rao but the Maratha control over those territories was far from complete. The friendly intercession of Sawai Jai Singh with the Mughal Emperor Rangila resulted in the issuance of the royal Farman of July 1741 which made Ahmad as the governor of Malwa and the Peshwa his second in command. Peshwa in return agreed to assist the Emperor with 4000 cavalries in the times of need. Since Baji Rao’s invasion of Bundelkhand in 1729, the Maratha authority had not made much headway in the region. The Bundela chiefs of Datia, Jaitpur, Kalinjar, and Panna opposed Maratha control. A Maratha force defeated the Bundela chief of Orcha and occupied Jhansi in 1742. Expansion in East and South The Maratha ruler of Tanjore was harassed by Dost Ali, the governor of Karnataka. Raghuji sent an expedition and killed Dost Ali in a hotly contested battle. Thereafter, Raghuji Bhonsle successfully conducted the siege of Trichnoopoly where Dost Ali’s son-in- law Chanda was taking refuge. was arrested and was imprisoned in . Raghuji Bhonsle then turned towards East and began to demand Chauth from the governors of Bengal, , and Orissa. He sent his revenue minister Bhaskar Pant to enforce his demand. trapped the revenue minister and had his executed in 1774. Raghuji Bhonsle marched into Bengal and laid it a waste to fire and sword. Alivardi Khan agreed to surrender Orissa and pay the annual payment of rupees 12,00,000 as Chauth of Bengal and Bihar. Struggle with Nizam Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jha died in 1748. The war of succession that followed among Nizam’s sons gave an opportunity to the Marathas to capture Khandesh and Berar. The new Nizam Salabat Jung hired French artillerymen to fight on his behalf. But he was eventually forced to surrender the western half of Berar, Khandesh, and Baglana under the terms of the treaty of Bhalki. The outbreak of seven years’ war in Europe and the absence of Bussy from gave the Peshwa an opportunity to demand from Nizam all the regions north of Godavari. Peshwa defeated Nizam in the battle of Sindhkhed (December 1757) and the Battle of Udagir (January 1760). The Marathas acquired Ahmadnagar, Daultabad, , and Bijapur. Expansion in Punjab and Delhi The weakness of the Mughal Emperor at Delhi had encouraged separatist tendencies in all parts of the Empire. Ruhela and Pathan chiefs were conspiring to set up a Pathan kingdom in Delhi with the help of . The court intrigues and the invasions of Ahmad Shah Durrani gave Marathas a chance to intervene in the Mughal politics at Delhi. Terrified by the Afghan invasion of 1751, Safdar Jung signed an agreement with the Marathas in April 1752 and agreed to pay them rupees 50,00,000 for protecting the Empire and recognized their right to collect Chauth from Punjab, Sind, and Doab. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India in January 1757. A Maratha army from Poona was sent under the command of Raghunath Rao and Malhar Rao Holkar. However, Abdali returned in March 1758. Raghunath reinstated the Emperor on the throne established the Maratha supremacy from Satluj to Banaras. It was a direct challenge to Ahmad Shah Durrani. Ahmad Shah Abdali returned in 1759. Marathas under Dattaji Scindhia and Malhar Rao Holkar tried to check his advance but Dattaji Scindhia was killed on the banks of Jamuna. Another army was sent under the command of Sadashiv Bhau. The two armies met at the field of Panipat in January 1761 but Marathas lost the day and suffered heavy casualties. Estimation of Balaji Baji Rai Though not equal to his father and grandfather as a soldier or a politician, Balaji Baji Rao was gifted with qualities of leadership. He took advantage of the favorable times and the momentum given to Maratha expansion during Baji Rao I. Balaji Baji Rao is still remembered by the people of for his humane and benign administration. The administration of justice was improved. The revenue administration became flawless. Peshwa kept a police force at Poona and the Panchayats were made more workable. Madhavrao I (1761-1772) Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao had two sons, Madhav Rao and and one brother Raghunath Rao. Madhav Rao was 16 years old at the time of death of his father and became Peshwa. He possessed a mature judgment, high spirit and the talent of both a soldier and a statesman. Madhav Rao and Raghunath Rao There emerged friction between Madhav Rao and Raghunath Rao which developed into an open rupture. Raghunath demanded half the share of the Maratha dominion. He was arrested and was confined in his palace at Poona. Military Operations Madhav Rao had to spend the best part of his reign in capturing his former territories and exacting complete submission from . The Peshwa also defeated Bhonsle of . The treaty of Kankapur (1769) with the Bhonsle is considered as a masterstroke of Peshwa’s valor and capacity in organizing the united power of the Maratha state. Mahadji Scindhia was one of the four commanders who were sent to Delhi to reclaim the Maratha supremacy. They restored the Mughal Emperor to the throne, humbled the and carried out all their commitments promised to the Emperor under the treaty of 1752. Reforms in Administration The Peshwa improved the moral tone of the administration. corruption was put down with heavy hand and the revenue system was reformed in the interest of the people. The judiciary began to work effectively under Ram Shastri. The system of veth (exaction of forced labor) from the lower classes was abolished. a mere reference to a large number of great personalities proves that Peshwa had brought into existence a large number of honest and capable officers. Some of them were Ram Shastri, Govind Shivram, Tatya, Naro Appaji, Mahadji Ballal Guruji, Trimbak Rao Pethe, Ram Chandra Ganesh, Nana Phadnavis and Haripant Phadke. Although the military talents of Madhav Rao were very considerable, his character as a sovereign is entitled to far higher praise and to much greater respect than that of any of his predecessors. He is deservedly celebrated for his firm support of the weak against the oppressive, of the poor against the rich and as far as the constitution of society admitted, for his equity to all. AUGUSTUS KINCADE (A HISTORY OF THE MARATHA PEOPLE) Peshwa Narayan Rao (1772) Madhav Rao was succeeded by his younger brother, Narayan Rao. His uncle Raghunath Rao, who was still in prison, tried to escape. A conspiracy was hatched to make Raghunath Rao the Peshwa and put Narayan Rao in prison. However, Narayan Rao was assassinated and Raghunath Rao became the Peshwa. There was a lot of anger against the cruel assassination and the inquiry held by Ram Shastri proved that Raghunath Rao was the prime conspirator behind the murder. Thus, the responsible ministers formed a council called Twelve Brothers (Bara Bhaiya) and the son of Narayan Rao was appointed the new Peshwa. Madhav Narayan Rao (1774-1795) Sawai Madhavrao, also known as Madhav Narayan Rao was declared the new Peshwa and Raghunath Rao had to escape to save his life. Madhav Narayan Rao ruled for 21 years and died in 1795. Raghunath Rao sought the help of the English and was instrumental in bringing the first Anglo Maratha War. The war ended with the in 1782. Raghunath Rao was forced to give up all claims to the Peshwaship and was awarded a pension. During the first Anglo Maratha War, Mahadji Schindhia and Nana Phadnavis distinguished themselves. A Maratha army defeated Nizam in the battle of in 1795. Peshwa Baji Rao II (1796-1818) When Madhav Rao II died in 1795, there was a lot of confusion in the Maratha politics. Nana Phadnavis was in the favor of making Chimanji Appa the new Peshwa but later on, he changed his mind and began to support Baji Rao II. Baji Rai II was the son of Raghunath Rao. Baji Rao II had no training or competence for the post to which he was appointed. Nana Phadnavis was thrown in jail but was restored to his previous position later on. He died in 1800. It was during his reign that the Second Anglo Maratha war was fought. Baji Rao II entered into the in 1802. The consequence of his action was that the Peshwa went into the control of the East India Company. He began to make efforts to release himself from British control. But the Peshwa was defeated and he surrendered in 1818. Baji Rao II died on 28th January 1851.