The Peshwa was a specific term that was generally used in the Maratha Administration. The Peshwa was the Chief Minister of the later Maratha Empire.
He was also considered as the Mukhya Pradhan of the whole empire. In the Maratha Confederacy, the post of Peshwa was the second highest office after Chhatrapati. The Peshwas were directly appointed by the Chhatrapati.
Originally, General Baji Rao I was the founder of the Peshwa Dynasty and was the son of Balaji Vishwanath Rao. After the death of his father, the Peshwa post became inherited. The Peshwa was that particular post where he usually helped the Chhatrapati in different administrative as well as political affairs.
In this article, we are going to discuss the post of Peshwa and their roles in shaping the great Maratha Empire after Shivaji between 1713 and 1818 in detail.
Let’s start.
Table of Content
The Peshwa (1713 – 1818) – Overview
Peshwas were the most important officials of the later Maratha kingdom. He was in charge of both civil and military affairs of the later Martha period. The Peshwas emerged as the most significant figure in the kingdom after the death of Shivaji. They handled so many civil wars in the royal family. These people were the Chitapavan Brahmans from the Konkan region. Here is the overview table of the Peshwas from 1713 to 1818 as mentioned below.
|
Peshwa Name |
Reign Began (AD) |
Reign Ended (AD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Balaji Vishwanath |
1713 |
1720 |
|
Baji Rao I |
1720 |
1740 |
|
Balaji Bajirao |
1740 |
1761 |
|
Madhav-Rao I |
1761 |
1772 |
|
Narayan-Rao |
1772 |
1773 |
|
Raghunath-Rao |
1773 |
1774 |
|
Madhav-Rao II |
1774 |
1795 |
|
Baji Rao II |
1796 , 1803 |
1802, 1818 |
|
Nana Sahib |
1851 |
1857 |
Read More: Maratha Kingdom
The Peshwas – Background
Here is the general background of the Peshwas as mentioned below. This background will give you how they emerged as the supreme leader of the later Maratha Empire.
- The Peshwas helped some important leaders like the Shindes, Holkars, Gaikwads, and Bhosles to set up their own areas to rule.
- They were like the head of a region or mini king but still they were under control of the Peshwas.
- An “arrangement” took place in Satara between the peshwas and the chhatrapatis. Specifically, it happened between the Shahu and his successors.
- Even though the Peshwas lived in Pune but they showed respect to the Chhatrapati when they visited Satara.
- Before entering the capital of the Chhatrapati, the peshwa always halts his troops and walked to the chhatrapati’s palace.
- In the chhatrapati’s courtroom, they sat on an ordinary low baithak.
- The Peshwas could give titles and land to leaders but they needed the chhatrapati’s approval.
- The important papers had to be explained to the chhatrapati before they became official.
Major Peshwas – Later Maratha Empire
Balaji Vishwanath Bhatt, Baji Rao I, and Balaji Baji Rao I aka Nana Sahib I are considered as the major Peshwas of the later Maratha Empire. At their time, the Maratha Empire became the major and unconquerable kingdom in India. Here we are going to discuss them.
|
Peshwas Name |
Major Contributions |
|---|---|
|
Balaji Vishwanath Bhatt (1713 – 1719) |
Balaji Vishwanath Bhatt supported Sahuji in the civil war during a disturbing time in the royal family. Balaji made the post of Peshwa as the most important and influential position in the Maratha Kingdom under the Chhatrapati. As a ruler, he also included the hereditary into the Peshwa post. He also helped the Sayyid brothers to fight against Farrukhsiyar. He attained the system of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi rights from the later Mughal rulers. |
|
Baji Rao I (1720 – 1740) |
He became Peshwa after his father at the age of 20. He was the only Peshwa who did not lose any battle in his whole life. He defeated the Nizam-ul-Mulk two times in two locations including Palkhed and Bhopal. He captured the Salsette and Bassein from the Portuguese in the year 1722. He transferred his whole administrative system and capital from Satara to Pune. The Maratha confederacy system was started in his tenure. In this particular system, the Chatrapati issues letters of authority to his various Maratha sardars. The Maratha Sardars collect the taxes like Chauth or Sardeshmukhi from the different parts of the kingdom. |
|
Nana Sahib I (1740 – 1761) |
During his tenure the King Sahuji died in the year of 1749. The position of the Peshwa became supreme post after Sahuji under his time. The borders of the Maratha Empire was expanded to Peshawar, Srirangapattanam, and Medinipore in present-day West Bengal under his rule. During the third battle of Panipat, he fought bravely. In this battle Marathas were defeated. |
Read More: Baji Rao I (1700 – 1740): Biography, History, Real
Later Peshwas – Later Maratha Empire
Now, we are going to discuss about some Peshwas who ruled the Maratha Empire for later times as mentioned below:
|
Later Peshwas |
Contributions |
|---|---|
|
Madhav Rao (1761 – 1772) |
He was the cause of the resurrection of the whole Maratha Empire after the defeat in the third battle of Panipat. As a Peshwa, he defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad and later Hyder Ali. He had so many differences in decisions with his uncle Raghunath Rao which led to a conflict. He was considered the last powerful Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. |
|
Raghunath Rao (1773 – 1774) |
He started a conspiracy against the successor of Peshwa Madhav Rao. He killed Narayan Rao in an assassination. He captured the throne of Peshwa. After sometimes he was overthrown by the future Emperor. |
|
Sawai Madhav Rao (1774 – 1795) |
He was the son of Peshwa Madhav Rao. Nana Phadnavis managed the Empire during his time for sometime with the help of the Barbhai council. |
|
Baji Rao II (1796 – 1818) |
He is considered as the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. He signed the Treaty of Bassein as a Peshwa with the British EIC. He was defeated by the British EIC in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. After the war, the Peshwa territories and the whole Maratha Empire were annexed into the British Empire. He was pensioned off by the Britishers. His adopted son Nana Sahib (Original Name Dhondu Pant) played a major role in the 1857 rebellion. |
Administration Under Peshwas
Here we are going to discuss the administration under the Peshwas. Let us discuss:
- The central ministry of the Peshwas was known as the Huzur office. It was located in Poona.
- The provinces under the Peshwas varied.
- The larger provinces of the later Maratha period were under the Sar-subadars.
- Mamlatdar and Kamavistar were the major district representatives under the Peshwa.
- Deshmukh and Deshpande were the major account officers of the Districts of the Maratha Empire.
- Kotwal was the chief security officer in the city.
- Patel was the chief village officer. He holds this post by heredity.
- Kotwal was assisted by the Kulkarni. They keep the records.
- They started the taxation process in farming. Which land was settled against a stipulated amount to be paid an annual amount to the government.
Military Organisation – Under Peshwas
The military organization was the backbone of the Maratha Empire. After the death of Shivaji, the military organization has changed a lot. Here are some of them as mentioned below:
- The entire country was divided into military tenures under Peshwas. They all relied more on the feudal levies.
- There are two kinds of armies under the Peshwas: A. Army of Peshwa, and B. Army of Maratha Sardars.
- Pindaris were the robbers and plunderers. They were also allowed to join the Maratha army.
- They used to get the right to collect Palpatti.
- Under Peshwas military started a system of getting paid in jagirs.
- Peshwas tried to maintain disciplined battalions on European lines that are known as Kampus.
- The Peshwas established a different artillery department.
- They had their factories to manufacture cannons and cannon balls.
- Peshwas also maintained their elite and private cavalry.
- Peshwas recruited so many men from all religions and different ethnic groups.
Art and Culture Under Peshwas
The Maratha empire was advanced in different arts and cultures. Here are some details:
- Many Hindu saints like Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar came up with notable works for Maratha literature.
- The Maratha Peshwas helped to develop new architectures.
- They developed so many forts in their times.
- Marathas contributed to the most famous Deccani school of painting.
- The most famous Ragamala paintings flourished under the Maratha Peshwas.
- Lavani dance form became so popular at this time with Tamasha Marathi folk art.
Conclusion on the Peshwa
Peshwa was second highest office in the Maratha Confederacy. It was the next in rank and prestige only after the Chhatrapati. The British East India Company controlled the eastern part of India and they were trying to capture the northern region of India which were mostly governed by the Marathas. Under General Lake, the English forces beat the Marathas in the “Battle of Delhi” in 1803. Finally, Peshwa Baji Rao II was overthrown by the British EIC during the “Third Anglo-Maratha War”. That’s how the Maratha Empire came to an end.
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FAQs on the Peshwa
Who founded the Peshwa?
Balaji Vishwanath Rao was founded the Peshwa.
How did Bajirao Peshwa died?
Bajirao’s body was exhausted due to ceaseless wars and military campaigns.
Who was the last Peshwa?
Baji Rao II (10 January 1775 – 28 January 1851) was the 13th and the last Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy .
Which Peshwa was murdered?
Narayan Rao, a brother of Madhav Rao Peshwa, was murdered by his uncle, Raghunath Rao.
Who was the 1st Peshwa?
Balaji Viswanath was the first Peshwa. Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa on 16 November 1713.
Is Peshwa a Brahmin?
All Peshwas during the rule of Shivaji, Sambhaji and Rajaram belonged to Deshastha Brahmin community.