The Peshwas were the Prime Ministers of the Maratha Empire, initially serving under Chhatrapati Shivaji’s descendants. Over time, they became the real rulers of the Maratha Empire and expanded its territory across India. The Peshwa rule ended in 1818 after the defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
Basic Information on the Peshwas
- Title: Peshwa (Prime Minister of the Marathas)
- First Peshwa: Balaji Vishwanath (1713)
- Last Peshwa: Baji Rao II (1818)
- Capital: Pune (after 1730)
- Major Achievements: Expanded Maratha rule, defeated Mughals, resisted British expansion
- End of Peshwa Rule: 1818 (British defeated Baji Rao II in the Third Anglo-Maratha War)
List of Important Peshwas and Their Contributions
| Peshwa | Years of Rule | Major Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Balaji Vishwanath | 1713–1720 | Strengthened Maratha administration, secured Mughal recognition of Marathas. |
| Baji Rao I | 1720–1740 | Expanded Maratha rule to North India, undefeated in battle, built Shaniwar Wada. |
| Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) | 1740–1761 | Led Marathas to peak power, but lost the Third Battle of Panipat (1761). |
| Madhav Rao I | 1761–1772 | Revived Maratha power after Panipat, defeated Nizam and Hyder Ali. |
| Narayan Rao | 1772–1773 | Assassinated by his uncle Raghunath Rao. |
| Raghunath Rao (Raghoba) | 1773–1774 | Attempted to seize power, but lost support. |
| Madhav Rao II | 1774–1796 | Puppet ruler, actual control was with ministers. |
| Baji Rao II | 1796–1818 | Weak ruler, lost to the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. |
1. Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720) – The First Peshwa
- Appointed by Chhatrapati Shahu in 1713.
- Helped Marathas secure revenue rights (Chauth & Sardeshmukhi) from the Mughals.
- Negotiated Mughal-Maratha treaties (Treaty of Delhi, 1719).
- Strengthened centralized administration in the Maratha Empire.
2. Baji Rao I (1720–1740) – The Greatest Peshwa
- Son of Balaji Vishwanath and appointed as Peshwa at age 20.
- Never lost a single battle in his military career.
- Expanded the Maratha Empire to Delhi, Malwa, and Gujarat.
- Defeated the Mughals, Nizam of Hyderabad, and Bundelkhand enemies.
- Built Shaniwar Wada (Pune) as the Peshwa headquarters.
- Famous for his love story with Mastani.
Major Battles of Baji Rao I
| Battle | Year | Opponent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of Palkhed | 1728 | Nizam of Hyderabad | Maratha Victory |
| Battle of Bhopal | 1737 | Mughals | Maratha Victory |
| Battle of Vasai | 1739 | Portuguese | Maratha Victory |
3. Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) (1740–1761)
- Son of Baji Rao I, became Peshwa in 1740.
- Expanded Maratha rule to Punjab, Orissa, Bengal.
- Marathas became the dominant power in India.
- Defeated Ahmed Shah Abdali in early battles, but later suffered a major defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
Third Battle of Panipat (1761) – A Major Setback
- Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali (Afghanistan).
- Marathas lost the battle due to lack of food supply and unity.
- Over 100,000 Maratha soldiers were killed.
- End of Maratha expansion in North India.
4. Madhav Rao I (1761–1772) – Revival After Panipat
- Became Peshwa after his father Nana Saheb’s death in 1761.
- Defeated Nizam of Hyderabad and Hyder Ali (Mysore).
- Restored Maratha power in India after Panipat.
- Died young (1772), leading to internal conflicts.
5. Narayan Rao (1772–1773) – Short Rule and Assassination
- Ruled for only 1 year.
- Assassinated by his uncle Raghunath Rao (Raghoba) in 1773.
6. Madhav Rao II (1774–1796) – Puppet Peshwa
- Ruled under the control of Maratha chieftains like Mahadji Scindia and Nana Phadnavis.
- Fought British in the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782).
- Treaty of Salbai (1782) secured Maratha dominance.
7. Baji Rao II (1796–1818) – The Last Peshwa
- A weak ruler, manipulated by the British.
- Lost to the British in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars (1802–1818).
- Signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802), which weakened the Marathas.
- Defeated in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1818), ending Peshwa rule.
- Exiled to Bithoor (near Kanpur) by the British.
Peshwa Administration and Governance
1. Centralized Administration
- Peshwas controlled tax collection, military, and justice system.
- Pune became the capital under Baji Rao I.
2. Strong Military System
- Cavalry-based army, used guerrilla tactics like Shivaji.
- Led campaigns in North India, Deccan, and Bengal.
3. Revenue System
- Collected Chauth (25% tax) and Sardeshmukhi (10% tax) from Mughal territories.
- Controlled trade and commerce in Western India.
Anglo-Maratha Wars and Decline of Peshwa Rule
| War | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| First Anglo-Maratha War | 1775–1782 | Maratha Victory (Treaty of Salbai) |
| Second Anglo-Maratha War | 1803–1805 | British Victory, Treaty of Bassein (1802) |
| Third Anglo-Maratha War | 1817–1818 | British Victory, End of Peshwa Rule |
- Baji Rao II surrendered to the British in 1818.
- British abolished the Peshwa title and took control of Maratha territories.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
- Peshwa = Prime Minister of Maratha Empire.
- First Peshwa (1713) = Balaji Vishwanath.
- Greatest Peshwa = Baji Rao I (1720–1740), expanded Maratha power.
- Peak of Marathas = Balaji Baji Rao (1740–1761), but lost Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
- Madhav Rao I revived Maratha power after Panipat.
- Baji Rao II lost to the British in 1818, ending Peshwa rule.
MCQs on Peshwas
1. Who was the first Peshwa of the Marathas?
A) Baji Rao I
B) Balaji Vishwanath
C) Shivaji Maharaj
D) Nana Saheb
✅ Answer: B) Balaji Vishwanath
2. Which Peshwa expanded the Maratha Empire to North India?
A) Madhav Rao I
B) Baji Rao I
C) Baji Rao II
D) Raghunath Rao
✅ Answer: B) Baji Rao I
3. In which battle did the Marathas suffer a huge defeat?
A) Battle of Plassey
B) Third Battle of Panipat
C) Battle of Buxar
D) Battle of Palkhed
✅ Answer: B) Third Battle of Panipat
4. Which Peshwa lost to the British in 1818?
A) Madhav Rao II
B) Raghunath Rao
C) Baji Rao II
D) Nana Phadnavis
✅ Answer: C) Baji Rao II
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