Bajirao I

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Bajirao I (born as Visaji,<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="GSC_2005">Template:Cite book</ref> {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; 18 August 1700 – 28 April 1740) was the 7th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He was appointed Peshwa at the age of nineteen by Shahu I, following the death of his father, Balaji Vishwanath.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He is credited with establishing the Marathas as the supreme power in the Indian subcontinent, displacing Mughal dominance.Template:Refn

In the Deccan region, Nizam of Hyderabad emerged as a major power. The relations between the two states deteriorated after the Marathas under the leadership of Fateh Singh Bhonsle invaded Karnataka in 1725, which came under Nizam's influence. The Nizam alarmed by these incursions decided to contest the Maratha taxation rights in Deccan granted via the Mughal-Maratha treaty of 1718-19 and attacked Pune.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao in response led a campaign against the Nizam in which the latter suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Palkhed. This victory solidified the Marathas’ authority in the Deccan region.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In Bundelkhand, he rescued the Bundela ruler Chhatrasal from a Mughal siege, gaining independence for Bundelkhand. In gratitude, Chhatrasal bestowed one third of his territories to him.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the late 1720s, Bajirao asserted Maratha tax rights in Gujarat. He further defeated rebel Trimbak Rao Dabhade at Dabhoi and integrated the whole province except Ahmedabad into the Maratha state by 1737.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He also engaged in successful diplomatic missions with Rajput rulers, leading to the imposition of chauth on the Kingdoms of Mewar and Jaipur.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Further efforts to establish the Maratha position in the north saw him responsible for The Raid on Delhi (1737), which may be said to mark the high point of his military career.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He officially secured the important territory of Malwa after defeating the combined forces of Mughals, Awadh and Nizam-ul-Mulk in Battle of Bhopal (1737).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He died in 1740 after being struck by a severe fever and was succeeded by his son Balaji Baji Rao.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Bajirao is viewed as a prominent figure in Maratha history.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He is regarded as one of the greatest military generals of his time and is reputed to have never lost a battle.Template:Refn His adventurous life has been picturized in Indian cinema and featured in several novels.<ref name="India Today">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="review">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao had two wives, Kashibai and Mastani. His relationship with Mastani remains a controversial subject, very little is known with certainty about it.<ref name=Mehta05 /><ref name="GSC_2005" />

Early lifeEdit

File:Balaji Vishwanath and his son Bajirao Hunting.png

Bajirao hunting with his father Balaji Vishwanath.

Bajirao was born into the Bhat family in Sinnar, near Nashik. His father Balaji Vishwanath was the Peshwa of Shahu I and his mother was Radhabai Barve.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao had a younger brother, Chimaji Appa, and two younger sisters, Anubai and Bhiubai. Anubai was married to Venkatrao Ghorpade (Joshi) of Ichalkaranji and Bhiubai was married to Abaji Naik Joshi of Baramati who belongs to the Deshastha Brahmin community.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Being born into a Brahmin family, his education included reading, writing, and learning Sanskrit. However, he did not remain confined to his books. Bajirao displayed a passion for the military at an early age and often accompanied his father on military campaigns.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He was with his father when his father was imprisoned by Damaji Thorat before being released for a ransom.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> Bajirao had been on the expedition to Delhi in 1719 with his father and was convinced the Mughal Empire was disintegrating and would be unable to resist northward Maratha expansion.<ref name="Gordon 1993 114">Template:Cite book</ref> When Balaji Vishwanath died in 1720, Shahu appointed the 20-year-old Bajirao as Peshwa despite opposition from other chieftains.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Appearance and Personal lifeEdit

AppearanceEdit

Bajirao grew up into a tall and broad-shouldered man. He was handsome and had a fair complexion.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":9">Template:Cite book</ref> His appearance was commanding and his fame for good looks so widespread, as a Maratha tale goes, that the ladies of Nizam ul Mulk requested their lord, as a special favor, that during his next encounter with the Brahmin minister, they might secretly observe him and witness his refined appearance and classical features. There is also a note that when this famed warrior, whose name had spread across the land for his bravery and triumphs in battle, passed through the towns of Rajputana, both men and women would rush to their windows to catch a glimpse of him.<ref name=":14">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

File:Painting of Bajirao And Mastani.jpg

Peshwa Bajirao with his wife Mastani

Bajirao's first wife was Kashibai, the daughter of Mahadji Krishna Joshi and Bhawanibai of Chas (a wealthy banking family).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao always treated his wife Kashibai with love and respect.<ref name="Mishra" /> Their relationship was healthy and happy.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Mishra">Template:Cite news</ref> They had four sons: Balaji Bajirao (also called Nanasaheb), Ramachandra Rao, Raghunath Rao and Janardhan Rao, who died at an early age.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Nanasaheb was appointed Peshwa by Shahu in 1740, succeeding his father.

Bajirao took Mastani as his wife, the daughter of Rajput king Chhatrasal, born from his Muslim concubine.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The relationship was a political one, arranged to please Chhatrasal.<ref name="Mehta05" /> Accounts, however with regard to her origin vary. Some consider her the daughter of the Nizam, while others refer to her as a courtesan of the court of some Muslim chief.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Nizam on the suggestion of his wife married her to Bajirao to promote diplomatic relations with Marathas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Mastani had a son, Krishna Rao, in 1734. Since his mother was Muslim, Hindu priests refused to conduct the upanayana ceremony and he became known as Shamsher Bahadur.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> After the deaths of Bajirao and Mastani in 1740, Kashibai raised six-year-old Shamsher Bahadur as her own. Shamsher received a portion of his father's dominion of Banda and Kalpi. In 1761, he and his army fought alongside Sadashiv Bhau in the Third Battle of Panipat between the Marathas and the Afghans. Wounded in the battle, Shamsher died several days later in Deeg.<ref name="Chid_1951">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Shamsher had a son Ali Bahadur through his wife Mehrambai. He helped Mahadaji Shinde to restore Maratha rule once again in Northern India.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Bajirao moved his base of operations from Saswad to Pune in 1728, laying the foundation for the transformation of the kasba into a large city.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> He began the construction of Shaniwar Wada on 10 January 1730.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Appointment as PeshwaEdit

File:बाजीराव पेशवे यांच्या राजमुद्रेची प्रतिकृती शनिवारवाडा पुणे.jpg

Replica of Bajirao Peshwa's Seal

Bajirao was appointed Peshwa, succeeding his father, by Shahu on 17 April 1720. By the time of his appointment, the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah had upheld Maratha's claims to the territories held by Shivaji at his death. The Mughal-Maratha Treaty of 1718-1719 gave the Marathas the right to collect taxes (chauth) in the Deccan's six provinces.<ref name="Mehta 492-494">Template:Cite book</ref>

Bajirao convinced Shahu that the Maratha Empire had to go on the offensive against its enemies to defend itself.<ref name="G.S.Chhabra2005">Template:Cite book</ref> He believed the Mughal Empire was in decline and wanted to take advantage of the situation with aggressive expansion into North India. Bajirao compared the Mughals' declining fortune to a tree which, if attacked at its roots, would collapse. He is reported to have said:

Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree and the branches will fall off themselves. Listen but to my counsel and I shall plant the Maratha flag on the walls of Attock.<ref name="Sen2006">Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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As a new Peshwa, however, he faced several challenges.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> Bajirao promoted young men like himself, such as Malhar Rao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, the Pawar brothers and Fateh Singh Bhosle, as commanders; these men did not belong to families who were hereditary Deshmukhs in the Deccan sultanates.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, Asaf Jah I, Nizam of Hyderabad, had created a de facto autonomous kingdom in the region. He challenged Shahu 's right to collect taxes<ref name="SG_1993">Template:Cite book</ref> on the pretext that he did not know whether Shahu or his cousin, Sambhaji II of Kolhapur, was the rightful heir to the Maratha throne.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> The Marathas needed to assert their rights over the nobles of newly acquired territories in Malwa and Gujarat.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> Several nominally-Maratha areas were not actually under the Peshwa's control; for example, the Siddis controlled the Janjira fort.<ref name="GSC_2005" />

Military campaigns and warsEdit

The NizamEdit

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File:Peshwa Bajirao vs Nizam-ul-Mulk movements in Palkhed Campaign.png

Troop movements of Bajirao I and Asaf Jah I (Nizam-ul-Mulk) in the Battle of Palkhed

At the outset of Bajirao's Peshwa rule, the Mughal nobles, led by Nizam-ul-Mulk, rebelled against the Sayyid Brothers. To quell the uprising, the Sayyid brothers sought assistance from the Marathas. They did receive some level of support from individual Maratha chiefs against the orders of Shahu and Bajirao at Balapur (1720).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Nizam following his victory over the Sayyid Brothers decided to contest the Maratha claims of chauth. However, his forces were defeated by the Marathas near Godavri in December 1720.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Afterwards on 4 January 1721, Bajirao met Nizam of Hyderabad at Chikhalthana to resolve their disputes. However, the Nizam refused to recognize the Maratha right to collect taxes from the Deccan provinces.<ref name="GSC_2005" />

The Nizam was made vizier of the Mughal Empire in 1721 by emperor Muhammad Shah, who, alarmed at his increasing power, transferred him from the Deccan to Awadh in 1723. The Nizam rebelled against the order, resigned as vizier and marched towards the Deccan. The emperor sent an army against him, which the Nizam defeated at the Battle of Sakhar-Kheda; this forced the emperor to recognize him as viceroy of the Deccan. The Marathas, led by Bajirao, helped the Nizam win this battle. For his valor, Bajirao was honored with a robe, a 7,000-man mansabdari, an elephant, and a jewel. After the battle, the Nizam tried to appease the Maratha Chhatrapati Shahu and the Mughal emperor; in reality, however, he wanted to carve out a sovereign kingdom and considered the Marathas his rivals in the Deccan.<ref name="PVK_1987">Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1725, the Nizam sent an army to clear Maratha revenue collectors from the Carnatic region. The Marathas dispatched a force under Fateh Singh Bhosle to counter him; Bajirao accompanied Bhosle. According to Govind Sakharam Sardesai, Bajirao personally led the campaign under Shahu's command. In contrast, Stewart Gordon's account suggests that Bajirao was present during the campaign but did not assume command. The local rulers supported by Nizam were defeated by 1727 and offered their submission to Bajirao.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In the Deccan, Sambhaji II of Kolhapur State had become a rival claimant to the title of Maratha King. The Nizam took advantage of the internal dispute, refusing to pay the Chauth because it was unclear who was the real Chhatrapati (Shahu or Sambhaji II) and offering to arbitrate. Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi advised Shahu to begin negotiations and agree to arbitration. Sambhaji II was supported by Chandrasen Jadhav, who had fought Bajirao's father a decade earlier. Bajirao convinced Shahu to refuse the Nizam's offer and instead launch an assault.<ref name="SG_1993" />

The Nizam responded by invading Pune where he installed Sambhaji II as the king. He then marched out of the city, leaving behind a contingent headed by Fazal Beg. The Nizam plundered Loni, Pargaon, Patas, Supa and Baramati, using his artillery.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> On 27 August 1727, Bajirao began a retaliatory guerilla attack on the Nizam with his trusted lieutenants Malhar Rao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde and the Pawar brothers. He began to destroy the towns held by the Nizam; leaving Pune, he crossed the Godavari River near Puntamba and plundered Jalna and Sindkhed. Bajirao destroyed Berar, Mahur, Mangrulpir and Washim before turning north-west to Khandesh. He crossed the Tapi River at Kokarmunda and entered eastern Gujarat, reaching Chota Udaipur in January 1728.

After hearing that the Nizam had returned to Pune, Bajirao feinted toward Burhanpur; he thought that after hearing about the threat to the strategically important Burhanpur, the Nizam would try to save it. Bajirao did not enter Burhanpur, however, arriving at Betawad in Khandesh on 14 February 1728.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> When the Nizam heard that his northern territories had been devastated by Bajirao, he left Pune and marched towards the Godavari to meet Bajirao on an open plain where his artillery would be effective. The Nizam went on ahead of his artillery; on 25 February 1728, the armies of Bajirao and the Nizam faced each other at Palkhed, a town about Template:Convert west of Aurangabad.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Nizam was quickly surrounded by Maratha forces and trapped, his lines of supply and communication were cut. He was forced to make peace; he signed the Treaty of Mungi Shevgaon on 6 March, recognizing Shahu as the King and the Maratha right to collect taxes in the Deccan.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

This event is considered as an example of brilliant execution of military strategy.<ref name="Mehta05">Template:Cite book</ref> In his Military History of India, Jadunath Sarkar wrote: "This campaign gives a classic example of what the predatory horse, when led by a genius, could achieve in the age of light artillery."<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref>

BundelkhandEdit

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In Bundelkhand, Chhatrasal rebelled against the Mughal Empire and established an independent kingdom. In December 1728, a Mughal force led by Muhammad Khan Bangash attacked him and besieged his fort and family.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Although Chhatrasal repeatedly sought Bajirao's assistance, he was busy in Malwa at the time.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He compared his dire situation to that of Gajendra Moksha. In his letter to Bajirao, Chhatrasal wrote the following words:

Know you, that I am in the same sad plight in which the famous elephant was when caught by the crocodile. My valiant race is on point of extinction. Come and save my honour, O Baji Rao.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }} In March 1729, the Peshwa responded to Chhatrasal's request and marched towards Bundelkhand with 25,000 horsemen and his lieutenants Pilaji Jadhav, Tukoji Pawar, Naro Shankar, and Davalji Somwanshi. Bangash was later forced to leave, signing an agreement that "he would never attack Bundelkhand again".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Chhatrasal's position as ruler of Bundelkhand was restored. He granted a large jagir to Bajirao and gave him his daughter Mastani. Before Chhatrasal's death in December 1731, he ceded one-third of his territories to the Marathas.<ref name="GSC_2005" />

The PortugueseEdit

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Bajirao was drawn into the conflict due to the Maratha chief Kanhoji's plea for help against the Portuguese.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The religious intolerance of Portuguese added to the friction between them and the Peshwa.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The negotiations soon failed and Bajirao dispatched 40,000 Maratha cavalry under Pilaji Jadhav to attack the Portuguese.<ref name=":10">Template:Cite book</ref> Consequently, a peace treaty was signed between the two powers. However, the Portuguese later refused to send a representative to Satara due to the demand for sardeshmukhi (a fixed tribute) from their areas which led to increased tensions with the Peshwa.<ref name=":10" />

Despite the treaty, occasional raids were continued by the Marathas in the Portuguese territories. This forced the Portuguese General Francisco da Guerra de Mesquita to raid the Maratha territories in retaliation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Marathas saw this as a breach of treaty and invaded the Portuguese areas around Bassein.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This resulted in the Luso Maratha War of 1729-1732. Marathas could not take advantage of their numerical strength due to lack of coordination within their armies. The Portuguese effectively utilized the English support and further appealed to Mughals for help.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The conflict ultimately ended in 1732 with the Treaty of Bombay. The Marathas according to the treaty withdrew from Portuguese territory.<ref name="Lobato">Template:Cite book</ref>

Nevertheless, Bajirao planned to resume hostilities against the Portuguese with an attack on Salcette Island on 13 March 1733.<ref>Template:Cite thesis</ref> The hostilities continued but no major expedition was sent by the Marathas as the Peshwa was busy dealing the Siddi threat.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Once it was over, Bajirao sent a major expedition under his brother Chimaji Appa to invade Bassein.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Marathas were largely successful in their campaign and after two failed attempts successfully captured the fort of Bassein in 1739.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This was a major achievement for Bajirao during his tenure as Peshwa.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

GujaratEdit

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After consolidating Maratha influence in central India, Bajirao decided to assert the Maratha right to collect taxes from the wealthy province of Gujarat and sent a Maratha force under Chimaji Appa there in 1730. Sarbuland Khan, the province's Mughal governor, ceded the right to collect chauth to the Marathas. He was soon replaced by Abhay Singh, who also recognized the Maratha right to collect taxes. As a result, the Peshwa claimed half share of the territory.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This irked Shahu's senapati (commander-in-chief), Trimbak Rao Dabhade, whose ancestors had raided Gujarat several times and asserted their right to collect taxes from the province. Annoyed at Bajirao's control of what he considered his family's sphere of influence, he rebelled against the Peshwa.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Two other Maratha nobles from Gujarat, Damaji Rao Gaekwad and Kadam Bande, also sided with Dabhade.<ref name="SG_1993" /> Trimbak Rao also formed an alliance with Bangash and Nizam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In response to Dabhade's alliance with the Nizam, Bajirao marched into Gujarat. Meanwhile, Bajirao learned that Dabhade and Gaikwad had made preparations for an open fight on the plain of Dabhoi with a force of 40 thousand, while Bajirao's numbers barely reached 25 thousand in all. Bajirao repeatedly sent messages to Dabhade to solve the dispute amicably in the presence of Shahu.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> When the negotiations failed, a battle ensued in which Trimbak Rao Dabhade's forces were routed by Bajirao at Dabhoi.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Nizam after his failed attempt met Bajirao at Rohe-Rameshwar on 27 December 1732 and promised not to interfere with Maratha expeditions.<ref name="GSC_2005" />

Shahu and Bajirao avoided a rivalry with the powerful Dabhade clan after subduing Trimbak Rao; Trimbak's son, Yashwant Rao, was appointed as Shahu's senapati. The Dabhade clan were allowed to continue collecting chauth from Gujarat if they deposited half the revenue in Shahu's treasury.<ref name="GSC_2005" />

RajputanaEdit

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File:Painting of Malhar Rao Holkar (alt. spelt as 'Malharrao Holkar) and Peshwa Bajirao I seated together, circa 18th century.jpg

Bajirao and Malhar Rao Holkar c.18th century

The Maratha commanders forced the Mughal governors Jai Singh and Abhay Singh to pay the chauth for Malwa and Gujarat by 1732.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Seeing these encroachments on Mughal territories, Rajputs and Mughals made a joint expedition against the Marathas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They amassed huge forces numbering nearly 2 lakhs to expel the Marathas from Malwa and Rajasthan.<ref name=":11">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":12">Template:Cite book</ref> The Mughal armies were divided into two with vizier Qamar-ud Din Khan heading from east via Ajmer and Mir Bakshi Khan-i-Dauran leading the faction from the west.<ref name=":13">Template:Cite book</ref>

Learning of the expedition, Maratha chiefs Ranoji Shinde, Malhar Rao Holkar and Pawar brothers marched into north with a much smaller force. Bajirao also dispatched his son Balaji along with Pilaji Jadhav towards Bundelkhand to halt the advance of vizier.<ref name=":11" /> Pilaji defeated the Mughal Vizier Qamar-ud Din Khan at Narwar. Scindia's armies also managed to check the advance of Khan-i-Dauran at Rampura.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Meanwhile, the Maratha armies under Holkar plundered Rajasthan.<ref name=":13" /> Ultimately after a costly campaign, Mughals compromised for peace and agreed to pay an annual chauth of 22 lakhs to the Marathas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":12" /> The Mughal emperor was not happy with these developments, and it led to increase in anti-Maratha voices at the Mughal court.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Following this triumph, the Peshwa with Shahu's consent began a northward journey on 9 October 1735. Accompanied by his wife, Kashibai,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> he intended to befriend Rajput courts and persuade them to pay chauth for their domains as well. Bajirao arrived at Mewar's southern frontier in January 1736, where Rana Jagat Singh II had made arrangements for his visit.<ref name="sarkar162">Template:Cite book</ref> Diplomatic talks got underway and Maharana agreed to pay a lakh and half annually as chauth.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao also visited Jagmandir Palace, in the centre of Pichola Lake at Rana Jagat Singh's invitation, and then left for Nath-Dwara.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

After resolving matters in Mewar, Bajirao advanced towards Jaipur. Sawai Jai Singh hastened south with his forces, and they met in Bhambholao (near Kishangarh).<ref name="sarkar162" /> Their meeting lasted for several days, with talks about Chauth and the cession of Malwa from the Mughal Emperor. To maintain peace, Jai Singh offered an annual payment of 5 lakh rupees as chauth for Jaipur and promised to secure imperial grants for the provinces of Malwa and Gujarat.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao then returned to the Deccan. The emperor did not agree to his demands, however, and he planned to march on Delhi to force him to agree.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

SiddisEdit

The Siddis of Janjira controlled a small, strategically important territory on India's west coast. Although they originally held only the Janjira fort, after Shivaji's death they expanded their rule to a large part of central and northern Konkan.<ref name="SG_1993" /> After the death of Siddi chief Yakut Khan in 1733, a war of succession broke out among his sons; one, Abdul Rehman, asked Bajirao for help. Bajirao sent a Maratha force led by Sekhoji Angre, son of Kanhoji Angre. The Marathas regained control of several portions of the Konkan, and besieged Janjira. Their strength was diverted after Peshwa's rival, Pant Pratinidhi, occupied Raigad Fort (near Janjira) in June 1733. Sekhoji Angre died in August (further weakening the Maratha position), and Bajirao signed a peace treaty with the Siddis.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He allowed the Siddis to retain control of Janjira if they accepted Abdul Rehman as the ruler; they were also allowed to retain control of Anjanvel, Gowalkot and Underi. The Marathas retained Raigad, Rewas, Thal and Chaul.<ref name="GSC_2005" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Siddis launched an offensive to regain their lost territories soon after the Peshwa returned to Satara, then Bajirao dispatched a force to prevent them from taking over Raigad Fort in June 1734.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Chimnaji made a surprise attack on a Siddi camp near Rewas on 19 April 1736, killing about 1,500 (including their leader, Siddi Sat).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In June 1736, Bajirao dispatched a force under Yesaji Gaikwad, Dhanaji Thorat and Sidoji Barge to gain the control territories like Gowalkot. On 25 September of that year, the Siddis signed a peace treaty which confined them to Janjira, Gowalkot and Anjanvel.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> VG Dighe says that this treaty made Siddis a tributary of Marathas in all but name.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

March to DelhiEdit

File:Bajirao's route from Pune to Ater.jpg

Bajirao I's route from Pune to Ater on his expedition to Delhi (1736–1737)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

After the death of Trimbak Rao, Bangash's alliance against the Marathas fell apart. The Mughal emperor recalled him from Malwa, and re-appointed Jai Singh II as the governor of Malwa. However, the Maratha chief Holkar defeated Jai Singh in 1733 at the Battle of Mandsaur. After two more battles, the Mughals decided to offer the Marathas the right to collect the equivalent of Template:INR22 lakh in chauth from Malwa. On 4 March 1736, Bajirao and Jai Singh reached an agreement at Kishangad. Jai Singh tried to convince the emperor to agree to the plan. Though, Bajirao was appointed the deputy governor of the region, the emperor did not agree to his other demands. Bajirao subsequently launched a campaign against Mughals to pressure the emperor into accepting his remaining demands as well. Jai Singh is also believed to have secretly informed Bajirao that it was a good time to subdue the weakening Mughal emperor.<ref name="GSC_2005" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The emperor ordered the Mughal nobles to deal with Maratha incursions. Meanwhile, the Maratha chiefs Malhar Rao Holkar, Vithoji Bule and Pilaji Jadhav crossed Yamuna and plundered Mughal territories in the Doab. On learning of this, Saadat Ali Khan with his 150,000 strong forces attacked the Maratha chiefs at Jalesar, defeated them and retired to Mathura.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Malhar Rao Holkar rejoined Bajirao's army near Gwalior. In response, the Peshwa decided to attack Delhi itself. Believing that the Marathas had retreated to Deccan, Samsam-ud-Daulah, Mir Bakshi and Muhammad Khan Bangash invited Saadat Ali Khan to a banquet in Samsam-ud-Daulah's tent at Mathura. During the feast, they learnt that Bajirao had slipped along the Jat and Mewati hill route (avoiding the direct Agra-Delhi route) and was at Delhi. The Mughal commanders left the feast and began a hasty return to capital.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

File:Bajirao in Delhi.jpg

Bajirao in Mughal capital Delhi. The numeral (1) in map refers to the location of Battle at Talkatora and (2) refers to the location of Battle of Badshahpur<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Mughal emperor, Muhammad Shah dispatched a force led by Mir Hasan Khan Koka to check Bajirao's advance. The Marathas defeated his force on 28 March 1737 in outskirts of Delhi near Talkatora. When the news of the defeat of the Mughal troops by the Marathas spread, a sudden fear seized the citizens of Delhi who expected the attack of the Maratha conqueror any moment. But Baji Rao did not proceed with his victory although he could have taken the city unopposed. He had received intelligence that the Vazir with his army was coming towards Delhi in rapid marches when he heard that Baji Rao was at the gates of the capital. The Peshwa realised that any further stay in the city would greatly imperil his position and endanger the lines of communication with the Maratha mainland. He, therefore, left Delhi with his soldiers towards the south.<ref name=":15">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="GSC_2005" />

During his way back he encountered the Mughal Vizier Qamar-ud Din Khan at Badshahpur. After a long and tiring march following a heavy engagement, the Peshwa was in no mood to attack the Vazir. Neither could the Vazir array his forces for battle, as his artillery and a part of his men were yet on the road. There was a brush between the two forces in the failing light of the day, one elephant and a few horses were seized by the Marathas with the loss of 30 men at their side.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":16">Template:Cite book</ref> Afterwards, Bajirao with his army moved another eight miles before encamping for the night. Finding himself outnumbered to the Wazir's army and possibility of reinforcement from the other Mughal nobles he made a decision to retreat from Badshahpur during early night. Bajirao passed through Rajputana and reached Narnol and then Ajmer. The Mughal troops were unable to follow the Marathas as the emperor had called them back to Delhi.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":16" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Bajirao's invasion of the Mughal capital was intended to make the emperor aware of his power.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The event had caused great consternation and dismay in the capital. Although the Peshwa left the city suddenly, he exposed the weakness of the government. The demoralizing effect that the Peshwa's surprise attack produced on the army and the citizens of Delhi was permanent.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Battle of BhopalEdit

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File:Bajirao Peshwa Statue, Pune.jpg

Equestrian statue of Peshwa Bajirao I outside Shaniwar Wada, Pune

Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah sought help from the Nizam after Bajirao's dash on Delhi, the Nizam set out from the Deccan, met Bajirao's returning force at Sironj, and told the Peshwa he was going to Delhi to repair his relationship with the Mughal emperor. The Nizam was joined by other Mughal chiefs, and a 70,000-man Mughal army (reinforced by artillery), was dispatched against Bajirao.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Peshwa assembled an 80,000-man force. To counter aid to the Nizam from the Deccan, Bajirao stationed a force of 10,000 (under Chimaji Appa) on the Tapti River with instructions to prevent Nasir Jung from advancing beyond Burhanpur. He and his forces crossed the Narmada in early December 1737, communicating with agents and spies posted to observe enemy moves. The Nizam sheltered in Bhopal, a fortified town with a lake at his rear, to keep his army and artillery secure.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Although the Nizam's superior artillery was ineffective against the fast moving Maratha cavalry, it prevented Bajirao from attacking his defensive position.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Nizam, unable to hold out any longer, signed the Treaty of Bhopal at Doraha on 7 January 1738.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Malwa was ceded to the Marathas; the Mughals agreed to pay the equivalent of Template:INR5,000,000 in reparations, with the Nizam swearing on the Quran to abide by the treaty.<ref name="GSC_2005" /> The Mughal defeat at Bhopal confirmed the dominance of Maratha forces in India and marked the emergence of a new great power.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Response to Nader Shah's invasionEdit

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File:Facsimile of the handwriting of Bajirao Ballal (1720-40).jpg

31 Mar 1739 - Bajirao asks his brother Chimaji Appa to send reinforcements to Delhi to counter Nadir Shah.

In May 1738, Nader Shah, the ruler of Iran and the founder of the Afsharid dynasty, invaded Northern India for funds to fight his archrivals ottomans in the west.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He defeated the local Mughal governors of Kabul and Peshawar by Nov 1738 and advanced through the Punjab region. The Mughal emperor, Muhammad Shah alarmed by these developments gathered his prominent nobles and summoned the Nizam to Delhi.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Khan Dauran, the Mir Bakshi of Mughal Empire sent messengers among the Hindu Rajputs, especially Sawai Jai Singh, to aid the Emperor. However, Rajput chieftains were reluctant to act due to the growing discontent with the later Mughal emperors.<ref name=":3" />

Bajirao was initially bewildered by Nader's invasion. He feared that, in the event of Nader's victory over the Mughal emperor, the latter might remain in India and potentially advance southwards, posing a major threat to Maratha supremacy in Deccan. He therefore started preparations for war against Nader.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The emperor also sought Bajirao's aid and the Peshwa responded by promising to send the Maratha force under leaders such as Malhar Rao Holkar, Ranoji Sindhia, and Udaji Pawar.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref> But the help could not reach in time as most of the Maratha forces were engaged in Bassein campaign (1737–39) against Portuguese and it was useless to march against a foe like Nader without adequate forces.<ref name=":6"/> Meanwhile, Muhammad Shah forces faced a complete disaster at the hands of Nader Shah in the decisive Battle of Karnal.<ref name=":3" />

Bajirao stationed his commander Pilaji Jadhav in Malwa to check possible further advances of Nadir Shah.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Maratha observers posted in northern India transmitted comprehensive accounts of the unfolding events to Bajirao in Maharashtra. Varying opinions were put forward by different officials of what should be done by the Peshwa following the Mughal emperor's defeat. Some argued for Bajirao to confront Nader while others advised to wait for the invader's next move. There were even talks about placing Maharana of Mewar, a Hindu ruler, in place of Mughal emperor.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite book</ref> The Maratha agent Dhondo Govind suggested Bajirao to form a coalition of Rajput and Maratha forces. He argued that forces of Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur and Bundelas aided by Peshwa's forces would form a very strong Hindu front and increase the odds of victory against Nader Shah.<ref name=":4" />

Shahu also dictated Bajirao to march northwards.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao obliged Shahu and started moving northwards with his forces. By the time he reached Burhanpur, he received intelligence that Nader had already departed to Iran and had reinstated Muhammad Shah.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He was relieved upon hearing the news and exchanged letters with both Nader and Muhammad Shah.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Subsequently, he returned to Poona on 27 July.<ref name=":6" />

Although Bajirao and Nizam had the capacity to prevent the sack of Delhi, they never coordinated their efforts.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The crushing defeat of the Mughal Empire at the hands of the Persian conqueror left it unable to resist the aggressive Maratha expansion. Over the next twenty years, the Marathas conquered the empire's provinces one by one, becoming the dominant power in Indian subcontinent.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":6">Template:Cite book</ref>

DeccanEdit

Between 1738 and 1740, Nader Shah launched an invasion of India.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In response to this threat, Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah summoned the Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah, to Delhi. Accepting the emperor's request, Asaf Jah mobilized his army and marched to Delhi in a bid to resist the invasion.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the absence of the Nizam, Bajirao launched an attack on Hyderabad with the aim of capturing the six provinces of Deccan. Having already secured Malwa through the Battle of Bhopal from Jai Singh II, Bajirao sought to expand Maratha influence by targeting Hyderabad in the absence of the Nizam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In December 1739, Bajirao marched with 50,000 soldiers towards Aurangabad.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Nasir Jung, having received intelligence about the Marathas' intent to capture the Deccan in the absence of his father, mobilized up to 40,000 soldiers<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and marched against Bajirao. The battle ensued after both parties crossed the Godavari River.<ref name=":1.1">Template:Cite book</ref>

According to most sources, Nasir Jung lost the battle and escaped.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Nasir sued for peace and an agreement was signed between Bajirao and Nasir through which Khargone and Handia were ceded to the Marathas.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> On the other hand, alternative sources suggest that Bajirao suffered defeat, and his army was compelled to make a humiliating peace treaty, marking a significant setback for the Maratha forces.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Unreliable source? According to which, Marathas were deprived of their authority to collect chauth from the six provinces of Deccan and in return Khargone and Handia, previously promised by the Nizam, were formally ceded to the Maratha Empire. Historian Ghosh has however dismissed the defeat as rumor and justified that the contemporary English and Marathi letters highlights Bajirao's success against Nasir.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

This marked the final military engagement for Bajirao, as he died in April 1740 following the conclusion of this conflict.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Battle tacticsEdit

Bajirao was known for rapid tactical movements in battle, using cavalry.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> British field marshal, Bernard Montgomery studied Bajirao's tactics in the Palkhed campaign, particularly his rapid movements and his troops' ability to live off the land (with little concern about supply and communication lines) while conducting "maneuver warfare" against the enemy. In his book, A Concise History of Warfare, Montgomery wrote the following about Bajirao's victory at Palkhed:<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

They (Marathas) were at their best in the eighteenth century, and the Palkhed campaign of 1727–28 in which Baji Rao I outgeneralled Nizam-ul-Mulk, is a masterpiece of strategic mobility. Baji Rao's army was a purely mounted force, armed only with sabre, lance, a bow in some units and a round shield. There was a spare horse for every two men. The Marathas moved unencumbered by artillery, baggage, or even handguns and defensive armour. They supplied themselves by looting.<ref name="bernard"/>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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Montgomery further wrote,

Baji Rao resented the Nizam's rule over the Deccan and it was he who struck the first blow. In October 1727, as soon as rainy season ended, Baji Rao burst into the territories of Nizam. The lightly equipped Marathas moved with great rapidity, avoiding the main towns and fortresses, living off the country, burning and plundering. They met one reverse at the hands of Nizam's able lieutenant, Iwaz Khan, at the beginning of November 1727, but within a month they had fully recovered and were off again, dashing east, north, west, with sudden changes in direction. The Nizam had mobilised his forces, and for a time pursued them, but he was bewildered by the swift unpredictable movements of Marathas, and his men became exhausted.<ref name="bernard">Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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LegacyEdit

File:India1760 1905.jpg

Maratha Empire under Balaji Rao, son of Baji Rao in 1760.

Bajirao is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Maratha Empire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Gordon 1993 114" /> Historians like Stewart Gordon, J.L. Mehta and Dr. V.G. Dighe have considered him the most charismatic and dynamic leader in Maratha history after Shivaji.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Maratha king Shahu also had an implicit faith on Bajirao. On one occasion he called Bajirao as "the man with iron nerves".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Bajirao's policy of northward expansion (1720–40) brought the provinces from Punjab to Bengal under Maratha influence by 1760 and made Marathas the dominant power in Indian subcontinent throughout the 18th century.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":6" /> His conquests were one of the causes for the decline of Mughal Empire.<ref name=":8" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bajirao is considered to be one of the greatest military generals of his time.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> British Field Marshal Montgomery, renowned for his victory over Rommel in World War II, arguably regarded Bajirao as the greatest cavalry general in Indian history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Historian Jadunath Sarkar called Bajirao, "a heavenly-born cavalry leader".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Also describing his twenty years military career, he wrote:

Twenty years spent in breathless activity and tireless journeys across the Indian continent, from Delhi to Srirangpatan and Gujarat to Hyderabad, wore out the most wonderful man of action that the Hindu race has produced since the days of the great Shivaji Maharaj.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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File:Shaniwar wada inner.jpg

The Shaniwar Wada fortress in Pune was built as the seat of the Peshwa rulers during Bajirao I's reign.

K. M. Panikkar in his introduction to Bajirao I: The Great Peshwa commented: <templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

Baji Rao, the great Peshwa, was without doubt the most outstanding statesman and general India produced in [the] 18th century. If Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of Maratha State, Baji Rao could claim that he was the one who saved it from disruption and transformed what was national state in[to] an Empire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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Bajirao was hardly to be surpassed as a rider and was ever forward in action eager to expose himself under fire if the affair was arduous. He lived to see the Marathas spread terror over the Indian continent from the Arabian sea to the Bay of Bengal. He died as he lived in camp under canvas among his men and he is remembered among the Marathas as the fighting Peshwa, as the incarnation of Hindu energy.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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DeathEdit

Template:Multiple image Bajirao's body was exhausted due to ceaseless wars and military campaigns.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Besides, he was also troubled by domestic issues, particularly the imprisonment of his favorite wife Mastani.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The first illness Bajirao encountered which appeared on 23 April, when the symptoms were mild. On 26 April the fever has grown to an extent that, Bajirao became delirious. He died on Sunday i.e. 28 April 1740 at night, after about 8:30 p.m.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He was cremated the same day on the bank of Narmada River. Balaji Bajirao ordered Ranoji Shinde to build a chhatri as a memorial. The memorial is enclosed by a dharmshala. The compound has two temples, dedicated to Nilkantheshwar Mahadev (Shiva) and Rameshwar (Rama).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In popular cultureEdit

Character of Bajirao is portrayed in Marathi audio web series 'Shrimant Kashibai Bajirao Peshwe' created by Cultural Legacy of India.
Bajirao Mastani, a 1925 Indian silent film about the Peshwa directed by Nanubhai B. Desai and Bhalji Pendharkar.<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen1999">Template:Cite book</ref>
Rau, a 1972 fictional Marathi novel by Nagnath S. Inamdar, featured a love story of Bajirao I and Mastani.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Mastani, 1955 film directed by Dhirubhai Desai. It starred Nigar Sultana, Manher Desai, Shahu Modak and Agha.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The 2015 historical drama film Bajirao Mastani, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starred Ranveer Singh as Bajirao I.<ref name="review" />
Shrimant Peshwa Bajirao Mastani, another Indian TV series broadcast on ETV Marathi in 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Peshwa Bajirao, a 2017 TV series starring Rudra Soni as young Bajirao and Karan Suchak as the adult Bajirao, aired on Sony TV.<ref name="India Today"/>

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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Shaniwar Wada – the Peshwa palace at Pune Template:Webarchive

Template:S-start Template:Succession box Template:S-end Template:MarathaEmpire Template:Pune topics Template:Peshawe family

Template:Authority control

Bajirao I

Contents

Early lifeEdit

Appearance and Personal lifeEdit

AppearanceEdit

Personal lifeEdit

Appointment as PeshwaEdit

Military campaigns and warsEdit

The NizamEdit

BundelkhandEdit

The PortugueseEdit

GujaratEdit

RajputanaEdit

SiddisEdit

March to DelhiEdit

Battle of BhopalEdit

Response to Nader Shah's invasionEdit

DeccanEdit

Battle tacticsEdit

LegacyEdit

DeathEdit

In popular cultureEdit

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

Further readingEdit

External linksEdit