Nanasaheb Peshwa
Nanasaheb Peshwa
Balaji Baji Rao also known as Nanasaheb Peshwa was the peshwa of Maratha empire. Maratha power in India reached its peak under his reign. During Balaji Raos tenure the Maratha territory reached its zenith. Balaji Rao was born in the Bhat family to Peshwa Baji Rao on 8 December 1720 at Pune. After Baji Rao died in April 1740 Chattrapati Sahu appointed 19 year old Balaji as the Peshwa in August 1740. He was married Gobika bai. In early years of Balaji Raos tenure Raghoji Bhonsle helped extend Maratha influence in South and East India. His mission was to help Pratap Singh of Thanjavur a royal of the Bhonsle clan. In 1743 Ragoji Bhonsle attacked Alivard Khans forces in Orissa Bengal and Bihar.
By 1752 Raghoji had taken over administration of Orissa and also frequently Bengal and Bihar to collect chauth. The instability brought by him to Bengal later paved way for the rise of the East India company there. The Maratha noble woman Tarabai was the head of the family that was a rival climant to the Chattrapati title. Tarabai unsuccessfully rebelled against the Peshwa in 1751. The same year Balaji Rao had invaded the territories of Nizam of Hyderabad who was supported by French. In 1752 Balaji Rao launched a fresh attack against the Nizam. But ultimately Balaji Baji Rao and Marquis concluded a peace treaty. Marathas and the Rajputs concluded another peace treaty in 1756.
The Marathas and Jat relations also worsened during Balaji Baji Raos reign. In 1754 the Moghul wazir Safdarjung sought Suraj Mals help against the Moghul emperor. During Baji Raos tenure the Moghuls had normally granted the Malwa to the Marathas. After becoming Peshwa Balaji Rao approached the Moghul emperor and managed to get appointed the Deputy Governor of Malwa. Between 1759 and 1761 the Durrains and Marathas fought each other in several skirmishes and small battles with varying results. In 1761 he was defeated by Ahmed Shah Abdali in the Third Battle of Panipat. The defeat of Panipat resulted in heavy losses for the Marathas and was a huge setback for Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. He had lost his own son Viswasrao in the battle of Panipat. He was died on 23 June 1761 and was succeeded by his younger son Madhav Rao. Balaji Baji Rao is also fighting for his freedom against his enemies and entered in Indian History.
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