Balaji Vishwanath Biography

Balaji Vishwanath was born in 1660 A.D., in a Bhatt family of chitpawan Brahmins at Shrivardhan Gram in Konkan. In 1713 A.D. Sahu appointed him as his Peshwa and the remained faithful towards him with his heart and soul till his death.

The contemporary conditions were very difficult. If, in those hard situations Balaji Vishwanath had not co-operated Sahu, it would be possible that Sahu could not remain the ruler of Marathas. Balaji Vishwanath, first of all, strengthened the condition of his master.

Problems of Sahu and co-operation of Balaji

In 1711 A.D., the commander Chandra Sen left Sahu and joined Tarabai. In the same way one other general Haibat Rao Nibalkar also joined. By this, the power of Sahu was shocked. But in that critical situation Balaji strengthened the condition of Sahu by his wisdom. He organised a strong army by borrowing money from money-lenders. Then he defeated Chandra Sen, Tara Bai and other Sardars.

He imprisoned Tara Bai and her son Shivaji II and throned the second wife of Raja Ram Rajal Bai and her son Shambhaji II. Paras Ram Pant was also imprisoned. Balaji Vishwanath made friendship with Ram Chandra Pant and weakened Tara Bai with his co operation. He also made treaty with Kanhaji Aangriya, the general of Maratha navy and made him the supporter of Sahu. Then he defeated the famous opponents of his master Krishna Rao Khatekar and Damaji Thorat etc.

Increasing of Marathas Influence in Mughal Court by Balaji

Balaji Vishwanath made Marathas in his favour by diplomacy and in 1719 A.D. signed a treaty with Mughal Governor of South, Husain Ali Syyiyad Bhai according to which Marathas got sovereignty of many provinces. But Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar did not welcome this treaty. Meanwhile, Husain Ali decided to dethrone Farrukhsiyar. Pershwa Balaji Vishwanath and other Maratha Sardars went Delhi with big army to help Husain Ali with the help of Marathas, Husain Ali dethroned Furrukhsiyar.

Maratha army stayed in Delhi for some days and understood all the shortcomings of the court. The people of South, who were afraid of Mughals, became familiar with Lacuna of their power. By the selfishness and self-hunting tricts of Mughal Sardars, Marathas believed that Mughal government was waiting for her last moments.

Moreover, Maratha influence increased in Mughal court due to helping Husain Ali. For this help, Marathas got the right of talking Chauth. The wife and mother of Sahu and Madan Singh who were prisoners in Mughal court with Sahu were left free.

Other Works of Balaji

After removing the difficulties of Sahu and establishing Maratha influence in Mughal court, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath paid his attention towards organisation of Maratha Empire. He did the following works for this:

1. To make the post of Peshwa as hereditary, he made Sahu the Chhatrapati only for name and took all power in his hand.

2. To please Maratha Sardars, Balaji Vishwanath started the system of Jagirdari.

3. To unify Maratha Empire, Peshwa established a cooperative commission of all Maratha Sardars and also made proper arrangement to strengthen it. All members of this commission were given equal rights to prevent their internal disputes, Sahu was made Chhatrapati of this commission and all the works of this commission were done in his name.

4. Balaji Vishwanath also made some financial reforms in Maratha systems. The officers of revenue would appoint Peshwa and officers of Ashta Pradhan. Peshwa and officers of Ashta Pradhan would appoint officers of Sardar. Thus, Sardars had more power due to which Chhatrapati had to be dependent on Sardars, help for money ar.d army. This works of Balaji Vishawanath was for decreasing the power of the king.

5. Balaji Vishwanath strengthened the foundation of Maratha Empire by many battles and treaties.

Evaluation of Balaji Vishwanath

It may be said about the evaluation of Balaji that when he was appointed as Peshwa, the whole Maharashtra was suffering with crisis of disarrangement and home-war. But Balaji strengthened the country by hard work and continuous working. He established peace. He re­organised the finance of Maharashtra. He not only made the power of Sahu at top, but also got the legal recognition by Mughals. He increased the prestige and influence of Peshwa post so much that later on Peshwa became more powerful even than Maratha Chhatrapati.

He organised Maratha power after saving Maratha Sardars from a horrible home-war. He cleared it in front of Maratha Sardars that the foundation of Maratha Empire could be laid on the ruin of Mughal Empire. For this, he founded Maratha Maha Sangh. Under this system, the faithful Samants of Sahu were not only made permanent in their Jagirs, but also they were given new Jagirs and facilities.

These Maratha Sardars were independent in their provinces and received ‘Chauth’ and ‘Sardeshmuhi’ in their provinces. They took their portion from it and submitted the remaining money in government treasury. Gradually, these Maratha Sardars became so powerful that Peshwa had difficulty in controlling them.

In brief Balaji Vishwanath collected all means and things of imperialistic government and led Maratha Empire on the way of national prestige and empire- expansion: According to Richard Temple, ‘ Balaji Vishwanath spread his political view far and wide in Maharashtra. So, with his death this view was of everyone that foundation of Hindu empire had been laid on ruined of Muslim powers and leadership of that Hindu empire is safe in family of Balaji Vishwanath.” This was why reign of Sahu is considered a good age of Maratha empire.