Biography of Baji Rao

In 1720 A.D., Balaji Vishwanath died. Then his 20 years old son Baji Rao became Peshwa Sardars opposed him. Even then Sahu made him Peshwa. This decision of Sahu was in favour of Marathas.

On this appointment it is said that Sahu had good power of judging people. Undoubtedly, Baji Rao was a courageous soldier and battle-skilled general. He was unique in raids battle system. Living with his father he had understood all tricks of statesmanship and diplomacy. These qualities were the basis of his success.

When Baji Rao I became Peshwa, Mughal Empire had been weak he wanted to take advantage of his weakness. He would say, ‘Wow the time has come when we Hindu should drive away foreigners from our country and should gel immortal fame. We should attack on the trunk of the heavy falling tree of foreign power, so its branches would themselves fall.

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Moreover, the condition of Marathas Empire was not good. It is right that Balaji Vishwanath had solved the contemporary problems, but he could not find the permanent solution of those problems. Even now many Maratha Sardars and Shambhaji II of Kolhapur were engaged in making conspiracies against Sahu. Nizam-ul-mulk had inhabited in the south permanently and he had planned for his independent sovereignty in Hyderabad, so it had become a big problem for Marathas.

Nizam-ul-mulk was a noble diplomat, conspirator, general and strong rival of Marathas. At the time, the financial condition of Sahu was also not good so the administration had become a difficult task. But Bajirao faced the problems with much patience, courage and devotion. Rajputs had also disputes at this time. So, imperialistic Maratha Peshwa Bajirao took Rajputs in his favour to expend Maratha empire specially Sawai Jaisingh of Ajmer and King Ajit Singh of Jodhpur. He tried his best to get his aim.

Achievements and Important Events of Baji Rao

The main events of Baji Rao I were these as following:

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1. Attack on Malwa and Gujarat:

Baji Rao I wanted to establish Maratha Empire very rapidly. So he attacked on Malwa and Gujarat. These states were of Mughal Empire. Sahu did not want to fight against Mughal. So Baji Rao I had to call back his army. There was dispute between the policies of two Marathas representatives – Shri Pant Rao and Peshwa Baji Rao. Shri Pant Rao did not want to fight against nearly states and Peshwa opposed his policy and attacked on Malwa and Gujarat.

2. Attack on Karnataka:

Peshwa attacked on Kamatak by which King Shambhaji II of Kolhapur and Nizam became enemy of Peshwa. Nizam divided Sahu, Shri Pant Rao and Baji Rao by his cleverness and made Shambhaji II against Sahu. Nizam stopped to give this Chauth to Marathas. At ‘Baji Rao attacked on Nizam and compelled him for treaty’ after defeating him in battle. According to treaty Nizam had to pay the expenditure of war and Sahu was considered Chhatrapati of whole Maharashtra.

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3. Struggle of Trimbak Rao Dabhare:

There became some disputes between Baji Rao I and General Trimbak Rao. So they began to quarrel. Both armies met at Dabhai. In this battle, General Trimbak Rao was killed Peshwa himself got the post of general. Thus the power of Peshwa was more increased. H.N. Sinha wrote, “The victory of Dabhai was of double advantage for Baji Rao-it was the victory of his policy and another it was the victory of his rise.”

4. To Defeat Shambhaji II

The king of Kolhapur, Shambhaji II began to envoy his cousin Sahu. Due to this he attacked on Sahu. But with Peshwa Baji Rao I, Sahu defeated Shambhaji II and compelled him for treaty at “Bani”. By this treaty Kolhapur and Satara became friends. So Marathas became closer.

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5. Help of Chhatrasal – Peshwa Baji Rao I helped ruler of the Bundelkhand Chhatrasal against Mughals and made him friend by driving away Mughals from Bundelkhand. Chhatrasal considered Peshwa as his son. He divided his states into three parts. He gave on part to Peshwa and other two to his sons. Due to getting Bundelkhand, Marathas came to direct tough of Doab and Agra.

6. Defeating Nizam – Peshwa again defeated Nizam at Durai Sarai this was a great defeat of Nizam. He had to sign a treaty and had to accept many insulting conditions. Baji Rao I became famous in whole country by this victory.

7. To End the Rebels of Konkan – Baji I ended the rebels of the Konkan and established his sovereignty.

8. Attack on Portuguese – Baji Rao also attacked on Portuguese and compelled them for treaty. According to treaty, Portuguese gave Marathas 240 Villages, 8 Cities, 20 ports, the two famous places of the Thana and Basin. The English also became afraid by the defeat of Portuguese and they also made treaty with Marathas. Thus, the sovereignty of Marathas was established at western coast.

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Other Works of Baji Rao

Peshwa Baji Rao was not only a great soldier but he had also virtues of the good emperor. Peshwa Baji Rao showed his sign of being emperor by these works:

1. Power Balance Theory – at the time of Baji Rao I, there were Maratha powers of Sindhia, Holkar and Gayakwar etc. But Peshwa Baji Rao did not let anyone of them to be strong and defended Maratha Empire by following the policy of power balance.

2. End of Internal Dispute – Baji Rao I wanted to defence Maharashtra Mandal. During his last days, he distributed Mughals provinces among Maratha Sardars and gave them the right that they could get ‘Chauth’ in their provinces. Peshwa would have no right to interfere in their provinces. Thus Peshwa engaged all Maratha Sardars in their works so their internal disputes ended.

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3. To follow the Diplomacy – Baji Rao I did not make late, for fighting at the time of war. But when he found that battle was not working well, he at once made treaty and tried to insult the enemy. He helped Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand against Mughals to insult his enemy Mughal emperor. Then he attacked on Mughals with the help of Chhatrasal. This is the best example of Peshwa’s diplomacy. It is said about him – “He had a mind for thinking and hands of working”.

Thus it seems that Peshwa Baji Rao I was a great soldier, and he was also not lacking of virtue of great emperor. The reason of his death is said the revolt of his beloved Mastani’ H.N. Sinha wrote, “The best in braves, the most beautiful Baji Rao died like an attractive person in a love story.”