A modest apartment, a borrowed Maruti 800 for outings, Mahendra Peshwa, descendant of the legendary Maratha rulers, is like any other middle-class guy. Except for that last name...
Mahendra Peshwa, descendant of the legendary Maratha rulers, is like any other guy
I may be a Peshwa descendant, but does it really mean anything in 2009? When a traffic policeman stops me today and checks my driving licence, he does not even raise an eyebrow. The name Peshwa means nothing to him. He couldn't care less. And this, in Pune, a city from where my forefathers ruled large parts of India for nearly a hundred years.
Why just the policeman. I am a non-entity even at the Parvati hill temple, which houses the family's Lord Shiva deity. I am not allowed to enter the sanctum to perform a puja, despite the temple being run by the Dev Deveshwar Sansthan trust started by Nanasaheb Peshwa, my forefather in 1749. Today, none of my family members is on the five-man committee and this prevents us from performing even a puja.
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We have filed a case with the Charity Commissioner in Pune in 2001 demanding permanent places for at least two Peshwas on the committee, given the history of the trust. However, as is typical in India, no decision has been forthcoming from the commissioner for eight long years.
It is a well-documented fact that as the Peshwas battled the British tooth and nail, the British confiscated and destroyed all the Peshwa property in Pune, except the Parvati hill temple run by the Dev Deveshwar Sansthan.
Presently, the only property that our family owns is in far away Varanasi, where we have two small ghats and two temples, one dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other to Lord Ganesha. These temples and ghats were built by another of my forefathers, Amrutrao Peshwa, brother of Bajirao Peshwa II in 1807. I go on an annual pilgrimage to Varanasi every winter. It is the best time of the year to visit, as the weather is cool.
A modest apartment, a borrowed Maruti 800 for outings, Mahendra
Peshwa, descendant of the legendary Maratha rulers, is like any other
middle-class guy. Except for that last name...
Rashtrakuta,
Pala, Gurjara Pratihara empires controlled parts of India. And then
Delhi Sultanate, Kakatiya, Chalukya... later Vijayanagara.
The Maratha empire
4
Peshwa Madhavrao II in his court in 1790, concluding a treaty with British.
Sir
Charles Warre Malet, Concluding a Treaty in 1790 in Durbar with the
Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, oil on cancas painting by Thomas Daniell,
1805
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of the subcontinent, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km². The Marathas are partially credited with ending the Mughal rule in India.[2]
The Marathas were a yeoman Hindu warrior group from the western Deccan (present day Maharashtra) that rose to prominence by establishing 'Hindavi Swarajya'.
According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, "The Maratha group of castes
is a largely rural class of peasant cultivators, landowners, and
soldiers. Some Maratha and Kunbi have at times claimed Kshatriya (the
warrior and ruling class) standing and supported their claims to this
rank by reference to clan names and genealogies linking themselves with
epic heroes, Rajput clans of the north, or historical dynasties of the
early medieval period."[3] The Marathas became prominent in the 17th century under the leadership of Shivaji who revolted against the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, and carved out a rebel territory with Raigad as his stronghold.[4] Known for their mobility, the Marathas were able to consolidate their territory during the Deccan Wars against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and, later in time, controlled a large part of India.[3]
The word Maratha has been used to describe all the Marathi speaking
inhabitants of Maharashtra. Shivaji's lieutenants in addition to the
"Maratha" included those belonging to the CKP ( Baji Prabhu Deshpande
and Murar Baji)[5] and Deshastha Brahmin castes.[6]
The expansion of the empire under Shahu was carried by the generals
belonging to groups such as Chitpavan Brahmin (Bhat Peshwas of Pune),[7] the Kunbis (Shinde of Gwalior) and Dhangar (Holkar of Indore).[8][9] Shahu, a grandson of Shivaji, was released by the Mughals after the death of Aurangzeb. Following a brief struggle with his aunt Tarabai, Shahu became ruler. During this period, he appointed Balaji Vishwanath Bhat and later his descendants as the Peshwas or the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. After the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the empire expanded greatly under the rule of the Peshwas. The empire at its peak stretched from Tamil Nadu[10][11] in the south, to Peshawar(modern-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in the north, and Bengal and Andaman Islands in the east.[12][13] In 1761, the Maratha army lost the Third Battle of Panipat to Ahmed Shah Abdali of the Afghan Durrani Empire which halted their imperial expansion in North western India. Ten years after Panipat, young Madhavrao Peshwareinstated the Maratha authority over North India.
In a bid to effectively manage the large empire, he gave
semi-autonomy to the strongest of the knights, which created a
confederacy of Maratha states. They became known as Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Scindias of Gwalior and Ujjain, Bhonsales of Nagpur. In 1775, the British East India Company intervened in a succession struggle in Pune, which became the First Anglo-Maratha War. The Marathas remained the preeminent power in India until their defeat in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha wars (1805–1818), which left the British East India Company in control of most of India.
A large portion of the Maratha empire was coastline, which had been secured by a potent navy under commanders such as Kānhōjī Āngré. He was very successful at keeping foreign naval ships, particularly of the Portuguese and British, at bay.[14]
Securing the coastal areas and building land-based fortifications were
crucial aspects of the Maratha's defensive strategy and regional military history.
The Maratha Empire is also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy. The historian Barbara Ramusack
says that the former is a designation preferred by Indian nationalists,
while the latter was that used by British historians. She notes
Neither term is fully accurate since one implies a substantial degree
of centralisation and the other signifies some surrender of power to a
central government and a longstanding core of political administrators.[8]
Brief history
After a lifetime of guerrilla warfare with the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Shivaji could only establish a Maratha territory near the western ghats when he crowned himself Chhatrapati (king) in 1674 with Raigad
as its capital. Shivaji died in 1680, leaving behind a small kingdom
always at odds with the mighty Mughal hegemony. Soon after Shivaji's
death, the Mughals invaded, but could not fully subdue the Maratha
rebellion War of 27 years from 1681 to 1707.
Shahu, a grandson of Shivaji, ruled as emperor until 1749. During his reign, Shahu appointed the first Peshwa as head of the government, under certain conditions. After the death of Shahu, the Peshwas became the de facto leaders of the Maratha Empire from 1749 to 1761, while Shivaji's successors continued as nominal rulers from their base in Satara.
Covering a large part of the subcontinent, the Maratha Empire kept the
British forces at bay during the 18th century, until the Third Battle of Panipat following which the Marathas never fought as a single unit.
The Maratha Empire was at its zenith in the 18th century under Shahu and the Peshwa Baji Rao I. Losses at the Third Battle of Panipat
in 1761 suspended further expansion of the empire in the North-west and
reduced the power of the Peshwas. In 1761, after severe losses in the
Panipat war, the Peshwas slowly started losing control of the state.
Many military chiefs of the Maratha Empire like Shinde, Holkar, Gaikwad, Pant Pratinidhi, Bhosale of Nagpur, and Pandit of Bhor, Patwardhan started to work towards their individual ambitions of becoming independent rulers in their respective regions. However, under Madhavrao Peshwa,
Maratha authority in North India was restored, 10 years after the
battle of Panipat. After the death of Madhavrao, the empire gave way to a
loose Confederacy, with political power resting in a 'pentarchy' of
five mostly Maratha dynasties: the Peshwas of Pune; the Sindhias (originally "Shinde") of Malwa and Gwalior; the Holkars of Indore; the Bhonsles of Nagpur; and the Gaekwads of Baroda.
A rivalry between the Sindhia and Holkar clans dominated the
confederacy's affairs into the early 19th century, as did the clashes
with the British and the British East India Company in the three Anglo-Maratha Wars. In the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was defeated by the British in 1818. Most of the former Maratha Empire was absorbed by British India, however some of the Maratha states remained as vassals of the British until India became independent in 1947.
Shivaji was a Maratha aristocrat of the Bhosle clan who is considered to be the historical founder of the Maratha empire.[4][15] Shivaji led a resistance to free the Maratha people from the Sultanate of Bijapur, and re-establish Hindavi Swarajya ("self-rule of Hindu people"[16]). He created an independent Maratha kingdom with Vedant Raigad as its capital,[4] and successfully fought against the Mughals to defend his kingdom.[15] He was crowned as Chhatrapati ("sovereign") of the new Maratha kingdom in 1674.[4][15] The state as Shivaji founded it was a Maratha kingdom comprising about 4.1% of the subcontinent at the time he died[15] but over time it was to increase in size and heterogeneity,[17] and by the time of the Peshwas in the early 18th century was a full-fledged empire,[18] with Shivaji as its historical founder.[15][16][19]
Shivaji had two sons: Sambhaji and Rajaram.
Sambhaji, the elder son, was very popular among the courtiers. In 1681,
Sambhaji had himself crowned and resumed his father's expansionist
policies. Sambhaji had earlier defeated the Portuguese and Chikka Deva Raya of Mysore. To nullify any Rajput-Maratha alliance, as well as the Deccan Sultanates, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb
himself headed south in 1681. With his entire imperial court,
administration, and an army of about 500,000 troops he proceeded to
conquer the entire Maratha Empire along with the sultanates of Bijapur
and Golconda.
During the eight years that followed, Sambhaji led the Marathas, never
losing a battle or a fort to Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb had almost lost the
campaign but for an event in early 1689. Sambhaji called his commanders
for a strategic meeting at Sangameshwar
to decide on the final onslaught on the Mughal forces. In a
meticulously planned operation, Ganoji Shirke and Aurangzeb's commander,
Mukarrab Khan attacked Sangameshwar when Sambhaji was accompanied by a
few men. Sambhaji was ambushed and captured by Mughal troops on 1
February 1689. He and his advisor, Kavi Kalash were taken to Bahadurgad.[20] Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were executed for rebellion against the (Mughal) Empire on 11 March 1689.[citation needed]
Upon Sambhaji's death, Rajaram, his half-brother, assumed the throne.
He had to endure Mughal army siege to Raigad, his seat of Government.
However, Rajaram was able to flee to Vishalgad and then to Ginge for safety. From there the Marathas raided the Mughal territory and many forts were recaptured by Maratha commanders such as Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi, Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev, and Melgiri Pandit.[21] In 1697, Rajaram offered a truce but this was rejected by Aurangzeb. Rajaram died in 1700 at Sinhagad. His widow, Tarabai,
assumed control in the name of her son Ramaraja (Shivaji II). Then
Tarabai heroically led the Marathas against the Mughals; by 1705, they
had crossed the Narmada River and entered Malwa, then in Mughal possession.
Malwa was a decisive battle for the Maratha Empire. The Mughals lost their eminent position on the Indian subcontinent
forever and the subsequent Mughal emperors became titular rulers. The
Marathas emerged victorious after a long drawn-out and fiercely fought
battle. The soldiers and commanders who participated in this war
achieved the real expansion of the Maratha Empire. The victory also set
the foundations for the imperial conquests achieved later, under the Peshwas. Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bawdekar was a court administrator who rose from the ranks of a local Kulkarni
to the ranks of Ashtapradhan under guidance and support of Shivaji.
When Rajaram fled to Jinji in 1689 leaving Maratha Empire, he gave a
"Hukumat Panha" (King Status) to Pant before leaving. Ramchandra Pant
managed the entire state under many challenges like influx of Mughals,
betrayal from Vatandars (local satraps under the Maratha state) and
social challenges like scarcity of food. With the help of
Pantpratinidhi, Sachiv, he kept the economic condition of Maratha Empire
in an appropriate state. He wrote Adnyapatra in which he has explained different techniques of war, maintenance of forts and administration etc.
After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, Shahuji, son of Sambhaji (and grandson of Shivaji), was released by Bahadur Shah I,
the new Mughal emperor. The conditions laid by the Mughals for his
release rendered him a vassal of the Mughal emperor and kept his mother a
hostage of the Mughals in order to ensure that Shahuji adhered to the
release conditions. Upon release,Shahu immediately claimed the Maratha
throne and challenged his aunt Tarabai and her son. This promptly turned
the now-spluttering Mughal-Maratha war into a three-cornered affair.
The states of Satara and Kolhapur
came into being in 1707, because of the succession dispute over the
Maratha kingship. By 1710, two separate principalities had become an
established fact, eventually confirmed by the Treaty of Warna in 1731.[citation needed]
In 1713, Furrukhsiyar declared himself Mughal emperor. His bid for power depended heavily on two brothers, known as the Saiyids, one of whom was the governor of Allahabad and the other the governor of Patna. However, the brothers had a falling-out with the emperor. Negotiations between the Saiyids and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, a civilian representative of Shahu, drew the Marathas into the vendetta against the Mughal emperor.[citation needed]
In 1714, an army of Marathas commanded by Parsoji Bhosale marched up to Delhi unopposed and managed to depose the Mughal emperor.[22]
In return for this help, Balaji Vishwanath managed to negotiate a
substantial treaty. Shahuji would have to accept Mughal rule in the
Deccan, furnish forces for the imperial army, and pay an annual tribute.
But in return, he received a firman, or imperial directive, guaranteeing him Swaraj, or independence, in the Maratha homeland, plus rights to chauth and sardeshmukh (amounting to 35 percent of the total revenue) throughout Gujarat, Malwa, and the now six provinces of the Mughal Deccan. This treaty also released Yesubai, Shahuji's mother, from Mughal captivity.[22]
During regime of Shahu, Raghuji Bhosale expanded the empire in East reaching present-day Bangladesh. Senapati Dabhade expanded in West. Peshwa Bajirao and his three chiefs Pawar (Dhar), Holkar (Indore) and Scindia (Gwalior) expanded in North. All these houses became hereditary, thereby eventually undermining the kings' authority there.
The Peshwa era (1749 to 1761)
Shaniwarwada palace fort in Pune, it was the seat of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire until 1818.
During this era, Peshwas belonging to the (Bhat) Deshmukh Marathi Brahmin
family controlled the Maratha army and later became the hereditary
rulers of the Maratha Empire from 1749 to 1818. During their rein, the
Maratha empire reached its zenith ruling most of the Indian Subcontinent.
Prior to 1700, one Peshwa received the status of imperial regent for
eight or nine years. They oversaw the greatest expansion of the Maratha
Empire around 1760 with the help of Sardars like Holkar, Scindia (Shinde), Bhosale, and Gaekwad(Dhane). Other Generals such as Pantpratinidhi, Panse, Vinchurkar, Pethe, Raste,
Phadke, Patwardhan, Pawar, Pandit, Purandare and Mehendale also played
important part in the expansion. The areas controlled by the peshwa were
annexed by the British East India Company in 1818.
After Balaji Vishwanath's death in April 1720, his son, Baji Rao I was appointed as Peshwa by Chattrapati Shahu.
Shahu possessed a strong capacity for recognising talent, and actually
caused a social revolution by bringing capable people into power
irrespective of their social status. This was an indication of a great
social mobility within the Maratha Empire, enabling its rapid expansion.
Baji Rao Vishwanath (Bhat) Deshmukh
(18 August 1700 – 25 April 1740), also known as Baji Rao I, was a noted
general who served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the fourth Maratha
Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shahu between 1720 until death. He is credited
with expanding the Maratha Empire especially in north that reached its
zenith twenty years after his death. PeshwaBajirao fought over 41 battles and is reputed to have never lost one. Battle of Palkhed was a land battle that took place on 28 February 1728 at the village of Palkhed, near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra, India between Baji Rao I and the Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad. The Marathas defeated the Nizam. The battle is considered an example of brilliant execution of military strategy. The Battle of Vasai was fought between the Marathas and the Portuguese rulers of Vasai, a village lying near Bombay in the present-day state of Maharashtra, India. The Marathas were led by Chimaji Appa, a brother of Peshwa Baji Rao I. Maratha victory in this war was a major achievement of Baji Rao I reign.
Baji Rao's son, Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb), was appointed as a Peshwa by Shahuji. The period between 1741 and 1745 was one of comparative calm in the Deccan. Shahuji
died in 1749 bequething power to peshwa with condition that the dignity
of house of shivaji will be maintained and also welfare of subjects
will be looked after.
In 1740, the Maratha forces came down upon Arcot and defeated the Nawab of Arcot,
Dost Ali in the pass of Damalcherry. In the war that followed, Dost
Ali, one of his sons Hasan Ali, and a number of prominent persons lost
their lives. This initial success at once enhanced Maratha prestige in
the south. From Damalcherry the Marathas proceeded to Arcot. It
surrendered to them without much resistance. Then, Raghuji invaded
Trichinopoly in December 1740. Unable to resist, Chanda Saheb delivered
the fort to Raghuji on 14 March 1741, on the day of Ram Navami. Chanda Saheb and his son were arrested and sent to Nagpur.
After the successful campaign of Karnatak and Battle of Trichinopolly, Raghuji returned from Karnatak. He undertook six expeditions in Bengal from 1741–1748. Raghuji was able to annex Odisha to his kingdom permanently as he successfully exploited the chaotic conditions prevailing in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha after the death of their Governor Murshid Quli Khan
in 1727. Constantly harassed by the Bhonsles, Odisha or Cuttack, Bengal
and parts of Bihar were economically ruined. Alivardi Khan, Nawab of Bengal
made peace with Raghuji in 1751 ceding in perpetuity Cuttack up to the
river Subarnarekha, and agreeing to pay Rs.1.2 million annually in lieu
of the Chauth
of Bengal and Bihar. The smaller States of Raipur, Ratanpur, Bilaspur
and Sambalpur belonging to Chhattisgad territory were conquered by
Bhaskar Ram, and were placed in charge of Mohansingh, an illegitimate
son of Raghuji. Towards the end of his career, Raghuji had conquered the
whole of Berar; the Gond
kingdoms of Devgad including Nagpur, Gadha-Mandla and Chandrapur; the
Suba of Cuttack; and the smaller states spreading between Nagpur and
Cuttack. Nanasaheb encouraged agriculture, protected the villagers, and
brought about a marked improvement in the state of the territory.
Continued expansion saw Raghunath Rao, the brother of Nanasaheb, pushing into in the wake of the Afghan withdrawal after Ahmed Shah Abdali's plunder of Delhi in 1756. Delhi was captured by Maratha army under Raghunath Rao in August 1757 defeating Afghan garrison in the Battle of Delhi. This laid the foundation for the Maratha conquest of North-west India. In Lahore, as in Delhi, the Marathas were now major players.
Raghoba's letter to Peshwa Balaji Bajirao, 4 May 1758:[23]
Lahore, Multan, Kashmir and other subhas on this side of Attock are under our rule for the most part, and places which have not come under our rule we shall soon bring under us. Ahmad Shah Durrani's son Timur Shah Durrani and Jahan Khan have been pursued by our troops, and their troops completely looted. Both of them have now reached Peshawar
with a few broken troops. So Ahmad Shah Durrani has returned to
Kandahar with some 12–14 thousand broken troops. Thus all have risen
against Ahmad who has lost control over the region. We have decided to
extend our rule up to Kandahar.
Maratha Armory
Signature Maratha helmet with curved back.
Maratha Armour from Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia.
On 8 May 1758, the Marathas captured Peshawar, defeating the Afghan troops in the Battle of Peshawar. In 1759, The Marathas under Sadashivrao Bhau
(referred to as the Bhau or Bhao in sources) responded to the news of
the Afghans' return to North India by sending a big army to North.
Bhau's force was bolstered by some Maratha forces under Holkar, Scindia, Gaikwad and Govind Pant Bundele. The combined army of over 100,000 regular troops had re-captured the former Mughal capital, Delhi, from an Afghan garrison in August 1760.[24]
Delhi had been reduced to ashes many times due to previous invasions,
and in addition there being acute shortage of supplies in the Maratha
camp. Bhau ordered the sacking of the already depopulated city.[25][26]
He is said to have planned to place his nephew and the Peshwa's son,
Vishwasrao, on the Mughal throne. By 1760, with defeat of the Nizam in
the Deccan, Maratha power had reached its zenith with a territory of over 2,800,000 km² acres. Ahmad Shah Durrani, then called Rohillas and Nawab of Oudh
to assist him in driving out 'infidel' Marathas from Delhi. Huge armies
of Muslim forces and Marathas collided with each other on 14 January
1761 in the Third Battle of Panipat. The Maratha army lost the battle which halted imperial expansion. The Jats and Rajputs did not support the Marathas. Their withdrawal from the ensuing battle played a crucial role in its result.
The Marathas had antagonised the Jats and Rajputs by taxing them
heavily, punishing them after defeating the Mughals and interfering in
their internal affairs. The Marathas were abandoned by Raja Suraj Mal of
Bharatpur and the Rajputs who quit the Maratha alliance at Agra before the start of the great battle and withdrew their troops, as Maratha general Sadashivrao Bhau
did not heed the advice to leave soldier's families (women and
children) and pilgrims at Agra and not take them to the battle field
with the soldiers, rejected their cooperation. Their supply chains
(earlier assured by RajaSuraj Mal and Rajputs) did not exist.
During this period various chiefs and statesman became de facto rulers. The Peshwa was relegated to secondary position. He also became ceremonial king especially after death of PeshwaMadhavrao I.
After 1761, young Madhavrao Peshwa
tried his best to rebuild the empire in spite of his frail health and
reinstated the Maratha authority over North India, 10 years after the
battle of Panipat. In a bid to effectively manage the large empire,
semi-autonomy was given to strongest of the knights. Thus, the
semi-autonomous Maratha states came into being in far flung regions of
the empire :
After the battle of Panipat Malhar Rao Holkar attacked the Rajputs and defeated them at the battle of Mangrol. The battle largely restored Maratha power in Rajasthan.[28] Under the leadership of Mahadji Shinde the Marathas defeated the Jats, the Rohilla Afghans and took Delhi which remained basically under Maratha control for the next 2 decades.[29]Mahadaji Shinde was the Maratha ruler of the state of Gwalior in central India. Mahadaji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the debacle of the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of the Peshwa, leader of the Maratha Empire, as well as the Mughal king Shah Alam II.
He took full advantage of the system of neutrality pursued by the
British to resurrect Maratha power over Northern India. In this he was
assisted by Benoît de Boigne who increased Sindhia's regular forces to three brigades. With these troops Sindhia became a power in northern India.
In 1767 Madhavrao I crossed the Krishna River and inflicted defeats on Hyder Ali in the battles of Sira and Madgiri.[30] He even rescued the last queen of the Keladi Nayaka Kingdom who was kept in confinement by Hyder Ali in the fort of Madgiri.[30]
After the growth in power of feudal lords like Malwa sardars,
landlords of Bundelkhand and Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan, they refused
to pay tribute to Mahadji. So he sent his army conquer the states such
as Bhopal,
Datiya, Chanderi (1782), Narwar, Salbai and Gohad. He launched an
expedition against the Raja of Jaipur, but withdrew after the
inconclusive Battle of Lalsot in 1787.
The strong fort of Gwalior was then in the hands of Chhatar Singh, the Jat ruler of Gohad.
In 1783, Mahadji besieged the fort of Gwalior and conquered it. He
delegated the administration of Gwalior to Khanderao Hari Bhalerao.
After celebrating the conquest of Gwalior, Mahadji Shinde turned his
attention to Delhi.
In early 1771, ten years after the collapse of Maratha supremacy in North India following the Third Battle of Panipat, Mahadji recaptured Delhi and installed Shah Alam II as the puppet ruler on the Mughal throne.[31] receiving in return the title of deputy Vakil-ul-Mutlak or vice-regent of the Empire and that of Vakil-ul-Mutlak being at his request conferred on the Peshwa. The Mughals also gave him the title of Amir-ul-Amara(head of the amirs).[32] Mahadji ruled the Punjab as it used to be a Mughal territory and Sikh sardars and other Rajas of the cis-Sutlej region paid tributes to him.[33]
After taking control of Delhi, Marathas sent a large army in 1772 to “punish” Afghan Rohillas
for Panipat. Maratha army devastated Rohilkhand by looting and
plundering and also took the members of royal family as captives.
Maratha general Mahadaji was “very much pleased with the revenge taken
by his men” for Panipath.[34]
The Battle of Gajendragad was fought between the Marathas under the command of Tukojirao Holkar (the adopted son of Malharrao Holkar) and Tipu Sultan
from March 1786 to March 1787 in which Tipu Sultan was defeated by the
Marathas. By the victory in this battle, the border of the Maratha
territory extended till Tungabhadra river.
In 1788 Mahadji's armies defeated Ismail Beg, a Mughal noble who resisted the Marathas.[35]
The Rohilla chief Ghulam Kadir, Ismail Beg's ally, took over Delhi,
capital of the Mughal dynasty, and deposed and blinded the king Shah Alam II, placing a puppet on the Delhi throne. Mahadji intervened, taking possession of Delhi on 2 October, restoring Shah Alam II to the throne and acting as his protector.[36] Mahadji sent Benoît de Boigne to crush the forces of Jaipur at Patan (20 June 1790) and the armies of Marwar at Merta on 10 September 1790.
Another achievement of Mahadji was his victory over the Nizam
of Hyderabad's army in a battle. The Nizam ceased be a factor in the
north Indian politics after this battle and it generally confined itself
in the Deccan afterwards. After the peace made with Tipu Sultan
of Mysore in 1792, Mahadji successfully exerted his influence to
prevent the completion of a treaty between the British, the Nizam of
Hyderabad, and the Peshwa, directed against Tipu.
Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar
After the Battle of Poona, the flight of Peshwa left the government of Maratha state in the hands of Yashwantrao Holkar.[37] He appointed Amrutrao as the Peshwa and went to Indore on 13 March 1803. All except Gaikwad chief of Baroda,
who had already accepted British protection by a separate treaty on 26
July 1802, supported the new regime. He made a treaty with the British
in 1805, that fulfilled his demands. Also, Yashwant-Rao successfully
resolved the disputes with Scindia and the Peshwa. His battles were the most remarkable in the military history of India and the title given to him by the Mughal Emperor gave him a prominent position amongst the rulers of India.[38]
He tried to unite the Maratha Confederacy. He was as clever organiser
as he was skilful in war. The various branches of the army were
organised on a sound military basis. As a military strategist he ranks
among the foremost generals who have ever trod on Indian soil. His
heroic achievements shed a noble lustre on his military genius,
political sagacity and indefatigable industry. He was undoubtedly the
greatest and most romantic figure on the stage of Indian history.[39]
Yashwant Rao Holkar rose to power from initial nothingness entirely by
dint of his personal valour and spirit of adventure. So great was his
personality that even in those troublesome times, no state or power
could venture to commit aggression on his territory; and this influence
kept the Holkar State secure even after his death for some years.
Peshwa Madhavrao II in his court in 1790, concluding a treaty with British.
In 1775, the British East India Company, from its base in Bombay, intervened in a succession struggle in Pune, on behalf of Raghunathrao (also called Raghobadada), which became the First Anglo-Maratha War. That ended in 1782 with a restoration of the pre-war status quo. Marathas under Tukojirao Holkar and Mahadaji Shinde had defeated British in the battle of Vadgaon. In 1802 the British intervened in Baroda
to support the heir to the throne against rival claimants, and they
signed a treaty with the new Maharaja recognising his independence from
the Maratha Empire in return for his acknowledgement of British
paramountcy. In the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805), the Peshwa Baji Rao II signed a similar treaty.
In 1799, Yashwantrao Holkar was crowned King, he captured Ujjain.
He started campaigning towards the north to expand his empire in that
region. Yashwant Rao rebelled against the policies of the PeshwaBaji Rao II. On May 1802, he marched towards Pune the seat of the Peshwa. This gave rise to the Battle of Poona in which the Peshwa was defeated. After the Battle of Poona, the flight of Peshwa left the government of Maratha state in the hands of Yashwantrao Holkar.[37] He appointed Amrutrao as the Peshwa and went to Indore on 13 March 1803. All except Gaikwad chief of Baroda,
who had already accepted British protection by a separate treaty on 26
July 1802, supported the new regime. He made a treaty with the British
in 1805, that fulfilled his demands. Also, Yashwant-Rao successfully
resolved the disputes with Scindia and the Peshwa. He tried to unite the Maratha Confederacy but to no avail.
Ultimately the Third Anglo-Maratha War
(1817–1818), a last-ditch effort to regain sovereignty, resulted in the
loss of Maratha independence: it left the British in control of most of
India. The Peshwa was exiled to Bithoor (Maratnear Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh)
as a pensioner of the British. The Maratha heartland of Desh, including
Pune, came under direct British rule, with the exception of the states
of Kolhapur and Satara,
which retained local Maratha rulers. The Maratha-ruled states of
Gwalior, Indore, and Nagpur all lost territory, and came under
subordinate alliance with the British Raj as princely states
that retained internal sovereignty under British 'paramountcy'. Other
small princely states of Maratha knights were retained under the British
Raj as well.
Peshwa Baji Rao II signing of the Treaty of Bassein with the British.
At the end of the war, all of the Maratha powers had surrendered to the British, which resulted in the Treaty of Gwailor[citation needed]
on 5 November 1817. Under this treaty, Shinde surrendered Rajasthan to
the British and agreed to help them fight the Pindaris. Holkar was
defeated on 21 December 1817 and signed the Treaty of Mandeswar[citation needed]
on 6 January 1818. Under this treaty the Holkar state became subsidiary
to the British. The young Malhar Rao was raised to the throne.[citation needed] Bhonsle was defeated on 26 November 1817 and was captured but he escaped to live out his life in Jodhpur.[citation needed]
The Peshwa surrendered on 3 June 1818 and was sent off to Bithur near
Kanpur under the terms of the treaty signed on 3 June 1818.[citation needed]
Of the Pindari leaders, Karim Khan surrendered to Malcolm in February
1818; Wasim Mohammad surrendered to Shinde and eventually poisoned
himself; and Setu was killed by a tiger.[citation needed]}
The war left the British, under the auspices of the British East
India Company, in control of virtually all of present-day India south of
the Sutlej River. The famed Nassak Diamond was acquired by the Company as part of the spoils of the war.[citation needed]
The British acquired large chunks of territory from the Maratha Empire
and in effect put an end to their most dynamic opposition.[citation needed]
The terms of surrender Malcolm offered to the Peshwa were controversial
amongst the British for being too liberal: The Peshwa was offered a
luxurious life near Kanpur and given a pension of about 80,000 pounds. A
comparison was drawn with Napoleon,
who was confined to a small rock in the south Atlantic and given a
small sum for his maintenance. Trimbakji Dengale was captured after the
war and was sent to the fortress of Chunar[citation needed]
in Bengal where he spent the rest of his life. With all active
resistance over, John Malcolm played a prominent part in capturing and
pacifying the remaining fugitives.[citation needed]
The organisation of Marathas’ administration was composed of several ministers (pradhaanas):[40]
Peshwa : Mukhya (main) Pradhan, Prime Minister to the Emperor, for supervising and governing in his absence. The Emperor's orders bore the Peshwa's seal.
Navis or Waqia Mantri: to record daily activities of the royal family and to serve as the master of ceremonies
Sur Navis or Sacheev: Imperial Secretary, to oversee the Crown's correspondence to ensure letter and style adherence (e.g., Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev)
Sumant or Dabir: Foreign Minister, to manage foreign affairs and receive ambassadors
Pandit: to adjudicate internal religious disputes and promote formal education and spiritual practice (e.g., Melgiri Pandit)
Nyayadhish: the highest judicial authority (Chief Justice).
Peshwa (Marathi: पेशवे) was the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emperor Shivaji
created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate
administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to
1749, Peshwas held office for 8–9 years and controlled the Maratha army.
They later became the de facto hereditary administrators of the Maratha Empire from 1749 till its end in 1818.
Under Peshwa administration and with the support of several key
generals and diplomats (listed below), the Maratha Empire reached its
zenith, ruling most of the Indian subcontinent landmass. It was also under the Peshwas that the Maratha Empire came to its end through its formal annexation into the British Empire by the British East India Company in 1818.
Gold coins minted during Shivaji's era, 17th century.
The Marathas used secular policy of administration and allowed complete freedom of religion.[41] There were many notable Muslims in the military and administration of Marathas like Ibrahim Khan Gardi, Haider Ali Kohari, Daulat Khan, Siddi Ibrahim, Jiva Mahal etc. Shivaji was an able administrator who established a government that included modern concepts such as cabinet, foreign affairs and internal intelligence.[citation needed]
He established an effective civil and military administration. He
believed that there was a close bond between the state and the citizens.
He is remembered as a just and welfare-minded king. Cosme da Guarda
says about Shivaji in 'Life of the Celebrated Sevaji':[42]
Such was the good treatment Shivaji accorded to people and such was
the honesty with which he observed the capitulations that none looked
upon him without a feeling of love and confidence. By his people he was
exceedingly loved. Both in matters of reward and punishment he was so
impartial that while he lived he made no exception for any person; no
merit was left unrewarded, no offence went unpunished; and this he did
with so much care and attention that he specially charged his governors
to inform him in writing of the conduct of his soldiers, mentioning in
particular those who had distinguished themselves, and he would at once
order their promotion, either in rank or in pay, according to their
merit. He was naturally loved by all men of valor and good conduct.
However, the later Marathas are remembered more for their military
campaigns, not for their administration. Hindu historians have
criticised the treatment of Marathas with Jats and Rajputs. Historian K Roy writes:
“The treatment of Marathas with their co-religionist fellows – Jats
and Rajputs was definitely unfair, and ultimately they had to pay its
price in Panipat where Muslim forces had united in the name of religion.”[23]
Geography
Maratha Empire, 1758 (in orange) was the paramount power in the Indian sub-continent in 18th and early 19th century, until it was usurped by the British East India Company.
A painted scroll depicting different types of ships of the Marathan Navy including some captured English ships.
The Maratha Empire is credited with laying the foundation of the Indian Navy and bringing about considerable changes in naval warfare by introducing a blue-water navy. The Maratha Empire is also credited for developing many important cities like Pune, Baroda, and Indore. From its inception in 1674, the Marathas established a Naval force, consisting of cannons mounted on ships.
The dominance of the Maratha Navy started with the ascent of Kanhoji Angre as the Darya-Saranga by the Maratha chief of Satara.[51] Under that authority, he was admiral of the Western coast of India from Bombay to Vingoria (now Vengurla) in the present day state of Maharashtra, except for Janjira which was affiliated with the Mughal Empire.
The Marathas established watch posts on the Andaman Islands and are credited with attaching those islands to India.[12][13] He attacked English, Dutch and Portuguese ships which were moving to and from East Indies.[52] Until his death in 1729, he repeatedly attacked the colonial powers of Britain and Portugal, capturing numerous vessels of the British East India Company and extracting ransom for their return.
On 29 November 1721, a joint attempt by the Portuguese Viceroy Francisco José de Sampaio e Castro and the British General Robert Cowan to humble Kanhoji failed miserably. Their combined fleet consisted of 6,000 soldiers in no less than four Man-of-war besides other ships led by Captain Thomas Mathews
of the Bombay Marine failed miserably. Aided by Maratha naval
commanders Mendhaji Bhatkar and Mainak Bhandari, Kanhoji continued to
harass and plunder the European ships until his death in 1729.
The 'Pal' was a three masted Maratha man-of-war with guns peeping on the broadsides.
Accounts by Afghans and Europeans
Maratha Gurabs ships attacking a British East India Company ship.
The Maratha army especially its infantry was praised by almost all the enemies of Maratha Empire, ranging from Duke of Wellington to Ahmad Shah Abdali. After the Third Battle of Panipat,
Abdali was relieved as Maratha army in the initial stages were almost
in the position of destroying the Afghan armies and their Indian Allies Nawab of Oudh and Rohillas. The grand wazir of Durrani Empire, Shah Wali Khan was shocked when Maratha commander-in-chief Sadashivrao Bhau
launched a fierce assault on the centre of Afghan Army, over 3,000
Durrani soldiers were killed alongside Haji Atai Khan, one of the chief
commander of Afghan army and nephew of wazir Shah Wali Khan.
Such was the fierce assault of Maratha infantry in hand-to-hand combat
that Afghan armies started to flee and the wazir in desperation and rage
shouted "Comrades Whither do you fly, our country is far off".[53][54][55] Post battle Ahmad Shah Abdali
in a letter to one Indian ruler claimed that Afghans were able to
defeat the Marathas only because of the blessings of almighty and any
other army would have been destroyed by the Maratha army on that
particular day even though Maratha army was numerically inferior to
Afghan army and its Indian allies.[56] The letter is kept in the National Archives of India.
Similarly Duke of Wellington after defeating Marathas noted that
Marathas though were poorly led by their Generals but their regular
infantry and artillery matches the level of Europeans, he also warned
other British officers from underestimating Marathas in battlefield. He
cautioned one British general that: "You must never allow Maratha
infantry to attack head on or in close hand to hand combat, as in that
your army will cover itself with utter disgrace".[57] Even when Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
became Prime Minister of Britain he held Maratha infantry in utmost
respect, claiming it to be one of the best in world at the same time
however he noticed the poor leadership of Maratha Generals, who were
often responsible for their defeats.[57] Most British Authors agree that Maratha infantry was equal to that of British infantry after the Third Anglo-Maratha war in 1818, Maratha agreed to serve British Empire, and Britain listed Maratha as one of the Martial race.[58]
Maratha Notable Generals and Administrators
Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bawdekar
Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bawdekar was a court administrator who rose from the ranks of a local Kulkarni
to the ranks of Ashtapradhan under guidance and support of Shivaji. He
was one of the prominent Peshwas from the time of Shivaji, prior to the
rise of the later Peshwas who controlled the empire after Shahuji.[40]
When Chhatrapati Rajaram fled to Jinji
in 1689 leaving Maratha Empire, he gave a "Hukumat Panha" (King Status)
to Pant before leaving. Ramchandra Pant managed the entire state under
many challenges like influx of Mughals, betrayal from Vatandars (local
satraps under the Maratha state) and social challenges like scarcity of
food. With the help of Pantpratinidhi, Sachiv, he kept the economic
condition of Maratha Empire in an appropriate state.
He received military help from the Maratha commanders – Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav. On many occasions he himself participated in battles against Mughals.
In 1698, he stepped down from the post of "Hukumat Panha" when
Rajaram offered this post to his wife, Tarabai. Tarabai gave an
important position to Pant among senior administrators of Maratha State.
He wrote "Adnyapatra"
(मराठी: आज्ञापत्र) in which he has explained different techniques of
war, maintenance of forts and administration etc. But owing to his
loyalty to Tarabai against Shahuji (who was supported by more local
satraps), he was sidelined after arrival of Shahuji in 1707.
Thanjavur Marathas were the rulers of Thanjavur principality of Tamil Nadu between the 17th to the 19th century C.E. Their native language was Thanjavur Marathi. Venkoji was the founder of the dynasty. Thanjavur Maratha dynasty :
A modest apartment, a borrowed Maruti 800 for outings, Mahendra Peshwa,
descendant of the legendary Maratha rulers, is like any other
middle-class guy. Except for that last name.
It is a well-documented fact that as the Peshwas battled the British tooth and nail (Photo: Rahul Chandawarkar)
I may be a Peshwa descendant, but does it really mean anything
in 2009? When a traffic policeman stops me today and checks my driving
licence, he does not even raise an eyebrow. The name Peshwa means
nothing to him. He couldn’t care less. And this, in Pune, a city from
where my forefathers ruled large parts of India for nearly a hundred
years. Why just the policeman. I am a non-entity even at the Parvati hill
temple, which houses the family’s Lord Shiva deity. I am not allowed to
enter the sanctum to perform a puja, despite the temple being
run by the Dev Deveshwar Sansthan trust started by Nanasaheb Peshwa, my
forefather in 1749. Today, none of my family members is on the five-man
committee and this prevents us from performing even a puja. We have filed a case with the Charity Commissioner in Pune in 2001
demanding permanent places for at least two Peshwas on the committee,
given the history of the trust. However, as is typical in India, no
decision has been forthcoming from the commissioner for eight long
years. It is a well-documented fact that as the Peshwas battled the British
tooth and nail, the British confiscated and destroyed all the Peshwa
property in Pune, except the Parvati hill temple run by the Dev
Deveshwar Sansthan. Presently, the only property that our family owns is in far away
Varanasi, where we have two small ghats and two temples, one dedicated
to Lord Shiva and the other to Lord Ganesha. These temples and ghats
were built by another of my forefathers, Amrutrao Peshwa, brother of
Bajirao Peshwa II in 1807. I go on an annual pilgrimage to Varanasi
every winter. It is the best time of the year to visit, as the weather
is cool. Presently, my father and his brother, as direct descendants of the
Peshwas get a pension of Rs 13,360 per annum each from the Government of
India treasury in Allahabad. This amount is the interest calculated at 4
per cent on the promissory notes deposited by the Peshwas with the
British in 1855. According to my father, Krishnarao, the British confiscated 90 per
cent of the promissory notes and all the gems and jewellery belonging to
the Peshwas in 1855. We have been requesting the government to release
the balance amount in the treasury or at least increase the rate of
interest, but our requests have fallen on deaf ears so far. However, in spite of all this, I am proud to be a Peshwa. Our
forefathers ruled large parts of the country and it feels special to be
part of a clan with so much history. Today, I live in a modest apartment in the Karvenagar area of Pune
with my wife and teenaged, college-going daughter. No luxury and riches
for us. I ride an old scooter and when the family has to go out
together, I use my father’s old, beat-up Maruti Suzuki 800 car. I also
personally shop for vegetables, milk, bread and groceries every day. In any case, there is nothing amiss here. The Peshwas themselves were
never given to creature comforts. While Bajirao Peshwa I, did construct
the Shaniwar wada, home and headquarters of the Peshwas in central
Pune, not many Peshwas managed to enjoy its comforts. Least of all
Bajirao Peshwa I himself. It is a well-known fact that Bajirao I, was
more on horseback fighting the enemy than relaxing at his home in Pune.
Ditto with a majority of Peshwas who were always on the battlefield,
fighting the enemy. Don’t forget that the Peshwa army actually went past
Attock in present-day Pakistan. I work as an engineering consultant and am an expert on special
purpose machines. In all probability, you will find me rushing from one
shop floor to the other on any given day, trying to attend to my
clients’ complaints. Like the Peshwas of yore, no creature comforts for
me, thank you. The only problem is that my clients and customers assume
that I am a rich man and often tease me, saying, “You are a Peshwa, why
do you need the money?” As a child, I grew up on a diet of tales depicting Peshwa Bajirao I’s
courage and valour. So quite naturally, he is my hero. Within a short
span of just 20 years, he managed to take Shivaji’s concept of Swarajya ( freedom) and convert it to Samrajya
(empire). Bajirao I, was the first Peshwa to take the Maratha army past
Delhi and bring almost 70 per cent of India under Maharashtrian rule.
He is also the only Peshwa to have never lost a battle. Just how astute Bajirao was, can be gleaned from the manner in which he
convincingly outwitted the Nizam of Hyderabad in the battle of Palkhed. A
master strategist, Bajirao, with far less manpower and resources than
the Nizam, managed to surround the Hyderabad ruler so completely, that
the Hyderabadi ruler was forced to surrender without a drop of blood
being shed. I did my initial schooling in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, a cantonment
town where we had several friends in both the army and the air force.
Coming from the Peshwa family, it was natural for me to be attracted to a
career in the armed forces. I was a sergeant in the junior National
Cadet Corps (NCC) in my military school in Pune, where I was adept at
horse riding and shooting. However, certain family circumstances prevented me from actually
taking up a career in the armed forces after I completed school. I
regret that even today. So much so, that if given even half a chance
today, I would join the army in a flash. The present state of Indian politics is simply revolting. I don’t
like the manner in which this country is being run. If Bajirao I were to
visit Pune today, he would have been appalled by the traffic congestion
and the utter lack of town planning. He would also be aghast at the
countless loopholes that exist in our policing system. Successive
Peshwas, starting with him, had put in place a well worked-out system
and plan for Pune. He would have also been hurt by the class divide that exists in
Maharashtra between the Brahmins and Marathas today, created by modern
day politicians. In his time, the Peshwa army was not just made up of
Marathas, Muslims were also part of it. The class divide has reached such ridiculous proportions now that
when present-day Maharashtrian politicians make speeches, they
fast-forward directly from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji to that of
Mahatma Phule, as if the 100-year reign by the Brahmin Peshwas never
even happened. Isn’t that downright ridiculous? I was never really attracted to politics and hence, have never
harboured any personal political ambitions. However, among the many
political parties in India, I would be more inclined to vote for the
BJP. Nowadays, I get true solace whenever I visit the Shaniwar wada with
friends and family for the ‘sound and light’ show depicting the history
of the wada and the life of the Peshwas. It leaves me with a lump in the
throat every single time. Much like watching the Republic Day parade in
New Delhi. ................................................................................... Why Bajirao Mastani has upset two families | Business Standard News
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Centuries old feud between Peshwas and Mastanis ends Families that have been warring ever since
Baji Rao Peshwa I married Muslim girl Mastani come together, make peace
over kaju katlis and rasagullas Nadeem Inamdar @timesgroup.com IN PUNE
When
he knocked on the heavy wooden front door of the sprawling bungalow on
Prabhat Road, Umar Ali Bahadur could barely contain his excitement. When
the door was opened by the elegant septuagenarian Vinayak Vishwanath
Peshwa, Bahadur felt an immediate connect. Before the door opened he
tried to imagine how his host would look. "The man before me looked just
like Bade Abba - my father's elder brother," Bahadur beams. "He
embraced me with affection and I could feel it was my blood," recalls
Bahadur. All of 25, Bahadur has come to Pune in search of his roots and
this meeting on Monday night was momentous. He was meeting family.
The
73-year-old Vinayak Vishwanath Peshwa, a practising Hindu Brahmin in
Pune and Bahadur, a devout Muslim from Bhopal are both eighth generation
descendants of Baji Rao Peshwa I, a noted general who served as the
Prime Minister (or Peshwa) of the fourth Maratha emperor (Chhatrapati)
Shahu, between 1720 and 1740 (when he died). The two trace their lineage
to the two wives of Baji Rao: Kashibai and Mastani.
The two
families have had little to do with each other over the past
generations, as Baji Rao's Hindu family disapproved of his marriage to a
Muslim woman. Legend has it that Baji Rao's mother Radhabai connived
with his brother Chimanji Appa and tried to send her into exile. Baji
Rao's son Balaji too put Mastani under house arrest when he was away on a
military campaign. Baji Rao lived with Mastani in his palace - Shaniwar
Wada - for a while but later moved her out to a house he built in
Kothrud. Earmarking this site, today, is a Mrutyunjay temple on one of
the city's thoroughfare - Karve Road.
There are various
versions both about Mastani's origin and death. The most accepted (now
even by both sides of the family) is that she was the daughter of
Maharaja Chattrasal of Bundelkhand and his Persian wife. She was offered
in marriage to Baji Rao, along with a third of her father's kingdom
(including Jhansi, Sagar and Kalpi) after the Peshwa saved her father
from a Mughal invader - Mohammad Khan Bangash.
Similarly,
while it’s known that Mastani died soon after Baji Rao's death, there
are stories that she either committed suicide by consuming poison or
jumping into his funeral pyre.
Cut to present day. History
and generations have erased any bitterness that may remain between the
two families. Bahadur is a sales officer at DSK Motors Ltd, at Hadapsar.
His distant cousin Peshwa is a Remote Sensing Consultant to the
Government of Maharashtra, Irrigation and Seismicity Projects. Bahadur
had called Peshwa on Sunday to set up the meeting. Peshwa did offer him
dinner, but having already had his dinner on his way back from work,
Bahadur preferred to concentrate on catching up on lost time. He called
his elders back in his village - Pihor - 35 kms from Bhopal and got them
talking to Peshwa. This was done over a box of kaju katli that Bahadur
had brought with him and the rasagullas his host offered.
"It
was a meeting that took place as Umar was keen to meet me. He and his
family members are part of the Peshwa family," says Peshwa. He
enthusiastically introduced his son to Bahadur. "We knew that Mastani
family has been living in and around their ancestral home in
Bundelkhand, but we had no communication." What changed this was a book
on Mastani by Kusum Chopra. Bahadur met Chopra at the Peshwa family's
Ganpati temple at Sarabaug. It was she who gave him Peshwa's contact.
"The
Peshwa has promised me full support in restoration of Mastani shrine at
Pabal. Besides he has pledged support to me in all my endeavours to
preserve the shrine of Mastani and Peshwas, which are in dilapidated
conditions," Bahadur adds. "I want that the interactions of our family
must increase further and our age old ties to strengthen every day. The
marriage of Bajirao with Mastani itself the set the trend of liberalism
in India and we are proud to cherish the legacy each day," he adds.
Peshwa
has now invited Bahadur to attend Baji Rao's birthday celebrations at
Sarasbaug next Sunday. "We have invited him for our family meeting in
the temple as Umar is our family member," he said.
A painted scroll depicting different types of ships of the Maratha Navy including some captured English ships.
Bahadur, who calls himself a Konkanastha Brahmin Muslim, is all ready for the big day.
Respected sir, An interesting read. While we have a royal Scindia family,Holkar family etc we don't have a royal peshwa family!in my opinion only the peshwa family has a right to be called royal as the others were mere stooges of the British . It was the Peshwa who established Scindia Holkar Gaikwad .if Peshwa Baaji Rao I didn't establish them where would they be now? Further it's the Peshwa who challenged and fought the British in 1818.the scindia and Holkar didn't help the Peshwa. In 1857 we have the Peshwa fighting the british. The scindia sided with the british! Sir,I don't know you personally but I have immense respect for you as you are a PESHWA! Regards, Ramakrishnan
Respected sir,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting read.
While we have a royal Scindia family,Holkar family etc we don't have a royal peshwa family!in my opinion only the peshwa family has a right to be called royal as the others were mere stooges of the British .
It was the Peshwa who established Scindia Holkar Gaikwad .if Peshwa Baaji Rao I didn't establish them where would they be now?
Further it's the Peshwa who challenged and fought the British in 1818.the scindia and Holkar didn't help the Peshwa.
In 1857 we have the Peshwa fighting the british. The scindia sided with the british!
Sir,I don't know you personally but I have immense respect for you as you are a PESHWA!
Regards,
Ramakrishnan
yes very true .pls send me other interesting inforamtion of peshwas to pravee65@hotmail.com
DeletePlease have a look at this Blog . This Blog is also about Peshwa and Marathas http://thirdbattleofpanipatmaratha.blogspot.in/
ReplyDeletei fully agree with mr.Ram Krishnan and these descendant of peshwas should be given Royal respect.
ReplyDelete