301 years ago, on 17th April 1720, this man became the Prime Minister or Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. In 20 years, he substantially and irrevocably changed the political and cultural map of the Indian Subcontinent. The legacy of this man would define the next half a century in India, and his achievements would become legend. This man was Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Bhat.
In this article, we look at his incredible achievements, to better understand why he is counted among the foremost military commanders and empire-builders in the Indian Subcontinent.
Appointment as Peshwa
In April 1720, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the Maratha Emperor faced a problem.
Only the previous year, his experienced Prime Minister, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Bhat had returned from Delhi. He had secured from the Mughals the independence of the Maratha Swarajya, the release of the Chhatrapati’s mother and wife, and the rights to collect taxes from the 6 Deccan provinces. But now, Balaji had passed away. The fledgling Maratha Empire still faced many internal and external enemies, and the Chhatrapati knew he needed a dynamic young leader to consolidate his power and defeat them.
It was then that he was reminded of Balaji’s charismatic elder son, Bajirao Ballal Bhat, renowned as a warrior. Bajirao had accompanied his father to Delhi, fought against the Mughals and protected Shahu’s family. He was barely 19 years old, but Shahu Maharaj had an eye for talent. Accordingly, on 17th April, Chhatrapati Shahu appointed Bajirao as his new Peshwa; a decision that would alter the fate of the Subcontinent.
The Challenges
Peshwa Bajirao Ballal ascended to his Seat, supported by his experienced mother Radhabai, his loving wife Kashibai, and his ever-loyal younger brother Chimaji Appa. However, he had several problems to face.
The Uncooperative Ministers
The decision to appoint a 19-year old ‘boy’ as Prime Minister did not sit well with senior ministers such as the Pratinidhi (Viceroy), Mantri (Interior Minister) and Sumant (Foreign Minister). Bajirao soon realized they wouldn’t support him; and found their policies too cautious and defensive. However, Bajirao had grown up listening to the heroic exploits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and longed to fulfill his dream of Hindavi Swarajya.
Numerous Powerful Enemies
The Marathas had won their independence, but were still surrounded by enemies. On the west coast, the Portuguese controlled vast parts of the Konkan and Goa, perpetrating forceful conversions on people. The Siddis troubled the Marathas from Janjira, and the British from Bombay. To the east, Nizam ul-Mulk refused to let them collect the taxes as agreed; while in the north, the declining Mughal Empire still had vast resources. Worse, Raja Sambhaji II of Kolhapur, cousin of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, wanted to usurp the senior throne and become Chhatrapati himself!
Decentralized Maratha Power
After the death of Aurangzeb, the Marathas had grown very powerful. However, the individual Maratha sardars were quite autonomous, and apart from the taxes and armies supplied to the Empire, thought mainly about their benefit. They needed a strong, uniform, centralized leadership which the aging Chhatrapati couldn’t provide.
Military Leadership and Reforms
Addressing these challenges, he gathered around him a number of young warriors- his brother Chimaji Appa, Fateh Sinh Bhonsale (the Chhatrapati’s adopted son), Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, Udaji Pawar and his brothers. He also earned the support of the veterans Ambajipant Purandare and Pilaji Jadhavrao, the Army Commander, Senapati Khanderao Dabhade, and the Navy Admiral, Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre.
Taking charge of the Empire’s central military, Bajirao trained them with discipline and rigor, making them a force to be reckoned with. Having studied their enemies, he knew their cannons and artillery were far superior to the Marathas. Hence, he decided to focus on the cavalry division and carry out guerrilla warfare which was their traditional expertise. He introduced several reforms to his troops:
- His army carried 3 horses between each 2 men, of which one was always without any load. This ensured that if one horse got tired, they would immediately replace it with the free horse, and allow the tired one to run unburdened. This allowed them to cover very long distances with lightning speed, only stopping when the riders themselves had to sleep.
- He ensured that they traveled light, carrying nothing but their weapons and light armor. The troops lived off the land, hunting in the forests, buying food from farmers, or looting enemy supplies. Sometimes, they even left their tents behind for speed and slept upon their saddles!
- He trained his troops to always trap the enemy at a location favorable to them. There, they would cut off the enemy’s food and water supply, bringing even the toughest army to its knees!
Early Years
In his very first year he assisted Kanhoji Angre in defeating the British fleet; while in 1724, he helped the rebel Nizam ul-Mulk to defeat Mughal forces. Since his visit to Delhi, Peshwa Bajirao had observed the weakness and decadence of the Mughals. Now, he knew the time was right to go on the offensive.
One day, in a meeting of all the ministers at court, Bajirao thunderously declared his grand vision:
“The (Mughal) paatshahi is weak, has no life left in it…Give us the order! I will bring armies and treasures and place them at the feet of the swami (Chhatrapati). I will counter the Nizam (in South India) and campaign in Hindustan (North India) as well! The Thorle Maharaj (Chhatrapati Shivaji) wished to capture Hindustan; that remains incomplete. It is for this purpose that swami has risen to power.
Strike! 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!”
Hearing this, Shahu Maharaj exclaimed, “With such men in my service, I can take the boundaries beyond the Himalayas!” And so they set out to create the Hindavi Swarajya of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s dreams!
The Karnataka Campaigns
In 1725, Peshwa Bajirao led his first successful expedition into the Karnatak along with Fateh Sinh Bhonsale, the Senapati, and Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi. The Marathas proceeded via Bijapur to Chitaldurg, collecting their taxes, renewing their alliances, and defeating those who opposed them. Also, Fateh Sinh took some forces to Thanjavur (in Tamil Nadu) where ruled the Chhatrapati’s cousin Raja Sharfoji Bhonsale, and renewed their old alliance.
The next year Bajirao campaigned south again, reaching as far as Srirangapatnam, created alliances with the Nawabs of Bednur and Arcot, resolving their disputes with Raja Sharfoji and establishing peace. However, before he could proceed further, he received an urgent summons from his Emperor.
Taking advantage of the Maratha army’s absence, Nizam-ul-Mulk had supported Sambhaji II of Kolhapur and marched against Shahu Maharaj. Of course, his actual goal was to destroy Shahu and appoint Sambhaji II as his own puppet! But just when all seemed lost, Bajirao returned. Sending Chimaji Appa with Shahu Maharaj to the safety of Purandar fort, Peshwa Bajirao Ballal then rode into battle.
The Battle of Palkhed
The Nizam, Sambhaji II and their armies began ravaging Pune and adjoining areas. Here, the Nizam arranged Sambhaji’s marriage and announced him as the new Chhatrapati! With his powerful cannons he began capturing nearby forts. By attacking Bajirao’s home, the Nizam wanted to bring him into open confrontation. After all, if a man’s home was attacked, wouldn’t he rush to defend it?
Instead, Bajirao set out with his trusted Sardars- Holkar, Shinde, Pawar, Somvanshi- and a pure cavalry force. Using guerrilla tactics, he plundered the Nizam’s territory at Jalna and Sindkhed, defeating Aiwaz Khan. Then ravaging through the Varhad region, he crossed Khandesh with lightning speed and reached Gujarat! Here, he encouraged the Mughal Subhedar to attack the Nizam! Then, he spread a rumor that he would attack the Nizam’s wealthy cities of Burhanpur and Aurangabad. The Nizam fell prey to the same tactic he had tried to use- he abandoned his campaign and returned to protect his home!
The Nizam Surrenders
With his immense speed, Bajirao was covering 3 times the distance of the Nizam. So, the Nizam left his heavy cannons and supplies behind to increase his speed. This was exactly what Bajirao had been waiting for! With deadly speed, he trapped the Nizam at Palkhed in February 1728. With no food, no water, no cannons, the Nizam was helpless. The Maratha cavalry continuously circled his camp from the thick forests, killing anyone who tried to escape.
Within a week, the Nizam surrendered, and signed the Treaty of Mungi-Shevgaon. In it, he agreed to accept Shahu Maharaj as the Chhatrapati of the Marathas, withdraw his support to Sambhaji II, restore all the captured land, and faithfully pay the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi taxes of the six Deccan provinces to Shahu Maharaj. Thus, Peshwa Bajirao defeated the Nizam, a wily strategist who was 30 years older and had been trained by Aurangzeb himself!
Consequently, eminent Indian historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar called Bajirao a ‘heaven-born cavalry leader’ for these tactics. British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery called the Battle of Palkhed ‘a masterpiece of strategic mobility’, and used similar tactics to defeat Nazi German forces in 1942!
The Battle of Amjhera
In the same year, Bajirao sent his brother Chimaji Appa, along with Malharrao Holkar and Udaji Pawar into the rich province of Malwa (modern Madhya Pradesh). However, the veteran Rajput Giridhar Bahadur, Mughal Subhedar, moved to oppose Chimaji along with his brother Daya Bahadur. The Mughal forces expected the Marathas to take a direct route over Tanda ghat; however, Chimaji crossed through an eastern route and surprised them at Amjhera.
In a long, fierce battle, the Bahadur brothers and their army was destroyed. Shock waves reverberated throughout the Mughal Empire, as one by one, the local lords of Malwa began accepting Maratha rule. At this very time, Peshwa Bajirao received a plea for help that would change his life!
The Battle of Jaitpur- Bundelkhand Campaign
In 1672, a young Bundela Rajput nobleman, Chhatrasal had visited Shivaji Maharaj seeking employment. Instead, Shivaji Maharaj had inspired Chhatrasal to fight the Mughals and raise his own Swarajya in Bundelkhand (part of Uttar Pradesh), and promised his help. Over 55 years, Chhatrasal created and successfully defended his kingdom. But in 1729, the old king approaching age 80 was finally captured by Mughal Subhedar Muhammad Khan Bangash. Desperately, he asked for help from the Maratha Peshwa.
Without a thought for personal benefit, Peshwa Bajirao led his armies over 500 kilometers through hilly, unfrequented paths to reach an escaped Raja Chhatrasal. Together, their forces marched through such an unknown route that Bangash didn’t even know until they were just 20 km away! Hurriedly, Bangash started defending Jaitpur Fort, and called his son Qaim Khan with an army of 30,000 more to join him.
Alliance with Bundela Rajputs
It was no use. The Marathas and Bundelas defeated Qaim Khan and besieged Jaitpur. As the summer heat increased and food ran out, the Mughal soldiers began starving so badly that they began killing and eating their horses. Soon, the soldiers abandoned Bangash, and he was forced to surrender, sign a treaty and swear an oath to never again attack Bundelkhand.
Raja Chhatrasal was overjoyed! And so, amid great celebration, he declared Bajirao as his third son and gave him one-third of his kingdom as a gift. Additionally, he also asked Bajirao to marry his favorite daughter- Mastani, born of a Muslim concubine. Contrary to popular tales, the marriage was a politically arranged alliance. It gave the Bundelas a powerful protector; while to the Marathas, it gave a firm base in North India to plan campaigns against the ultimate target- Delhi!
Deep Singh’s Diplomatic Mission
The next year, Shahu Maharaj himself led an army against Sambhaji II, and forced him to surrender. Magnanimously, he allowed Sambhaji to keep his kingdom of Kolhapur and title himself Chhatrapati so long as he acknowledged Shahu’s supremacy. Soon, the two cousins became allies.
Thus by 1730, the Marathas had risen to great power, resolved major internal differences, and inflicted great defeats to the Mughals. Worried, the court of Delhi decided to send a diplomatic mission led by Rajput envoy Deep Singh of Jaipur to the Deccan, to meet the Marathas and ascertain their demands. When he visited the Nizam, their recorded conversation gives a great insight about Bajirao’s stature!
Nizam: Whom do you find worthy of trust and respect at Satara? Who commands the Raja’s confidence?
Deep Singh: Of course Bajirao! No one else at Shahu’s court can equal Bajirao in valor, integrity, diplomatic talent, or organizational capacity. He is the man who pre-eminently rules the Maratha court…his army trusts him as a superior personality.
At 30 years, Bajirao had thus already proved his capabilities throughout India. Now, he was planning his next move to make the Marathas the supreme power in the Subcontinent!
So what happened next? Find out in Part 2 on Peshwa Bajirao, coming soon!
– Ashutosh Dixit
References:
- The Era of Bajirao- Dr. Uday Kulkarni
- New History of the Marathas- G.S. Sardesai
- Peshwa Bajirao I and the Maratha Expansion- Prof. V.G. Dighe
Excellent article! Very detailed information about important life events and achievements of a great ruler – Thorale (senior) Bajirao Anxiously waiting for the second half!!
Great Peshwa Bajirao. Nice article. looking forward for part II.
Great article highlighting the leadership and strategic thinking of Shrimant Peshwa Bajirao I! Especially appreciated how it connects the legend with contemporary accounts and historical significance as well as with popular tales. Looking forward to Part 2.
Engrossing!
श्रीमंत बाजीराव पेशवे ह्यांच्या जीवनावरील माहितीपूर्ण लेख . पुढील लेखाची प्रतीक्षा आहे .
A very engrossing read! Eagerly waiting for the second part.
Very engaging and informative. Waiting for the second part.
Hi..
I loved it!
I usually don’t read historic writeups. But this was engaging. I liked the maps, pictures. The language established a connect with the content, as it felt any reader would feel comfortable reading the context.
Thanks for writing this! Good work!
All the best for the next one!
This is a nice and precise history of Bajirao the great. The events are described in short but they highlight the incidents correctly and bring out the skills of Bajirao.
The young generation should read such articles to know their glorious past.