Peshwa Period & Maratha Wars
Maharashtra GK · पेशवा काल और मराठा युद्ध
📋Quick Overview
After Shivaji, the Peshwas (Prime Ministers from the Brahmin Bhat family) became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire. The most powerful Peshwa was Baji Rao I (1720–1740) who never lost a battle. The Maratha Confederacy expanded to cover much of India. However, the defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against Ahmad Shah Abdali severely weakened them, and the three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–1819) ultimately ended Maratha power.
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Baji Rao I is called the 'greatest Peshwa' — he never lost a single battle in his career (1720–1740)
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Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Marathas vs Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) — Marathas suffered catastrophic defeat
📖The Peshwas — Key Facts
| Peshwa | Period | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Balaji Vishwanath (1st Peshwa) | 1713–1720 | First Peshwa; made Peshwa post hereditary; helped Shahu Maharaj consolidate power |
| Baji Rao I (Greatest Peshwa) | 1720–1740 | Never lost a battle; expanded Maratha to Bundelkhand, Malwa, Rajputana; battles of Palkhed (1728) |
| Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) | 1740–1761 | Under him Marathas reached their peak territory; responsible for 3rd Panipat (1761) |
| Madhavrao I (Brilliant Peshwa) | 1761–1772 | Revived Maratha power after Panipat; called 'Thorla Madhavrao' (Elder Madhavrao) |
| Baji Rao II (Last Peshwa) | 1796–1818 | Signed Treaty of Bassein (1802) with British; last Peshwa; exiled to Bithur (Kanpur) |
📖Three Anglo-Maratha Wars
| War | Period | Key Event/Treaty | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Anglo-Maratha War | 1775–1782 | Treaty of Salbai (1782) | Status quo; British gained Salsette island; Marathas retained most territory |
| 2nd Anglo-Maratha War | 1803–1805 | Treaty of Deogaon, Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon | British gained Delhi, Agra; Scindia and Bhonsle defeated |
| 3rd Anglo-Maratha War | 1817–1819 | Treaty of Poona, Treaty of Nagpur | Complete end of Maratha power; Peshwa Baji Rao II surrendered; Maratha Confederacy dissolved |
📝Maratha Confederacy — 5 Key Clans
- •Scindia (Shinde): Based at Gwalior; Mahadji Scindia was the most powerful; current Jyotiraditya Scindia is a descendant
- •Holkar: Based at Indore; Ahilya Bai Holkar (1767–1795) was the most celebrated ruler — built temples across India; revived Maheshwari saree
- •Bhonsle: Based at Nagpur; not related to Shivaji's Bhonsle but a separate Maratha clan; Third Anglo-Maratha War led to their defeat
- •Gaekwad (Gaekwar): Based at Baroda (Vadodara, Gujarat); survived as Baroda Princely State till 1947
- •Peshwa: Based at Pune (Poona); most powerful and central position — held real authority of Maratha empire
📝Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
- •Fought on January 14, 1761 — Marathas (led by Vishwasrao and Bhau Saheb) vs Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani/Afghan) with ally Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daula)
- •Maratha commanders Vishwasrao (Peshwa's son) and Bhau Saheb (Sadashivrao Bhau) were killed; estimated 40,000–100,000 Maratha soldiers died
- •Known as 'the Great Catastrophe' (Bharatbhet) in Maratha history — most devastating defeat
- •Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) died in grief after hearing about the defeat in 1761