Peshwa Period & Maratha Wars
Maharashtra GK · पेशवा काल और मराठा युद्ध · 18 facts
Peshwa: Prime Minister in Maratha Empire's Ashtapradhan; from 1713, Pune became the Peshwa's capital
Bajirao I (1720-1740): Greatest Peshwa; never lost a battle in 41 battles; expanded Maratha Empire to Delhi
Bajirao I's Battle of Palkhed (1728): Decisive defeat of Nizam of Hyderabad; secured Maratha dominance in Deccan
Marathas at their peak (1758): Controlled most of India from Punjab to Karnataka; empire reached maximum extent
3rd Battle of Panipat (14 January 1761): Maratha forces defeated by Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali); 40,000+ died
Vishwasrao Peshwa (son of Nanasaheb Peshwa) and Bhausaheb (Vishwasrao's uncle) both died at Panipat 1761
Madhavrao I Peshwa (1761-1772): Rebuilt Maratha Empire after Panipat disaster; most capable Peshwa after Bajirao I
Treaty of Purandar (1776): Maratha Peshwa signed with British East India Company; Salsette island ceded to British
1st Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782): Marathas won; Treaty of Salbai restored status quo
2nd Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805): British defeated Scindia and Bhonsle; Delhi and Agra came under British
3rd Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818): British defeated the entire Maratha Confederacy; Peshwa surrendered
Battle of Koregaon (1 January 1818): British-led force including Mahar soldiers defeated Peshwa army — politically significant
Maratha Confederacy ended in 1818: Peshwa Bajirao II exiled to Bithur (UP); Maratha territories absorbed into British India
Shaniwarwada (1732): Peshwa palace in Pune — was Maratha political nerve center until mysterious fire in 1828
Maratha Confederacy: Loose federation of Scindia (Gwalior), Holkar (Indore), Bhonsle (Nagpur), Gaekwad (Baroda)
Nana Saheb Peshwa (1824-1859): Adopted son of last Peshwa; played major role in 1857 revolt at Kanpur
Tatya Tope: Military commander of Nana Saheb in 1857 revolt; hanged at Shivpuri on 18 April 1859
Peshwa era contribution: Pune became a major learning center; Deccan College founded 1821 is legacy of this period