Peshwa Baji Rao

History Of Peshwa Baji Rao

Full Name: Pantpradhan Shreemant Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Balaji Bhat

Date and Place of Birth: 18 August 1700, Shrivardhan

Death: 28 April 1740, Khargone

Father: Balaji Vishwanath Bhat

Mother: Radhabai Barve

Children: Balaji Baji Rao, Samsher Bahadur I, Raghunathrao

Bajirao Ballal was born on August 18, 1700 as the eldest son of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Rao.

He belonged to the reputed, traditional Chit-Pawan Brahmin family of Konkan. Bajirao was guided to the battlefront at the age of 12 by his father.

Peshwa Bajirao I served as the Peshwa (Prime Minister) from the year 1720 until his death. Bajirao's potential as a warrior was duly recognized by the emperor Shahu Maharaj (the fifth Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire) and was therefore made as the Peshwa upon the death of his father.

During his 20 years of military course, Peshwa Bajirao I was never beaten in a battle and had always rejoiced victory. He is one of the three Generals in the history of the world who never lost a battle.

Malwa (1723), Dhar (1724), Aurangabad (1724), Battle of Palkhed (1728), Firozabad (1737), Delhi (1737), Bhopal (1738) and Battle of Vasai (1739) were some of the major battles won by Bajirao.

Bajirao’s first campaign in the north-west started from 1723 with the victory of Malwa followed by Gujarat.

Bajirao Ballal has been described as the incarnation of Hindu energy, striving for 20 years to establish the Hindu Padshahi.

On April 28, 1740, while preparing to march out with his army to reach Delhi with his 1,00,000 troops, Bajirao fell ill with fever and passed away in the village of RawarKhedi near the banks of Narmada.