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{{Short description|Title of the leader of the Maratha Empire}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Peshwa
| body = Maratha Empire
| insignia =
| insigniasize = 150px
| insigniacaption =
| image = Bajirao II Peshwa India.jpg
| imagesize = 125px
| imagecaption = [[Baji Rao II]], the last Peshwa of the [[Maratha Empire]].
| style =
| residence = [[Shaniwar Wada]] (1732-1818)
| appointer = [[Chhatrapati]] (until 1751) [[Hereditary]] (1751-1818)
| appointer_qualified =
| precursor =
| formation = 1674
| first = [[Moropant Trimbak Pingle]]
| last = [[Bajirao II]] [[Nana Saheb|Nana Saheb Peshwa II]] (pretender)
| abolished = 3 June 1818
| succession =
| salary =
| incumbent =
}}
The '''Peshwa''' was the appointed (and later hereditary) [[Prime Minister]] of the [[Maratha Empire]] of the [[Indian subcontinent]]. Originally, the Peshwas served as subordinates to the [[Chhatrapati]] (the Maratha king); later, under the [[Bhat family]], they became the ''de facto'' leaders of the Maratha Confederacy with the Chhatrapati becoming a nominal ruler.<ref name="Mehta2005">{{cite book|author=Jaswant Lal Mehta|title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PR5|date=1 January 2005|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-1-932705-54-6|page=314}}</ref> During the last years of the Maratha Empire, the Peshwas themselves were reduced to titular leaders, and remained under the authority of the Maratha nobles and the [[East India Company|British East India Company]].

All the Peshwas during the rule of [[Chhatrapati]] [[Shivaji]], [[Sambhaji]] and [[Rajaram I|Rajaram]] belonged to [[Deshastha Brahmin]] community.{{sfn|Prasad|2007|p=88}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Maratha Confederacy: A Study in Its Origin and Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulFuAAAAMAAJ|author=Vasant S. Kadam|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|year=1993|page=49|isbn = 9788121505703|quote=Under Shivaji the Great, Sambhaji and Rajaram all the incumbents of the office of Peshwa were from the Deshastha (residing in the Desh area of Maharashtra) subcaste of the Brahmans.}}</ref> The first Peshwa was [[Moropant Trimbak Pingle|Moropant Pingle]], who was appointed as the head of the [[Ashta Pradhan]] (council of eight ministers) by Chhatrapati [[Shivaji]], the founder of the Maratha Empire. The initial Peshwas were all ministers who served as the chief executives to the king. The later Peshwas held the highest administrative office and also controlled the Maratha confederacy. Under the [[Chitpavan Brahmin]] [[Bhat family]], the Peshwas became the ''de facto'' hereditary administrators of the Confederacy. The Peshwa's office was most powerful under [[Baji Rao I]] (r. 1720-1740). Under Peshwa administration and with the support of several key generals and diplomats, the Maratha Empire reached its zenith, ruling major areas of [[India]]. The subsequent Peshwas brought in autonomy and as a result later on many provinces were controlled and administered by the Maratha nobles such as [[Scindia]]s and [[Gaekwad dynasty|Gaekwads]].

==First use==
[[File:Joppen1907India1795a.jpg|thumb|Extent of the [[Maratha Confederacy]], 1795]]
The word Peshwa is from [[Persian language|Persian]] {{Wikt-lang|fa|پیشوا}} ''pēshwā'', meaning "foremost, leader".<ref>under Jahangir, M. Learning focus. Longman History & Civics ICSE 7, 84.</ref>
After the coronation of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674, he appointed [[Moropant Peshwe|Moropant Trimbak Pingle]]{{Sfn|Kulkarni|1996|p=47}} as the first Peshwa. Shivaji renamed this designation as ''Pantpradhan'' in 1674 but this term was less commonly used. Moropant Trimbak Pingale's son, [[Moreshvar Pingale|Nilopant Moreshvar Pingale]], succeeded him during [[Sambhaji]]'s rule after Moropant Pingle's death in 1683.{{Sfn|Joshi|1980|p=112}}

==Ramchandra Pant Amatya (Bawadekar)==
[[Ramchandra Pant Amatya|Ramchandra Amatya]] recaptured many forts from the [[Mughals]] between 1690 and 1694, some in person, as well as personally conducting guerilla war techniques. When [[Rajaram Chhatrapati|Chhatrapati Rajaram]] fled to Jinji in 1689, before leaving from Maharashtra, he gave "Hukumat panha" (King Status) to Pant. Ramchandra Pant managed the entire state under many challenges such as the Mughal influx, the betrayal of Vatandars (Feudal Chiefs), and scarcity of food. With his help, Sachiv kept the Maratha State on a sound economic footing.<ref>{{cite book|title=Studies in Indian History: Historical Records at Goa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VLEo_DUL9XgC&pg=PA42|publisher=Asian Educational Services|author=Surendranath Sen, Surendra Nath Sen|page=42|year=1993|isbn = 9788120607736}}</ref>

==Bhat Family==
{{Main|Bhat family}}
[[File:Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.jpg|thumb|left|Statue of [[Balaji Vishwanath]], the first Peshwa from the [[Bhat family]], at [[Shrivardhan]], [[Raigad district]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]].]]
[[File:Bajirao Peshwa.jpg|thumb|right|Statue of [[Bajirao I]], the second Peshwa from the [[Bhat family]], outside [[Shaniwar Wada]], [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]].]]
The Maratha war of succession between Tara Bai and Shahu resulted in latter's victory and assumption of Maratha throne as Chhatrapati. In 1713, Shahu appointed [[Balaji Vishwanath|Balaji Vishwanath (Bhat)]], as Peshwa. The appointment of Balaji's son, [[Bajirao|Baji Rao I]], as Peshwa in 1719 by Shahu made the position hereditary in the Bhat family. Baji Rao proved his loyalty by controlling the feudal chieftains who wanted independence from the Maratha Empire. The rebellion of General Trimbak Rao Dabhade, the ''[[senapati]]'' (commander in chief), over [[Chauth]]ai (revenue collection) of Gujarat is one example of such internal Maratha feuds. The followers of Baji and Trimbak clashed at the Battle of Bilhapur on April 1, 1731, and Trimbak was killed. In gratitude, Shahu gave the Peshwas and the Bhat family unchallenged control over Maratha empire.<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica'', Micropædia Vol. II, p17</ref> who also appointed Baji Rao's son as Peshwa in 1740, gave considerable authority to the Peshwas to command the Maratha armies, and they responded well during his reigns.

At the time of his death in 1749, Shahu made the Peshwas his successors under these conditions: Shivaji's descendants, who remained as the titular Raja of [[Satara State|Satara]], were called ''Swami'' ([[Marathi language|Marathi]] for the 'real owner') by the Peshwas who reported to them, and officially they were to seek guidance from the Raja. However, the Peshwa also became a ceremonial head of state after the battle of Panipat and the death of [[Madhavrao II Ballal|Madhavrao]].
[[File:Shaniwarwada gate.JPG|thumb|[[Shaniwar Wada]]'s Delhi Gate. It was the seat of the Peshwas at [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]].]]

==Legacy==
The first Peshwa to receive the status of a pantpradhan was Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bawdekar in 1689 by Chhatrapati Rajaram. The first (Bhat) Deshmukh family Peshwa was Balaji Vishwanath (Bhat) Deshmukh. He was succeeded as Peshwa by his son [[Baji Rao I]], who never lost a battle. Baji Rao and his son, Balaji Baji Rao, oversaw the period of greatest<ref>Shirgaonkar, Varsha S. "Peshwyanche Vilasi Jeevan" (Luxurious Life of Peshwas). Continental Prakashan, Pune (2012). {{ISBN|8174210636}}. In Marathi.</ref> Maratha expansion, brought to an end by the Marathas' defeat by an [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] army at the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] in 1761. The last Peshwa, [[Baji Rao II]], was defeated by the [[British East India Company]] in the [[Battle of Khadki]] which was a part of [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]] (1817–1818). The Peshwa's land (Peshwai) was annexed to the [[British East India Company]]'s [[Bombay state|Bombay province]], and Bajirao II, the Peshwa was pensioned off.

==List of Peshwas==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! |Sr.
! |Name
! |Reign Began C.E.
! |Reign Ended C.E.
|-
! 1
|[[Moropant Trimbak Pingle]]
|1674
|1683
|-
!2
|[[Moreshvar Pingale|Nilakanth Moreshvar Pingale]]
|1683
|1689
|-
!3
|[[Ramchandra Pant Amatya]]
|1689
|1708
|-
!4
|[[Bahiroji Pingale]]
|1708
|1711
|-
!5
|[[Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi|Parshuram Trimbak Kulkarni]]
|1711
|1713
|-
|}

=== Hereditary Peshwas from Bhat family ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:6%;"|Sr.
! style="width:10%;"|Name
! style="width:60%;"|Particulars
! style="width:7%;"|Reign Began C.E.
! style="width:7%;"|Reign Ended C.E.
! style="width:10%;"|Portrait
|-
! 1
| [[Balaji Vishwanath]] (Sixth appointed Peshwa)
| Assisted the [[Sayyid Brothers|Syed Brothers]] in deposing the Mughal Emperor [[Farrukhsiyar]] in 1719
| align=center|1713
| align=center|1720
| align=center|[[File:His Highness Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 2
| [[Bajirao|Baji Rao I]] (Seventh appointed Peshwa)
| Known as Thorle (elder) Bajirao and acknowledged as the most influential of the nine Peshwas. Said to have fought for the establishment of "Hindu Pad Padshahi"(Hindu Empire). Helped conquer Central India ([[Malwa]]) and [[Rajputana]] and extended his dominions into [[Gujarat]] in the northwest and Deccan in the south. [[First Battle of Delhi|Raided]] Mughal Delhi in 1737. Fought in over 41 battles and is one of the few to have never lost a single battle. Died at the age of 40 of sudden fever in camp en route to Delhi; he has been commemorated in the form of an equestrian statue erected at [[Shaniwar Wada]] in Pune.
| align=center|1720
| align=center|1740
| align=center|[[File:Peshwa Baji Rao I riding horse.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 3
| [[Nanasaheb Peshwa|Balaji Bajirao]] (Eigth appointed Peshwa)
| Known as Nanasaheb Peshwa. Managed to extend the Maratha territories into most of North-West, East and Central India. Captured [[Attock]] on the banks of [[Indus River]] and [[Peshawar]] in 1758 in the [[Battle of Attock, 1758]]. Under his leadership, the Maratha Empire reached its peak but his general and cousin lost the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] against Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761. Contributed to the development of the city of Pune which was the seat of the Peshwas. Built the famous [[Parvati Temple, Pune|Parvati Temple]], Lakdi Pool and established Nana Peth (area) in Pune. Built a water reservoir near [[Katraj]] to provide clean water to Pune city; this 250-year-old system is still functioning.
| align=center|1740
| align=center|1761
| align=center|[[File:Painting at Prince of Wales museum.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 4
| [[Madhavrao I|Madhav-Rao I]] (First hereditary Peshwa)
| Fraught with internal dissensions and successful Wars with the [[Nizam]]. During his tenure, Maratha power recovered from the losses suffered during the Third Battle of Panipat, a phenomenon known as [[Maratha Resurrection]]. Repaired the recently weakened administration, treasury, and accounts of the Maratha Empire. He died of tuberculosis in 1772; a memorial commemorating his greatness stands at Peshwe Park in Pune. One of the theory says that he was assassinated by her aunt, Anandi Bai (wife of Raghunath Rao).
| align=center|1761
| align=center|1772
| align=center|[[File:Madhavrao I Peshwa.png|70px]]
|-
! 5
| [[Narayanrao Peshwa|Narayan-Rao]]
| Assassinated by Gardi guards. Raghunath Rao was in favor of just kidnapping him and accordingly he used the code "DHARA". But Anandi Bai (wife of Raghunath Rao) changed the code to "MAARA". Narayan Rao was assassinated in Shanivar Wada. Now a days, it is considered one of the haunted place in Maharashtra.
| align=center|1772
| align=center|1773
| align=center| [[File:Narayan Rao.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 6
| [[Raghunathrao|Raghunath-Rao]]
| Responsible for extending the Maratha empire to the zenith in the North as a General and also saw the decline of Maratha power in North India. Deposed by [[Nana Phadnis]] and 11 other administrators in what is now called "The Baarbhai Conspiracy"
| align=center|1773
| align=center|1774
| align=center|[[File:Ragonath Row Ballajee.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 7
| [[Madhavrao II|Madhav-Rao II]]
| Appointed Peshwa as an infant with a council of Maratha Generals and ministers as regents. Era dominated by the political intrigues of [[Nana Phadnis]]. Saw the resurgence of Maratha power in North India.
| align=center|1774
| align=center|1796
| align=center|[[File:Madhu Rao Narayan the Maratha Peshwa with Nana Fadnavis and attendants Poona 1792 by James Wales.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 8
| [[Baji Rao II]]
| ''1st Reign'' - Was defeated by [[Yashwantrao Holkar]], ruler of [[Indore]], at the [[Battle of Poona]]. Fled to [[East India Company|British]] protection, and in December 1802, concluded the [[Treaty of Bassein (1802)|Treaty of Bassein]] with the [[British East India Company]], ceding territory for the maintenance of a subsidiary force and agreeing to treaty with no other power. This provoked the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] that began the breakup of the [[Maratha confederacy]].
| align=center|1796
| align=center|1802
| align=center|[[File:Baji Rao II.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 9
| [[Amrut Rao]]<ref>Wg Cdr (Retd.) Dr. M. S. Narawane, Battles of the Honourable East India Company. pg 65</ref><ref>Jadunath Sarkar, Fall of the Mughal Empire:1789-1803. pg 179</ref> (Appointed as Peshwa by [[Yashwantrao Holkar]])
| Appointed Peshwa by [[Yashwantrao Holkar]] after defeating [[Baji Rao II]] and [[Daulat Rao Sindhia]] in [[Battle of Poona]].
| align=center|1802
| align=center|1803
| align=center|
|-
! 10
| [[Baji Rao II]]
| ''2nd Reign'' - During his second reign began the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]]. After the defeat at the [[Battle of Koregaon]] in January 1818, he was on the run from the British. Eventually, the British took over his dominion and made the Maratha King Pratap Singh of Satara declare in favour of the British. This ended the Peshwa's legal position as head of the [[Maratha confederacy]]. On 3 June 1818, Baji Rao surrendered to the British; he was banished to [[Bithur]] near [[Kanpur]].
| align=center|1803
| align=center|1818
| align=center|[[File:Baji Rao II.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 11
| [[Nana Sahib]] (Pretender of the position of the Peshwa)
| Was a leader during the [[Rebellion of 1857|Indian Uprising of 1857]]. As the adopted son of the exiled Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II, he sought to restore the [[Maratha confederacy]] and the Peshwa tradition.
| align=center|1851
| align=center|1857
| align=center|[[File:Peshwa of Kanpur.jpg|70px]]
|-
! 12
| Baji Rao III (Pretender of the position of the Peshwa)
| Was a Son of [[Nana Sahib]]
|-
! 13
| Sanjeev Rao Bhau (Pretender of the position of the Peshwa)
| Was a son of [[Nana Sahib]]
|}

==Notable generals and diplomats==
[[File:Madhu Rao Narayan the Maratha Peshwa with Nana Fadnavis and attendants Poona 1792 by James Wales.jpg|thumb|[[Madhavrao II|His Highness Shrimant Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa or Madhav Rao II Narayan]] and his [[Prime minister]] [[Nana Phadnavis]], with two attendants at [[Pune]].]]
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Annaji Datto Sachiv]]
* [[Balaji Kunjar]]
* [[Bapu Gokhale]]
* [[Govind Pant Bundela]]
* [[Ibrahim Khan Gardi]]
* [[Mahadaji Shinde]]
* [[Malhar Rao Holkar]]
* [[Nana Fadnavis|Nana Phadnawis]]
* [[Niranjan Madhav|Niranjan Madhav Parasnis]]
* [[Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi]]
* [[Pilaji Rao Gaekwad]]
* [[Ranoji Scindia]]
* [[Sadashivrao Bhau]]
* [[Santaji Ghorpade]]
* [[Shamsher Bahadur I (Krishna Rao)|Shamsher Bahadur]]
* [[Visaji Krushna Biniwale]]
{{div col end}}

==In popular culture==

*Kaustubh Kasture has written a book in marathi titled ”Peshwai-Maharashtrachya Itihasatil Ek Suvarnapan" based on Peshwai.<ref>https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29345449-peshwai</ref>
*Pramod Oak has written a book in marathi titled "Peshwe Gharanyacha Itihas" where he gave detailed information about Peshwas of Bhat family.<ref>https://continentalprakashan.com/index.php?id_product=1597&controller=product&id_lang=1&search_query=Pramod+oak&results=7</ref>

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Maratha titles]]
* [[Maratha clan system]]
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]
* [[Peshawe Family]]
* [[List of people involved in the Maratha Empire]]

{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|title=Marathas and the Marathas Country: The Marathas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kyBuAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=Books & Books|first=A.R|last=Kulkarni|isbn = 9788185016504}}
*{{cite book|title=Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 A.D|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ngBAAAAMAAJ|year=1980|publisher=s.chand|first=Pandit Shankar|last=Joshi}}

{{MarathaEmpire}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peshwa}}
[[Category:Peshwa dynasty| ]]
[[Category:Hindu dynasties]]
[[Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:History of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:Heads of government]]

Peshwa - Revision history

imported>Doremo: considered as one of → considered one of