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| {{Short description|Prime minister of the Maratha Empire (reigned 1720–40)}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Bajirao I]] |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
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| {{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
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| {{Infobox officeholder
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| | honorific_prefix =
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| | office = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|33x30px]] 7th [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire]]
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| | image = Baji Rao I.png
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| | alt =
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| | caption = Portrait of Baji Rao I riding a horse
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| | monarch = [[Shahu I|Shahu Maharaj I]]
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| | predecessor = [[Balaji Vishwanath]]
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| | successor = [[Balaji Baji Rao|Balaji Rao]]
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| | birth_date = {{Birth date|1700|08|18|df=y}}
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| | birth_place = Dubere, [[Sinnar]], [[Maratha Empire]] (present-day [[Nashik]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]])
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| | death_date = {{Death date and age|1740|04|28|1700|08|18|df=y}}
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| | death_place = Rawerkhedi, [[Maratha Confederacy]] (present-day [[Khargone district]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], India)
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| | spouse = {{unbulleted list |[[Kashibai]]|[[Mastani]]}}
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| | relations = {{unbulleted list |[[Chimaji Appa]] (brother)|Bhiubai Joshi (sister)|Anubai Ghorpade (sister)|[[Sadashivrao Bhau|Sadashiv Rao]] (nephew)}}
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| | children = {{unbulleted list |[[Balaji Baji Rao]]|Ramchandra Rao|[[Shamsher Bahadur I (Krishna Rao)|Shamsher Bahadur]]
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| |[[Raghunath Rao]]|Janardhan Rao}}
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| | father = [[Balaji Vishwanath]]
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| | mother = Radhabai Barve
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| | term_start = {{start date|1720|4|17|df=y}}
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| | term_end = {{end date|1740|4|28|df=y}}
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| | name =
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| | Religion =
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| | birth_name =
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| | signature = Bajirao I signature.png
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| '''Baji Rao I''' (18 August 1700 – 28 April 1740), born as '''Visaji''',<ref name="GSC_2005">{{cite book |last=Chhabra |first=G. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UkDi6rVbckoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India (Volume 1: 1707–1813) |publisher=Lotus Press |year=2005 |edition=Revised |orig-year=1971 |isbn=978-81-89093-06-8 |page=19}}</ref> also known as '''Bajirao Ballal''' (Pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[bad͡ʒiɾaːʋ bəlːaːɭ]]]), <ref>{{cite book |first=Sandhya |last=Gokhale |title=The Chitpavans: social ascendancy of a creative minority in Maharashtra, 1818–1918 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ez4wAQAAIAAJ |year=2008 |publisher=Shubhi |isbn=978-81-8290-132-2 |page=82 }}</ref> was the 7th [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire]]. During his 20-year tenure as a Peshwa, he defeated [[Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I|Nizam-ul-Mulk]] at several battles like the [[Battle of Delhi (1737)|Battle of Delhi]] and [[Battle of Bhopal]]. Baji Rao's contributed for Maratha supremacy in [[South India|southern India]] and [[North India|northern India]]. Thus, he was partly responsible for establishing Maratha power in [[Gujarat]], [[Malwa]], [[Rajputana]] and [[Bundelkhand]] and liberating [[Konkan]] (western coast of [[India]]) from the [[Janjira State|Siddis of Janjira]] and [[Portuguese India|Portuguese rule]].
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| Baji Rao's relationship with his Muslim wife, a controversial subject,<ref name=Mehta05/><ref name="GSC_2005"/> has been adapted in Indian novels and cinema.<ref>{{citation |title=Peshwa Bajirao Review: Anuja Sathe shines as Radhabai in the period drama |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/peshwa-bajirao-review-anuja-sathe-shines-as-radha-bai-in-the-period-drama-lifetv/1/866331.html |work=[[India Today]] |date=25 January 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jha|first=Subhash K|title=Bajirao Mastani review: This gloriously epic Priyanka, Deepika and Ranveer-starrer is the best film of 2015|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/bajirao-mastani-review-this-is-the-best-film-of-2015-2550464.html|publisher=[[Firstpost]]|date=19 October 2015|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xn43DQAAQBAJ|title=Rau – The Great Love Story of Bajirao Mastani|last=Inamdar|first=N. S.|date=20 October 2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|isbn=978-1-5098-5227-7|language=en}}</ref>
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| ==Early life==
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| [[File:Bajirao's handwriting.jpg|alt=Stone fortress, with people in front for scale|right|thumb|Baji Rao I's handwriting in [[Modi script]].]]
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| Baji Rao was born into a [[Bhat family|Bhat Family]] in [[Sinnar]], near [[Nashik]]. His biological father was [[Balaji Vishwanath]] the ''Peshwa'' of [[Shahu I|Shahu Maharaj I]] and his mother was Radhabai Barve.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Barave (Barve) gharāṇyācā kulavr̥ttānta|last1=Barave|first1=Dinakara Dattātraya|last2=Barve (Barave) Kula Snehasãvardhaka Maṇḍaḷa|date=2007|pages=471|oclc = 824536402}}</ref> Baji Rao had a younger brother, [[Chimaji Appa]], and two younger sisters, Anubai and Bhiubai. Anubai was married to Venkatrao Ghorpade of [[Ichalkaranji]] and Bhiubai was married to Abaji Naik Joshi of Baramati.<ref name="SardesaiPage60">{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=60}}</ref>
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| Baji Rao spent his childhood in his father's newly acquired [[fief]]dom of [[Saswad]]. He and Chimaji were very close.<ref name="SardesaiPage60" /> Baji Rao was inspired by the lives of [[Shivaji Maharaj]], [[Ramchandra Pant Amatya]] and [[Santaji Ghorpade]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=67}}</ref>
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| Being born in a [[Brahmin]] family, his education included reading, writing and learning [[Sanskrit]] however, he did not remain confined to his books. Baji Rao displayed a passion for the military at an early age and often accompanied his father on military campaigns.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=66}}</ref> He was with his father when his father was imprisoned by [[Damaji Thorat]] before being released for a ransom.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> Baji Rao had been on the expedition to Delhi in 1719 with his father and was convinced that the [[Mughal Empire]] was disintegrating and unable to resist northward Maratha expansion.<ref name="Gordon 1993 114">{{Cite book|last=Gordon|first=Stewart|title=The New Cambridge History of India|publisher=Cambridge University Press|url=https://archive.org/stream/iB_in/2-4#page/n129/mode/2up|year=1993|pages=114}}</ref> When [[Balaji Vishwanath]] died in 1720, Shahu Maharaj appointed the 20-year-old Baji Rao as Peshwa despite opposition from other chieftains.<ref>{{cite book |first=Shripad Rama |last=Sharma |title=The Making of Modern India: From A. D. 1526 to the Present Day |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oAUdAAAAMAAJ |year=1951 |publisher=Orient Longmans |page=239 }}</ref>
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| ==Personal life==
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| Baji Rao's first wife was [[Kashibai]], the daughter of Mahadji Krishna Joshi and Bhawanibai of [[Chas, Khed|Chas]] (a wealthy banking family).<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ez4wAQAAIAAJ&q=kashibai | title=The Chitpavans: social ascendancy of a creative minority in Maharashtra, 1818–1918 | publisher=Sandhya Gokhale | first=Sandhya | last=Gokhale | year=2008 | page=82 | isbn=9788182901322}}</ref> Baji Rao always treated his wife Kashibai with love and respect.<ref name="Mishra" /> Their relationship was a happy one.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mehta |first=Jaswant Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India: 1707 – 1813 |year=2005 |publisher=New Dawn Press |location=New Delhi |isbn=9781932705546 |page=124}}</ref><ref name="Mishra">{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Garima|title=Tracing Kashibai: The 'first' lady from Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/kashibai-the-first-lady/|access-date=30 July 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=3 January 2016}}</ref> They had four sons [[Balaji Baji Rao]] (also called Nanasaheb), Ramchandra Rao, [[Raghunath Rao]] and Janardhan Rao, who died at an early age.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qWbaAAAAMAAJ |title=Begams, concubines, and memsahibs |first=B. P. |last=Saha |publisher=Vikas |year=1997 |page=88 |isbn=9788125902850 }}</ref> Nanasaheb was appointed Peshwa by Shahu Maharaj in 1740, succeeding his father.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=189}}</ref>
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| Baji Rao took Mastani as his wife, the daughter of [[Rajput]] king [[Chhatrasal]], born from his [[Islam|Muslim]] concubine.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Jaswant Lal Mehta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC|title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813|date=1 January 2005|page=108|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-1-932705-54-6|language=en|quote=Of his own sweet will The Rajput king bestowed a large number of Personal Jagir to Bajirao near Jhansi and further offered his daughter Mastani born from his Muslim Concubine}}</ref> The relationship was a political one, arranged to please Chhatrasal.<ref name=Mehta05/> Mastani had a son, [[Shamsher Bahadur I (Krishna Rao)|Krishna Rao]], in 1734. Since his mother was Muslim, the Hindu priests refused to conduct [[upanayana]] ceremony and he became known as Shamsher Bahadur.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> After the deaths of Baji Rao and Mastani in 1740, Kashibai raised six-year-old Shamsher Bahadur as her own. Shamsher received a portion of his father's dominion of Banda and [[Kalpi]]. In 1761, he and his army fought alongside the Peshwa in the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] between the Marathas and the [[Pashtuns|Afghans]]. Wounded in the battle, Shamsher died several days later in [[Deeg]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Henry |last=Dodwell |title=The Cambridge History of India: Turks and Afghans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA407 |year=1937 |publisher=CUP Archive |page=407|id=GGKEY:96PECZLGTT6}}</ref><ref name="Chid_1951">{{cite book |first=Chidambaram S. |last=Srinivasachari |title=The Inwardness of British Annexations in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E0bRAAAAMAAJ |year=1951 |publisher=University of Madras |page=219 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1=Rosemary |last1=Crill |first2=Kapil |last2=Jariwala |title=The Indian Portrait, 1560–1860 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ongF6dkNKAcC&pg=PA162 |year=2010 |publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-81-89995-37-9 |page=162 }}</ref>
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| Baji Rao moved his base of operations from [[Saswad]] to Pune in 1728, laying the foundation for the transformation of a [[kasbah|kasba]] into a large city.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kosambi|first1=Meera|title=Glory of Peshwa Pune|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|year=1989|volume=24|issue=5|page=247}}</ref> He began the construction of [[Shaniwar Wada]] in 1730. It was completed in 1732, beginning the era of Peshwa control of the city.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Parasnis|first=D. B.|title=Poona In Bygone Days|publisher=Bombay The Times Press|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.530992/page/n17/mode/2up|year=1921|pages=1–2}}</ref>
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| ==Appointment as Peshwa==
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| Baji Rao was appointed Peshwa, succeeding his father, by Shahu Maharaj on 17 April 1720. By the time of his appointment, the Mughal emperor [[Muhammad Shah]] had upheld Maratha claims to the territories held by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at his death. A treaty gave the Marathas the right to collect taxes ([[chauth]]) in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]'s six [[subah|provinces]].<ref name="Mehta 492-494">{{cite book |last=Mehta |first=Jaswant Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India: 1707 – 1813 |year=2005 |publisher=New Dawn Press |location=New Delhi |isbn=9781932705546 |pages=492–494}}</ref> Baji Rao convinced Shahu Maharaj that the Maratha Empire had to go on the offensive against its enemies to defend itself.<ref name="G.S.Chhabra2005">{{cite book |last=Chhabra |first=G. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UkDi6rVbckoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India (Volume 1: 1707–1813) |publisher=Lotus Press |year=2005 |edition=Revised |orig-year=1971 |isbn=978-81-89093-06-8 |page=20}}</ref> He believed that the Mughal Empire was in decline, and wanted to take advantage of the situation with aggressive expansion into [[North India]]. Baji Rao compared the Mughals' declining fortune to a tree which, if attacked at its roots, would collapse. He is reported to have said:
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| |text=Let us 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]].<ref name="Sen2006">{{cite book|first=S. N. |last=Sen|title=History Modern India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ga-pmgxsWwoC&pg=PA11|year=2006|publisher=New Age International|isbn=978-81-224-1774-6|page=11}}</ref>
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| As a new Peshwa, however, he faced several challenges.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> His appointment at a young age had evoked jealousy from senior officials such as Naro Ram Mantri, Anant Ram Sumant, [[Shripatrao Pratinidhi|Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi]], [[Khanderao Dabhade]] and Kanhoji Bhosle.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=65}}</ref> Baji Rao promoted young men like himself, such as [[Malhar Rao Holkar]], [[Ranoji Shinde]], the Pawar brothers and Fateh Singh Bhosle, as commanders; these men did not belong to families who were hereditary [[Deshmukh]]s in the [[Deccan sultanates]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Stewart |title=The Marathas 1600–1818 |year=2007 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge [u.a.] |isbn=978-0521033169 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C |pages=117–121}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=65, 69}}</ref> Also the [[Purandare|Purandare family]] who were the close associates of the [[Bhat family|Bhat Peshwa family]], largely contributed in Baji Rao's success.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=68}}</ref>
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| The Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam-ul-Mulk]] [[Asaf Jah I]], had created a ''de facto'' autonomous kingdom in the region. He challenged Shahu Maharaj's right to collect taxes<ref name="SG_1993">{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Stewart |title=The Marathas 1600–1818 |year=2007 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge [u.a.] |isbn=978-0521033169 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C |pages=120–131}}</ref> on the pretext that he did not know whether Shahu Maharaj or his cousin, [[Sambhaji Maharaj II]] of Kolhapur, was the rightful heir to the Maratha throne.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> The Marathas needed to assert their rights over the nobles of newly acquired territories in [[Malwa]] and [[Gujarat]].<ref name="GSC_2005"/> Several nominally-Maratha areas were not actually under the Peshwa's control; for example, the [[Siddi]]s controlled the [[Murud-Janjira|Janjira]] fort.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| ==Military conquests==
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| ==={{anchor|Nizam}}The Nizam===
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| {{Main|Battle of Palkhed}}
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| [[File:Peshwa Bajirao vs Nizam-ul-Mulk movements in Palkhed Campaign.png|thumb|alt=Colour-coded map|Troop movements of Baji Rao I and Asaf Jah I (Nizam-ul-Mulk) in the Battle of Palkhed]]
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| On 4 January 1721, Baji Rao met [[Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I|Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I]] at Chikhalthana to resolve their disputes. However, the Nizam refused to recognize the Maratha right to collect taxes from the Deccan provinces.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> He was made [[vizier]] of the Mughal Empire in 1721 by emperor [[Muhammad Shah]], alarmed at his increasing power, transferred him from the Deccan to [[Awadh]] in 1723. The Nizam rebelled against the order, resigned as vizier and marched towards the Deccan. The emperor sent an army against him, which the Nizam defeated at the [[Battle of Shakar Kheda|Battle of Sakhar-kheda]]; this forced the emperor to recognise him as viceroy of the Deccan. The Marathas, led by Baji Rao, helped the Nizam win this battle. For his valor, Baji Rao was honored with a robe, a 7,000-man [[mansabdari]], an elephant, and a jewel. After the battle, the Nizam tried to appease the Maratha [[Chhatrapati]] Shahu Maharaj and the Mughal emperor; in reality, however, he wanted to carve out a sovereign kingdom and considered the Marathas his rivals in the Deccan.<ref name="PVK_1987">{{cite book |first=P. V. |last=Kate |title=Marathwada Under the Nizams, 1724–1948 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tjndiykddsIC&pg=PA11 |year=1987 |publisher=Mittal |isbn=978-81-7099-017-8 |pages=11–13}}</ref>
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| In 1725, the Nizam sent an army to clear Maratha revenue collectors from the [[Carnatic region]]. The Marathas dispatched a force under Fateh Singh Bhosle to counter him; Baji Rao accompanied Bhosle, but did not command the army. The Marathas were forced to retreat; they launched a second campaign after the monsoon season, but again were unable to prevent the Nizam from ousting the Maratha collectors.<ref name="SG_1993">{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Stewart |title=The Marathas 1600–1818 |year=2007 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge [u.a.] |isbn=978-0521033169 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C |pages=120–131}}</ref>
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| In the Deccan, [[Sambhaji Maharaj II]] of [[Kolhapur State]] had become a rival claimant to the title of Maratha King. The Nizam took advantage of the internal dispute, refusing to pay the chauth because it was unclear who was the real Chhatrapati (Shahu Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj II) and offering to [[Arbitration|arbitrate]]. [[Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi]] advised Shahu Maharaj to begin negotiations and agree to arbitration. Sambhaji Maharaj II was supported by Chandrasen Jadhav, who had fought Baji Rao's father a decade earlier. Baji Rao convinced Shahu Maharaj to refuse the Nizam's offer and launch an assault.<ref name="SG_1993"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=18}}</ref>
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| The Nizam invaded [[Pune]], where he installed Sambhaji Maharaj II as the King. He then marched out of the city, leaving behind a contingent headed by Fazal Beg. The Nizam plundered Loni, Pargaon, Patas, Supa and [[Baramati]], using his artillery. On 27 August 1727, Baji Rao began a retaliatory [[guerrilla warfare|guerilla]] attack on the Nizam with his trusted lieutenants [[Malhar Rao Holkar]], [[Ranoji Scindia|Ranoji Shinde]] and the Pawar brothers. He began to destroy the towns held by the Nizam; leaving Pune, he crossed the [[Godavari River]] near [[Puntamba]] and plundered [[Jalna, Maharashtra|Jalna]] and [[Sindkhed Raja|Sindkhed]]. Baji Rao destroyed [[Berar Province|Berar]], [[Mahur, Maharashtra|Mahur]], [[Mangrulpir]] and [[Washim]] before turning north-west to [[Khandesh]]. He crossed the [[Tapti River|Tapi River]] at [[Kukarmunda|Kokarmunda]] and entered eastern [[Gujarat]], reaching [[Chhota Udaipur|Chota Udaipur]] in January 1728. After hearing that the Nizam had returned to Pune, Baji Rao feinted toward [[Burhanpur]]; he thought that after hearing about the threat to the strategically-important Burhanpur, the Nizam would try to save it. Baji Rao did not enter Burhanpur, however, arriving at [[Betawad]] in Khandesh on 14 February 1728.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=96–97}}</ref> When the Nizam heard that his northern territories had been devastated by Baji Rao, he left Pune and marched towards the Godavari to meet Baji Rao on an open plain where his artillery would be effective. The Nizam went on ahead of his artillery; on 25 February 1728, the armies of Baji Rao and the Nizam faced each other at Palkhed, a town about {{convert|30|mi}} west of [[Aurangabad]]. The Nizam was quickly surrounded by Maratha forces and trapped, his lines of supply and communication were cut. He was forced to make peace; he signed the Treaty of Mungi Shevgaon on 6 March, recognising Shahu Maharaj as the King and the Maratha right to collect taxes in the Deccan.<ref name="GSC_2005"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=98}}</ref>
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| This battle is considered as an example of brilliant execution of military strategy.<ref name=Mehta05>{{cite book |last=Mehta |first=Jaswant Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India: 1707 – 1813 |year=2005 |publisher=New Dawn Press |location=New Delhi |isbn=9781932705546 |page=97,215|quote="The reputation of the young Peshwa as a brilliant military general soared very high...","They objected to the marriage of Baji Rao with Mastani..."}}</ref>
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| In his ''Military History of India'', [[Jadunath Sarkar]] wrote:
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| "This campaign gives a classic example of what the predatory horse, when led by a genius, could achieve in the age of light artillery."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath|title=Military History of India|publisher=M. C. Sarkar and Sons|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.21517/page/n153/mode/2up|year=1960|page=143}}</ref>
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| === Malwa ===
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| [[File:Bajirao Peshwa Statue, Pune.jpg|thumb|Equestrian statue of Peshwa Baji Rao I outside Shaniwar Wada, Pune]]
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| In 1723, Baji Rao organised an expedition to southern [[Malwa Subah|Malwa]]. Maratha chiefs, including [[Ranoji Shinde]], [[Malhar Rao Holkar]], Udaji Rao Pawar, Tukoji Rao Pawar and Jivaji Rao Pawar, had collected chauth from several parts of the province. (Later, these chiefs carved out their own kingdoms: [[Gwalior State|Gwalior]], [[Indore State|Indore]], [[Dhar State|Dhar]] and [[Dewas State]] – [[Dewas Junior|Junior]] and [[Dewas Senior|Senior]], respectively). To counter Maratha influence, the Mughal emperor had appointed [[Girdhar Bahadur]] governor of Malwa.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| After defeating the Nizam, Baji Rao again turned his attention to Malwa. He consigned a large army in October 1728 to his younger brother, Chimaji Appa, and aided by his trusted generals Udaji Pawar and Malhar Rao Holkar. The Maratha force reached the southern bank of the [[Narmada River]] on 24 November 1728. The following day, they crossed the river and encamped near [[Dharampuri]]. Marching rapidly northwards, they crossed the [[ghat]] near [[Mandu, Madhya Pradesh|Mandu]] and halted at [[Nalchha, Dhar|Nalchha]] on 27 November. The Mughal forces, led by Girdhar Bahadur and his cousin Daya Bahadur, hastily prepared to oppose them on hearing that the Maratha army had begun to climb the ghats. Girdhar Bahadur believed that the Marathas, thinking that the pass near the Mandu fort was well guarded, would climb the ghat near [[Amjhira|Amjhera]]; he and his army marched to Amjhera and took up a strong position there. Since the Marathas did not appear there, he suspected that they climbed near the Mandu fort and set out for Dhar on 29 November 1728. Girdhar Bahadur found Maratha horsemen coming towards him. In the 29 November Battle of Amjhera, Chimaji's army defeated the Mughals; Girdhar Bahadur and Daya Bahadur were killed. The Mughal forces fled, and their camp was plundered; eighteen elephants, horses, drums and other loot were taken by the Marathas. News of the victory reached the ears of Peshwa, who was visiting [[Chhatrasal]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sinh|first=Raghubir|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.81344/page/n183/mode/2up|title=Malwa in Transition The First Phase 1698–1765|publisher=D.B Taraporevala, Sons & Co|year=1936|pages=162, 163, 164}}</ref> Chimaji marched towards [[Ujjain]], but had to retreat due to lack of supplies.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> By February 1729, Maratha forces had reached present-day [[Rajasthan]].<ref name="SG_1993"/>
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| === Bundelkhand ===
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| {{Main|Battle of Bundelkhand}}
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| In [[Bundelkhand]], [[Chhatrasal]] rebelled against the Mughal Empire and established an independent kingdom. In December 1728, a Mughal force led by [[Muhammad Khan Bangash]] attacked him and besieged his fort and family. Although Chhatrasal repeatedly sought Baji Rao's assistance, he was busy in Malwa at the time. He compared his dire situation to that of [[Gajendra Moksha]]. In his letter to Baji Rao, Chhatrasal wrote the following words:
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| {{Quote
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| |text= Know you, that I am in the same sad plight in which the famous elephant was when caught by the crocodile. My valiant race is on point of extinction. Come and save my honour, O Baji Rao.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=106}}</ref>
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| }} In March 1729, the Peshwa responded to Chhatrasal's request and marched towards Bundelkhand with 25,000 horsemen and his lieutenants Pilaji Jadhav, Tukoji Pawar, [[Naro Shankaraji Gandekar|Naro Shankar]], and Davalji Somwanshi. Chhatrasal escaped capture and joined the Maratha force, increasing it to 70,000 men.<ref name="phoenix">{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=106–108}}</ref> After marching to [[Jaitpur State|Jaitpur]], Baji Rao's forces surrounded Bangash and cut his supply and communication lines. Bangash launched a counterattack against Baji Rao, but could not pierce his defences. Qaim Khan, son of Muhammad Khan Bangash, learned of his father's predicament and approached with fresh troops. His army was attacked by Baji Rao's forces, and he was defeated. Bangash was later forced to leave, signing an agreement that "he would never attack Bundelkhand again".<ref name="phoenix"/> Chhatrasal's position as ruler of Bundelkhand was restored. He granted a large [[jagir]] to Baji Rao, and gave him his daughter Mastani. Before Chhatrasal's death in December 1731, he ceded one-third of his territories to the Marathas.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| ===Gujarat===
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| {{Main|Battle of Dabhoi}}
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| After consolidating Maratha influence in central India, Baji Rao decided to assert the Maratha right to collect taxes from the wealthy province of [[Gujarat]] and sent a Maratha force under [[Chimaji Appa]] there in 1730. Sarbuland Khan, the province's Mughal governor, ceded the right to collect chauth to the Marathas. He was soon replaced by Abhay Singh, who also recognized the Maratha right to collect taxes. This irked [[Shahu Maharaj I|Shahu Maharaj's]] [[senapati]] (commander-in-chief), [[Trimbak Rao Dabhade]], whose [[Dabhade|ancestors]] had raided Gujarat several times and asserted their right to collect taxes from the province. Annoyed at Baji Rao's control of what he considered his family's sphere of influence, he rebelled against the Peshwa.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chhabra |first=G. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UkDi6rVbckoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India (Volume 1: 1707–1813) |publisher=Lotus Press |year=2005 |edition=Revised |orig-year=1971 |isbn=978-81-89093-06-8 |page=22}}</ref> Two other Maratha nobles from Gujarat, [[Damaji Rao Gaekwad]] and Kadam Bande, also sided with Dabhade.<ref name="SG_1993"/>
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| After Girdhar Bahadur's defeat in 1728, the Mughal emperor had appointed [[Jai Singh II]] to subdue the Marathas. Jai Singh recommended a peaceful agreement; the emperor disagreed, replacing him with [[Muhammad Khan Bangash]]. Bangash formed an alliance with the Nizam, Trimbak Rao and Sambhaji Maharaj II. Baji Rao learned that Dabhade and Gaikwad had made preparations for an open fight on the plain of Dabhoi with a force of 40 thousand, while Baji Rao's numbers hardly reached 25 thousand in all. Baji Rao repeatedly sent messages to Dabhade to solve the dispute amicably in the presence of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj. But Dabhade was stiff and stubborn, disagreeing Baji Rao's proposition, therefore on 1 April 1731, Baji Rao struck at the allied forces of Dabhade, Gaekwad and Kadam Bande. The Dabhade was seated on elephant and Baji Rao was on horseback. But during the battle, a bullet pierced Trimbakrao's head and he died on the spot. Later it was discovered that the shot that killed Dabhade was fired by Dabhade's maternal uncle Bhau Singh Thoke.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=38,39}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=128}}</ref> Baji Rao resolved the dispute with Sambhaji Maharaj II on 13 April by signing the Treaty of Warna, which demarcated the territories of Shahu Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj II. The Nizam met Baji Rao at Rohe-Rameshwar on 27 December 1732, and promised not to interfere with Maratha expeditions.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| Shahu Maharaj and Baji Rao avoided a rivalry with the powerful Dabhade clan after subduing Trimbak Rao; Trimbak's son, Yashwant Rao, was appointed as Shahu Maharaj's senapati. The Dabhade clan were allowed to continue collecting chauth from Gujarat if they deposited half the revenue in Shahu Maharaj's treasury.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| ===Siddis===
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| The [[Siddi]]s of [[Janjira State|Janjira]] controlled a small, strategically-important territory on India's west coast. Although they originally held only the Janjira fort, after Shivaji Maharaj's death they expanded their rule to a large part of central and northern [[Konkan]].<ref name="SG_1993"/> After the death of Siddi chief [[Yakut Khan]] in 1733, a war of succession broke out among his sons; one, Abdul Rehman, asked Baji Rao for help. Baji Rao sent a Maratha force led by Sekhoji Angre, son of [[Kanhoji Angre]]. The Marathas regained control of several portions of Konkan, and besieged Janjira. Their strength was diverted after Peshwa's rival, Pant Pratinidhi, occupied [[Raigad Fort]] (near Janjira) in June 1733. Sekhoji Angre died in August (further weakening the Maratha position), and Baji Rao signed a peace treaty with the Siddis. He allowed the Siddis to retain control of Janjira if they accepted Abdul Rehman as the ruler; they were also allowed to retain control of [[Anjanvel]], [[Gowalkot]] and [[Underi]]. The Marathas retained Raigad, [[Rewas]], Thal and [[Chaul]].<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| The Siddis launched an offensive to regain their lost territories soon after the Peshwa returned to [[Satara (city)|Satara]], and Baji Rao dispatched a force to prevent them from taking over Raigad Fort in June 1734. Chimnaji made a surprise attack on a Siddi camp near Rewas on 19 April 1736, killing about 1,500 (including their leader, Siddi Sat). On 25 September of that year, the Siddis signed a peace treaty which confined them to Janjira, Gowalkot and Anjanvel.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| === Rajputana ===
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| With Shahu Maharaj's consent, Baji Rao began a northward journey on 9 October 1735. Accompanied by his wife, [[Kashibai]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007/ |title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire |publisher=Longman Group |year=1964 |volume=1 |page=161}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=151}}</ref> he intended to visit Rajput courts and persuade them to pay chauth. Baji Rao arrived at Mewar's southern frontier in January 1736, where Rana [[Jagat Singh II]] had made arrangements for his visit.<ref name="sarkar162">{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007/ |title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire |publisher=Longman Group |year=1964 |volume=1 |page=162}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=150}}</ref>
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| Diplomatic talks got underway. Baji Rao also visited [[Jag Mandir|Jagmandir Palace]], in the centre of [[Lake Pichola|Pichola Lake]] (at Rana Jagat Singh's invitation), and [[Shrinathji Temple|Nath-Dwara]]. After resolving matters in Mewar, Baji Rao advanced towards Jaipur. Jai Singh hastened south with his forces, and they met in Bhambholao (near [[Kishangarh]]).<ref name="sarkar162"/>
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| Their meeting lasted for several days, with talks about chauth and the cession of Malwa from the [[Mughal Emperor]]. Baji Rao then returned to the Deccan. The emperor did not agree to his demands, however, and he planned to march on Delhi to force him to agree.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43007/ |title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire |publisher=Longman Group |year=1964 |volume=1 |pages=163–164, 168}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=151–152}}</ref>
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| ===March to Delhi===
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| {{Main|Battle of Delhi (1737)}}
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| After the death of Trimbak Rao, Bangash's alliance against the Marathas fell apart. The Mughal emperor recalled him from Malwa, and re-appointed Jai Singh II as governor of Malwa. However, the Maratha chief Holkar defeated Jai Singh in the 1733 [[Battle of Mandsaur]]. After two more battles, the Mughals decided to offer the Marathas the right to collect the equivalent of {{INR}}22 [[lakh]] in chauth from Malwa. On 4 March 1736, Baji Rao and Jai Singh reached an agreement at Kishangad. Jai Singh convinced the emperor to agree to the plan, and Baji Rao was appointed deputy governor of the region. Jai Singh is believed to have secretly informed Baji Rao that it was a good time to subdue the weakening Mughal emperor.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| The Peshwa began to march on the Mughal capital, [[Delhi]], from Pune on 12 November 1736 with a force of 50,000 cavalry troops.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=130}}</ref> Learning of the advancing Maratha army, the Mughal emperor asked [[Saadat Ali Khan I]] to march from [[Agra]] and check the advance. The Maratha chiefs Malhar Rao Holkar, Vithoji Bule and Pilaji Jadhav crossed [[Yamuna]] and plundered the Mughal territories in the [[Doab#The Doab|Doab]]. Saadat Khan led a force of 150,000, defeated them, and retired to [[Mathura]]. Malhar Rao Holkar rejoined Baji Rao's army near [[Gwalior]]. Samsam-ud-Daulah, Mir Bakshi and Muhammad Khan Bangash invited Saadat Ali Khan to a banquet in Samsam-ud-Daulah's tent in Mathura, thinking that the Marathas had retreated to the Deccan. During the feast, they learnt that Baji Rao had slipped along the [[Jat people|Jat]] and [[Mewat]]i hill route (avoiding the direct Agra-Delhi route) and was at Delhi. The Mughal commanders left the feast and began a hasty return to capital.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Irvine|first=William|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280772/mode/2up|title=Later Mughals|publisher=Oriental Books Reprint Corporation|volume=2|pages=288}}</ref> The Mughal emperor dispatched a force, led by Mir Hasan Khan Koka, to check Baji Rao's advance. The Marathas defeated his force in the 28 March 1737 [[Battle of Delhi (1737)|Battle of Delhi]]. Baji Rao then retreated from the capital, concerned about the approach of a larger Mughal force from Mathura.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| Baji Rao's dash on Delhi was executed with such daring and audacity that neither the Mughal generals nor the Mughal intelligence could comprehend or predict his moves.<ref>{{cite book |last=Srinivasan |first=C. K. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.131112/ |title=Baji Rao I: The Great Peshwa |year=1961 |location= New Delhi |publisher=Asia Publishing House |page=105}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=134}}</ref>
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| ===Battle of Bhopal===
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| {{Main|Battle of Bhopal}}
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| Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah sought help from the Nizam after Baji Rao's march to Delhi; the Nizam set out from the Deccan, met Baji Rao's returning force at [[Sironj]], and told the Peshwa that he was going to Delhi to repair his relationship with the Mughal emperor. The Nizam was joined by other Mughal chiefs, and a 30,000-man Mughal army (reinforced by artillery), was dispatched against Baji Rao. The Peshwa assembled an 80,000-man force. To counter aid to the Nizam from the Deccan, Baji Rao stationed a force of 10,000 (under Chimaji Appa) on the Tapti River with instructions to prevent [[Nasir Jung]] from advancing beyond [[Burhanpur]]. He and his forces crossed the Narmada in early December 1737, communicating with agents and spies posted to observe enemy moves. The Nizam sheltered in [[Bhopal]], a fortified town with a lake at his rear, to keep his army and artillery secure.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
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| Baji Rao besieged the Nizam, cutting off outside provisions. Because of the Nizam's artillery, the Marathas kept their distance and harassed their lines; no food could come in from outside, and the men and their animals were starving.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |pages=146, 148}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |pages=157–158}}</ref> The Nizam, unable to hold out any longer, signed a peace agreement at [[Doraha, Sehore|Doraha]] on 7 January 1738.<ref>{{cite book | title = Madhya Pradesh Through the Ages | first1=S. R. |last1=Bakshi |first2=O. P. |last2=Ralhan | publisher = Sarup & Sons | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-81-7625-806-7 | page = 384 }}</ref> Malwa was ceded to the Marathas; the Mughals agreed to pay the equivalent of {{INR}}5,000,000 in [[war reparations|reparations]], with the Nizam swearing on the [[Quran]] to abide by the treaty.<ref name="GSC_2005"/>
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| === {{anchor|Portuguese}}The Portuguese ===
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| The [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] had colonised several regions of India's west coast. They violated an agreement to give the Marathas a site on [[Salsette Island]] for a factory, and were intolerant of Hindus in their territory. In March 1737, the Peshwa dispatched a Maratha force (led by Chimaji) against them. Although the Marathas captured [[Ghodbunder Fort]] and nearly all of [[Vasai]] in the [[Battle of Vasai]] and gained control of Salsette on 16 May 1739 after a long siege, [[Nader Shah's invasion of India]] then diverted their attention from the Portuguese.<ref name="GSC_2005"/> The war trophies from Vasai included several Church bells which are found in many prominent Hindu temples in Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lopez |first1=Rachel |title=Why bells from Portuguese-era churches ring in temples across Maharashtra |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/why-bells-from-portuguese-era-churches-ring-in-temples-across-maharashtra/story-YYcaRl2vQ7rlULOu1oztzI.html |access-date=23 December 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |issue=24 December 2018 |publisher=HT Media Limited |date=2018}}</ref>
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| ==Battle tactics and character==
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| [[File:बाजीराव पेशवे यांच्या राजमुद्रेची प्रतिकृती शनिवारवाडा पुणे.jpg|thumb|Seal of Bajirao I]]
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| [[File:The entrance of Shaniwar Wada..JPG|alt=Stone fortress, with people in front for scale|right|thumb|upright=1.2|The [[Shaniwar Wada]] fortress in [[Pune]] was built as the seat of the Peshwa rulers during Baji Rao's reign.]]
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| Baji Rao was known for rapid tactical movements in battle, using cavalry inherited from Maratha generals such as [[Santaji Ghorpade]] and [[Dhanaji Jadhav]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=The First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774–1783: A Military Study of Major Battles|last=Kantak|first=M.R.|publisher=Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdXnVOKKkssC&pg=PA12|year=1993|isbn=9788171546961|page=12}}</ref> Two examples are the [[Battle of Palkhed]] in 1728, when he outmaneuvered the Mughal governor of the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], and in the battle at [[Battle of Delhi (1737)|Delhi in 1737]]. His skill was in moving large numbers of cavalry at a great speed.<ref name="Dighe 1944 206">{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=206}}</ref> British [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|field marshal]] [[Bernard Montgomery]] studied Baji Rao's tactics in the Palkhed campaign, particularly his rapid movements and his troops' ability to live off the land (with little concern about supply and communication lines) while conducting "[[maneuver warfare]]" against the enemy. In his book, ''A Concise History of Warfare'', Montgomery wrote the following about Baji Rao's victory at Palkhed:
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| {{Quote
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| |text=They (Marathas) were at their best in the eighteenth century, and the Palkhed campaign of 1727–28 in which Baji Rao I outgeneralled Nizam-ul-Mulk, is a ''masterpiece of strategic mobility''. Baji Rao's army was a purely mounted force, armed only with sabre, lance, a bow in some units and a round shield. There was a spare horse for every two men. The Marathas moved unencumbered by artillery, baggage, or even handguns and defensive armour. They supplied themselves by looting.<ref name="bernard"/>}}
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| Montgomery further wrote,
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| {{Quote
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| |text=Baji Rao resented the Nizam's rule over the Deccan and it was he who struck the first blow. In October 1727, as soon as rainy season ended, Baji Rao burst into the territories of Nizam. The lightly equipped Marathas moved with great rapidity, avoiding the main towns and fortresses, living off the country, burning and plundering. They met one reverse at the hands of Nizam's able lieutenant, Iwaz Khan, at the beginning of November 1727, but within a month they had fully recovered and were off again, dashing east, north, west, with sudden changes in direction. The Nizam had mobilised his forces, and for a time pursued them, but he was bewildered by the swift unpredictable movements of Marathas, and his men became exhausted.<ref name="bernard">{{cite book
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| |last=Montgomery
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| |first=Bernard
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| |year=1972
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| |title=A Concise History of Warfare
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| |url=https://archive.org/details/concisehistoryof0000unse_r8u2
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| |publisher=Collins
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| |pages= 132, 135
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| |isbn=9780001921498
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| }}</ref>
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| }}
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| Baji Rao used local terrain to cut enemy supply lines. Leading from the front, he used the traditional Maratha tactics of encircling the enemy quickly, appearing from the rear, attacking from an unexpected direction, distracting the enemy's attention, keeping them off-balance, and defining the battlefield on his own terms. Baji Rao kept detailed information about enemy forces to himself, attacking where least expected and thus inspiring fear.<ref name="Dighe 1944 206" />
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| Baji Rao is considered one of celebrated personality in the history of Maratha Empire by many historians.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=ix}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Sen|first=S.N. |author-link= |date=2006 |title= History Modern India.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ga-pmgxsWwoC&q=second+founder&pg=PA1 |location=New Delhi |publisher= New Age International|page=113 |isbn=81-224-1774-4}}</ref><ref name="Gordon 1993 114"/>
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| In his introduction to ''Baji Rao I: The Great Peshwa'', [[K. M. Panikkar]] wrote:
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| {{Quote
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| |text=Baji Rao, the great Peshwa, was without doubt the most outstanding statesman and general India produced in [the] 18th century. If Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of Maratha State, Baji Rao could claim that he was the one who saved it from disruption and transformed what was national state in[to] an Empire.<ref>{{cite book |last=Srinivasan |first=C. K. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.131112/ |title=Baji Rao I: The Great Peshwa |year=1961 |location= New Delhi |publisher=Asia Publishing House |page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.131112/page/n40 ix]}}</ref>
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| }}
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| He is also considered to be one of the greatest military generals of his time.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mehta |first=Jaswant Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India: 1707 – 1813 |year=2005 |publisher=New Dawn Press |location=New Delhi |isbn=9781932705546 |pages=126}}</ref>
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| [[Jadunath Sarkar]] called Baji Rao, "a heavenly-born cavalry leader".<ref name="Dighe 1944 206"/> Also describing his twenty years military career, Jadunath Sarkar wrote:
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| {{Quote
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| |text=Twenty years spent in breathless activity and tireless journeys across the Indian continent, from Delhi to Srirangpatan and Gujarat to Hyderabad, wore out the most wonderful man of action that the Hindu race has produced since the days of the great Shivaji Maharaj.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url= |title= Marathi Riyasat |date=1942 |publisher=|pages=11}}</ref>}}
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| Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj also had an implicit faith on Baji Rao. He had issued orders that, "all should obey Baji Rao faithfully and should do nothing to offend his temper".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sardesai |first=Govind Sakharam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32142/ |title=New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707–1772 |date=1946 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |page=168}}</ref> On the other occasion he has called Baji Rao as "the man with iron nerves".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=196}}</ref><gallery>
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| File:Facsimile of the handwriting of Balaji Bajirao (1740-61).jpg|24 Feb 1731. Bajirao writes to his uncle [[Chimaji Appa]] referring Chhatrapati [[Shahu I|Shahu I's]] pilgrimage to [[Jejuri]].
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| File:Bajirao's letter to Chimaji Appa 01.tif|continued letter to Chimaji Appa
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| File:Facsimile of the handwriting of Bajirao Ballal (1720-40).jpg|31 Mar 1739; Bajirao asks his brother [[Chimaji Appa]] to send reencorcements to Delhi to counter [[Nader Shah|Nadir Shah]]
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| File:Facsimile of the handwriting of Bajirao Ballal.jpg|Bajirao tells [[Chimaji Appa]] “Money and elephants should not be handed over to anyone. The elephant Gajraj should be taken from Pawar without letting him know that it is done at my instance.”
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| File:Samples of MoDi writing.jpg|Signatures of the Marathas line 3 is the handwriting of Bajirao
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| </gallery>
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|
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| ==Death==
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| {{multiple image
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| | image1 =Bajirao samadhi raverkhed.jpg
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| | alt1 = Exterior of Baji Rao's tomb
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| | caption1 = Baji Rao I memorial at Raverkhedi
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| Baji Rao's body was exhausted due to ceaseless wars and military campaigns.<ref>{{cite book |last=Srinivasan |first=C. K. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.131112/ |title=Baji Rao I: The Great Peshwa |year=1961 |location= New Delhi |publisher=Asia Publishing House |page=128}}</ref> He caught a virulent fever while being encamped in Raverkhedi and died on 28 April 1740.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dighe |first=Vishvanath Govind |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.4317/ |title=Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion |date=1944 |publisher=Karnatak Publishing House |page=203}}</ref> He was cremated the same day on the bank of [[Narmada River]]. Balaji Baji Rao ordered [[Ranoji Scindia|Ranoji Shinde]] to build a [[chhatri]] as a memorial. The memorial is enclosed by a [[Dharamshala (type of building)|dharmashala]]. The compound has two temples, dedicated to Nilkantheshwar Mahadev ([[Shiva]]) and Rameshwar ([[Rama]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asibhopal.nic.in/monument/khargone_raverkhedi_brindab.html |title=Brindaban dedicated to the memory of Shrimant Baji Rao Peshwa |publisher=ASI Bhopal |access-date=23 December 2015 |archive-date=24 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224103826/http://www.asibhopal.nic.in/monument/khargone_raverkhedi_brindab.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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|
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| == In popular culture ==
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| *Character of Bajirao is portrayed in Marathi audio web series ‘Shrimant Kashibai Bajirao Peshwe’ created by Cultural Legacy of India.
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| *''Bajirao Mastani'', a 1925 Indian silent film about the Peshwa directed by Nanubhai B. Desai and [[Bhalji Pendharkar]].<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen1999">{{cite book|last1=Rajadhyaksha|first1=Ashish|last2=Willemen|first2=Paul|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofi0000raja|url-access=registration|access-date=12 August 2012|year=1999|publisher=British Film Institute|isbn=9780851706696 }}</ref>
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| *''[[Rau (novel)|Rau]]'', a 1972 fictional [[Marathi language|Marathi]] [[novel]] by [[Nagnath S. Inamdar]], featured a love story of Baji Rao I and Mastani.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xn43DQAAQBAJ|title=Rau – The Great Love Story of Bajirao Mastani|last=Inamdar|first=N. S.|date=20 October 2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|isbn=978-1-5098-5227-7|language=en}}</ref>
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| * ''Mastani'', 1955 film directed by Dhirubhai Desai. It starred [[Nigar Sultana (actress)|Nigar Sultana]], Manher Desai, [[Shahu Modak]] and [[Agha (actor)|Agha]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Ashish Rajadhyaksha|author2=Paul Willemen|title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLkABAAAQBAJ&pg=PT278|date=10 July 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-94318-9|page=278}}</ref>
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| *The 2015 historical drama film ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'', directed by [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]], starred [[Ranveer Singh]] as Baji Rao I.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jha|first=Subhash K|title=Bajirao Mastani review: This gloriously epic Priyanka, Deepika and Ranveer-starrer is the best film of 2015|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/bajirao-mastani-review-this-is-the-best-film-of-2015-2550464.html|publisher=[[Firstpost]]|date=19 October 2015|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>
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| * ''Shrimant Peshwa Bajirao Mastani'', another Indian TV series broadcast on [[ETV Marathi]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chari |first1=Mridula |title=Historians know very little about Mastani—or her relationship with Bajirao |url=https://qz.com/india/575194/historians-know-very-little-about-mastani-or-her-relationship-with-bajirao/ |website=[[Quartz India]] |language=en |date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
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| * ''[[Peshwa Bajirao (TV series)|Peshwa Bajirao]]'', a 2017 TV series starring Rudra Soni as young Baji Rao and [[Karan Suchak]] as the adult Baji Rao, aired on [[Sony TV]].<ref>{{citation |title=Peshwa Bajirao Review: Anuja Sathe shines as Radhabai in the period drama |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/peshwa-bajirao-review-anuja-sathe-shines-as-radha-bai-in-the-period-drama-lifetv/1/866331.html |work=[[India Today]] |date=25 January 2017 }}</ref>
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|
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| ==See also==
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| * [[Maratha rulers]]
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|
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| == References ==
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| {{Reflist}}
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|
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| == Further reading ==
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| * {{Cite book|last1=Palsokar|first1=R. D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UU1uAAAAMAAJ|title=Bajirao I: An Outstanding Cavalry General|last2=Reddy|first2=T. Rabi|year=1995|publisher=Reliance Publishing House|isbn=978-81-85972-94-7}}
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| * {{Cite book|last=Paul|first=E. Jaiwant|url=https://books.google.com?id=6GVhAAAACAAJ|title=Baji Rao: The Warrior Peshwa|year=2000|publisher=Roli Books|isbn=978-81-7436-129-5}}
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| * {{Cite book|last=Kulkarni|first=Uday S|title=The Era of Baji rao|publisher=Mula-Mutha Publishers|year=2016|isbn=978-81-9210-803-2}}
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| * {{Cite book|last=Vidhate|first=Kaka|url=https://granthpremi.com/product/devyoddha|title=देवयोद्धा(novel)|publisher=Prafullata Prakashan|year=2019|isbn=978-81-9382-933-2}}
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| * {{Cite book|last=Godse|first=D. G.|author-link=D. G. Godse|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UzKccQAACAAJ|title=मस्तानी|trans-title=Mastani|year=1989|publisher=Popular Prakashan Pvt. Limited|isbn=978-81-7185-363-2|language=mr}}
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|
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| == External links ==
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| {{commons category}}
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| * [http://art.virtualpune.com/HISTORY/html/shaniwar.shtml Shaniwar Wada – the Peshwa palace at Pune] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709060852/http://art.virtualpune.com/HISTORY/html/shaniwar.shtml |date=9 July 2011 }}
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|
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| {{s-start}}
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| {{succession box
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| | before=[[Balaji Vishwanath|Balaji Vishwanath Bhat]]
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| | title=[[Peshwa]]
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| | years=1720–1740 | after=[[Nanasaheb Peshwa|Balaji Baji Rao]]
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| }}
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| {{s-end}}
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| {{MarathaEmpire}}
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| {{Pune topics}}
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| {{Peshawe family}}
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|
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| {{Authority control}}
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|
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Baji Rao 01, Peshwa}}
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|
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| [[Category:Peshwa dynasty]]
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| [[Category:Marathi people]]
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| [[Category:1700 births]]
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| [[Category:1740 deaths]]
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| [[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
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| [[Category:Indian generals]]
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This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect: