New Delhi: Bajirao I is widely considered to be the greatest Peshwa in the history of the Maratha Empire and also its most charismatic leader after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He rose to prominence at a very early age and when he passed away, he was just 39 years old. Yet, he left behind a legacy which is revered to this day. In this article, we will take a look at the life and legacy of Peshwa Bajirao I.
The campaigns of Peshwa Bajirao I
Peshwa Bajirao I gained fame due to his military adventures by the age of 20 and it was a reputation which would stay with him for the rest of his life and beyond. His early campaigns were in the Deccan region where the Nizam of Hyderabad became a significant threat who was looking to carve out his kingdom independent of the Mughal and Maratha Empires. Bajirao decisively defeated the Nizam at Palkheda and the win consolidated the authority of the Maratha Empire in the Deccan region. In Bundelkhand, he saved Chhatrasal, the Bundela ruler from a siege of the Mughal Empire which resulted in the independence of Bundelkhand. A grateful Chhatrasal gave Bajirao a jagir and his daughter’s hand in marriage.
He further consolidated the strength of the Marathe Empire in Gujarat and secured tax rights in the region in the 1730s. He led a diplomatic mission to persuade Rajputs to an alliance with the empire and later waged the Battle of Delhi. The war, which he waged against the Mughal Empire in 1737, ensured him the Viceroyalty of Malwa. He secured Malwa after defeating the combined forces of Mughal Emperor, Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Awadh in the Battle of Bhopal in 1737.
The legacy of Peshwa Bajirao I
Peshwa Bajirao I is hailed as a legendary warrior and general who was extremely skilled at rapid tactical movements in battle. His troops could live off the land with little concern about supply and communication lines and used to engage in ‘manoeuvre warfare’ against the enemy. He died on April 28, 1740, from illness after his body was exhausted from ceaseless warfare. His life has been extensively adapted in popular culture, in films and novels. Also, his relationship with his second wife Mastani has been subject to controversy and popular narrative.
Peshwa Bajirao I gained fame due to his military adventures by the age of 20 and it was a reputation which would stay with him for the rest of his life and beyond. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
