Bajirao I – Prime Minister of the Maratha Empire and a Man of the Battlefield

Bajirao I was born on August 18, 1700. From April 27, 1720 until April 28, 1740 he served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shahu. Bajirao I was also known as Thorale Bajirao and Bajirao Ballal. Apart from his role as prime minister, he was also a general of the Maratha Empire in India. He expanded the Maratha Empire mainly in the north and he was the most influential of the nine Peshwas of the Bhat family. Even though he had a military career of 20 years, he never lost a battle.

A Controversial Personal Life

As for his personal life, it was very controversial. His first wife was Kashibai and together they had three sons: Balaji Baji Rao also known as Nana Saheb, Raghunath Rao, and Janardan Rao who died young. In 1740, after Bajirao’s death, Nana Saheb succeeded him as Peshwa.

Bajirao’s second wife was Mastani and he was deeply in love with her. She was the daughter of Chhatrasal. Bajirao built her a palace located in Pune. The place was called the Mastani Mahal. At the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune a reconstruction of the palace can be seen. One interesting aspect to note about the reconstruction is that it includes remains of the original palace.

An equestrian statue of Peshwa Bajirao I outside the Shaniwar Wada (Shaniwar Palace) in Pune. (CC BY-SA 3.0)