Generally, whenever we discuss the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire, Peshwa Bajirao often takes center stage. However another prominent figure deserves recognition who truly saved this great empire from decline : Peshwa Madhavrao. Assuming the position at the age of 16, he worked diligently and restored the lost glory of Marathas before his untimely death at the age of just 27.
Birth & Early Life
This remarkable personality was born on 15 February 1745 in Savanur, located in present day Karnataka. His father, Balaji Bajirao served as Peshwa & mother was Gopikabai. His elder brother, Vishwasrao, was heir to the throne but was martyred at the Third Battle of Panipat. He also had a younger brother, Narayanrao & got married to a loving & spiritual girl Ramabai at the tender age of just 13.
A Huge Loss
On that fateful day of 14 January 1761, the brave Maratha warriors suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of Afghan fighters. Countless soldiers were martyred. Many people were injured and some were even made slaves. The Peshwa was extremely shocked by this news and he soon fell seriously ill and eventually died.
Early Leadership
After the death of his father, Madhavrao was appointed to the post of Peshwa and his uncle Raghunathrao acted as regent until he himself became capable. However, soon differences between them started increasing. After the devastating defeat at Panipat, the Maratha Empire was in a very precarious situation. The administration was in a very weakened state, while the treasury was in disarray. When all these things were brought to the notice of Madhavrao, he made constructive reforms.
Personal Character
He was a man of exceptional integrity. This is evident from a famous story when he fined his maternal uncle for allowing the Nizam’s army to plunder Pune without any resistance. Under his leadership, the Maratha army had defeated Hyder Ali Of Mysore several times in battles.
Patron of Temples
He was also the patron of several temples, the prominent ones being the Siddhivinayak Mahaganapathi Temple of Titwala and the Chintamani Temple of Theur. He held a special reverence for this temple, where he ultimately breathed his last. Apart from this, he constructed a room for the murti of Ranjangaon Ganapati.
Resurrection of the Empire
Peshwa Madhavrao I was the main architect of the Maratha resurgence along with Mahadji Scindia and Nana Fadnavis. Peshwa resurrected the Empire in Deccan and Southern India by defeating Nizam of Hyderabad & Hyder Ali of Mysore. On the other hand, Mahadji defeated the Jats of Mathura, Rajputs & Rohillas of Najibabad, re-establishing the Marathas in Northern Bharat. They avenged their defeat in 1761 by desecrating the tomb of Najib ad-Dawlah. After capturing Najibabad in 1772, the Maratha Resurrection was completed.
Untimely Demise
Unfortunately, on 18 November 1772, Peshwa died due to Tuberculosis. Some experts believe that if he had lived a few more years, British influence in Bharat not have grown as significantly. Tribute to this great man.
