Madhavrao I

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Madhavrao Peshwa (1745 – 1772) was the second son of Nanasaheb Peshwa. He ruled Pune, India from (1761 - 1772). He became ill (possibly due to tuberculosis) in 1771 and died in 1772 at an early age of 27. He was succeeded by his younger brother Narayanrao Peshwa.

Background

The Maratha Empire after the Battle of Panipat in 1761 was completely devastated. Nanasaheb Peshwa was unable to bear the shock of this defeat and death of his brother and elder son Vishwasrao who died on the battlefield at Panipat (historians still have different opinions about their demise). The entire empire was in a shambles with an entire generation of Maratha warriors wiped out.

Madhavrao was elected peshwa at this critical moment, while his uncle Raghunathrao was selected as a regent for the new Peshwa. Mahadji Shinde was very close to him. He re-established Maratha pride and fear among its neighbour kingdoms, establishing Maratha supremacy over the Nizam of Hyderabad. He was the most capable Peshwa after Bajirao I. He brought glory to the Marathas which had been lost because of the terrible defeat at Panipat.

Madhavrao I

Background

Further reading