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Nanasaheb Peshwa

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Nanasaheb Peshwa, also known as Balaji Bajirao, (born 1720 or 1721 - Died 1761) was one of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire. He contributed heavily to the development of the city of Pune, India. He was appointed as Peshwa by Chattrapati Shahu himself. At time of his death in 1749, the issueless Shahu made the Peshwas the rulers of the Maratha Empire.

Contribution to Pune city

During his 20 year reign (1740 to 1761), Balaji Bajirao completely transformed Pune from a nagar into a big city. He established many new neighbourhoods (called peths) like Sadashiv Peth, Nana Peth, Etc. He built the famous Parvati temple atop a hill that overlooks the city and built the first permanent bridge across the river Mutha. (That bridge was made of wood, so the new concrete bridge that stands at the same location today is also called LakDi Pool or 'the wooden bridge'). He also established a reservoir at the nearby town of Katraj to provide clean running water to the city. The 250 year old system is still functioning, but parts of it have been destroyed by careless development.

His reign

His career saw some of the best and worst moments of the Maratha empire. Maratha power in India reached its peak under his reign. Balaji Bajirao, his uncle (Kaka) Chimaji Appa (younger Brother of Bajirao-I), his cousin Sadashivrao Bhau (Chimaji Appa's son), and his younger brother Raghunathrao were successful in establishing and consolidating Maratha dominance in India. He radically extended the Maratha Empire. However, he is partly responsible for the downfall of the Maratha navy and the defeat of the Marathas at the Battle of Panipat (1761).

List of Battles

The Battle of Panipat

Nanasaheb lost his cousin, Sadashivrao Bhau (the son of Chimaji Appa), and his eldest son, Vishwasrao, at the disastrous Third Battle of Panipat. He could not recover from the shock, and died soon after the debacle. He was succeeded by his second son, Madhavrao Peshwa. The period after his reign 1761-1768 was an unsteady period for the Maratha Empire.

See also

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