Baji Rao / Baji Rao Mastani / Baji Rao I /Bajirao

Baji Rao

Peshwa / General of the Maratha Empire

Baji Rao

BORN :  18 August 1700

DIED : 28 April 1740

REIGN :  27 April 1720 – 28 April 1740

FATHER : Balaji Viswanath

After the death of Balaji Vishwanath, his eldest son, Baji Rao, was appointed the Peshwa by Sahu. This was done in spite of the opposition of his advisers and chiefs. At the time of coming to power, Balaji Rao was hardly a Young-man of 19. In spite of his youth, Baji Rao possessed plenty of commonsense, intelligence and very good physique. He was well-versed in diplomacy and administration. He correctly came to the conclusion that the Mughal power was declining and it was possible to snatch away the provinces from it. Baji Rao made the following observation in that connection “Now is our time to drive the strangers from the countr of the Hindus, and acquire immortal renown. Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree and the branches will fall off themselves. By directing our efforts to Hindustan, the Maratha flag shall fly from the Krishna to Attock.” Sahu approved of his policy in these words: “You shall plant it beyond the Himalayas. You are, indeed, a noble son of a worthy father,” Baji Rao reorganized the armies of the State and started his campaigns in 1731.

Baji Rao loved a Muslim dancing girl named Mastani. She was an exceedingly accomplished lady and was the most charming lady of her time in India. She was a good musician and looked after Baji Rao like a devoted wife. It is said that Baji Rao’s addiction to meat and wine was due to her influence. Both of them died in 1740.

All his life Baji Rao tried to accomplish two things. He tried to expand the Maratha power in the north and also tried to ensure harmonious co-operation of the Maratha confederacy by a process of inter-dependence of its various members. He succeeded in his mission of extending the Maratha power in the north but in his second mission he failed. His attitude towards the Maratha Confederacy was one of domination. What he aimed at was that the members of the Maratha Confederacy should be guided by the Peshwa. Their internal and external relations should be scrutinized and controlled by him. They should not make war and peace without his approval. His foreign conquests were also meant to include the conquest of the Maratha Confederacy. He did not want actually to rule over Maharashtra but he wanted to dominate over the whole of Maharashtra.

Baji Rao has been criticized for his aggressive attitude towards the Maratha Confederacy. It is pointed out that he should have followed a policy of conciliation towards them. However, it appears that his own experience during the first 11 years of office had brought him to the conclusion that he could not expect sympathy and co-operation from his colleagues or the Maratha chiefs. The result of his policy was that a deep resentment was created against his domination.

Baji Rao enjoyed the confidence of Chhatrapati Sahu. The result was that Shau left everything into the hands of the Peshwa, Baji Rao had his way in everything. This directly resulted in undermining the authority of the Chhatrapati. The Peshwa decided to make Poona, the city of his power. In 1730, he started building a castle there and later on the same was strongly fortified.

Baji Rao was a great general and soldier. He possessed an indomitable courage and extraordinary personal bravery. He was incomparable as a soldier. No amount of hardship or fatigue was too much for his iron constitution. In guerilla warfare, he had no equal. He was next only to Shivaji. The way he humbled the pride of Nizam-ul-Mulk shows his ability. He inspired his followers with confidence and commanded their loylty. He led them from victory to victory. His mobility and brilliant tactics were responsible for his success. His originality of plan, boldness of execution and eye for strategy show the he was a great commander. He stands head and shoulders above his contemporaries in Maharashtra. He had the head to plan and the hand to execute.

According to Sardesai, “It is not necessary to write separately about Baji Rao’s character and achievements. His deeds speak for him. He stands next only to Shivaji in a military genius. Sahu’s discernment in selecting him for the Peshwaship at the early age of nineteen was more than justified. That a boy in his teens  assuming the highest position under the Maratha Chhatrapati, should be able within twenty years to extend the Maratha dominion in all directions, north, south, east and west and to overcome great antagonists both  at home and abroad is an achievement which stands to the permanent credit of the Maratha race. Twenty years spent in breathless activity and tireless  journeys across the Indian continent from Srirangpattam to Delhi and from Ahmadabad to Hyderabad, wore out the iron constitution of this great man of action the twenty years of his active career witnessed a complete revolution in the character of the Maratha State and an entire redistribution of political power throughout India. At his death in 1740 the political center of gravity shifted from the court of Delhi to that of Sahu. The system introduced by Baji Rao’s father and executed by him and his son, equally transformed the constitution laid down by Shivaji and dotted the map of India with numerous centers of Maratha power. Thus Baji Rao became the creator of greater Maharashtra.”

According to H.G. Rawlinson, “He was the most remarkable man next to Shivaji himself that his nation had produced. He was equally great as a soldier and as a statesman. He understood to perfection the peculiar tactics of the Maratha horse and his campaigns against the Nizam were masterpieces of strategy. He was as chivalrous in the hour of victory as he was brave in the field.

According to Sinha, “Despite his great talents as a soldier and a leader of men, Baji Rao lacked some of the sterling qualities of a statesman. He was domineering in his attitude towards others and overbearing in his manners. He was a soldier of the core and could never bear opposition. It is said that he had the head to plan and the hand to execute. Baji Rao made many enemies in his lifetime and left as many behind. He did not know how to conciliate. He knew how to domineer.

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Milan Tomic

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