Peshwa BajiRao I : The supreme warrior.

History!!! History always fascinates me. From the early of childhood I'm much addicted to history. History that may be the political history, geographical history, economical history always attracts me. History is something which gives you a dip insights about the past events and it helps you in present date to know about the past. And also be useful to forecast the major events in future.

So as history aficionado today I thought to write on a one such Historic king who was undefeated until his last breath. A King who always ignite a flame of his determination and bravery in thousands of people's like me. Today is his birthday. 

He is none other than Bajirao Peshwa 1 (Rau)

The fact of matter is that, the only WARRIOR CUM GENRAL PRIME MINISTER BAJIRAO BALLAL PESHWA who never ever lost a even single battle, in trailblazing career of 20 years. He is unique and only warrior of the world who till his death remained UNDEFEATED & VICTOR.

Bajirao Peshwa, who was accustomed only to the victories and who through his unparalleled political and military leadership expanded maratha kingdom From Deccan (Present Indian states of MH and KN) to right up to the attock of North India (Present day in Pakistan) bringing a major part of the India under the control of Maratha Empire and it's emperor Shahu (the first grandson of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the son of Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj)

Today 18th Aug 2021 is the 321th birth anniversary of the Great Bajirao Peshwa 1 (second prime minister of Maratha Empire,in thd reign of emperor Shahu Maharaj.)

The Great Bajirao Peshwa I - 18 Aug 1700 to 28 April 1740

Peshwa BajiRao 1 was the eldest son of Balaji Vishwanath, who was first Peshwa of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Bajirao was born into the Bhat family(Brahman community in Konkan) on August 18, 1700 his younger brother Chimaji Appa, who prove to be equally renowned warrior. 

Rau (Nickname of Bajirao Ballal) was brought up in Saswad in Pune. 

At only age of 20 years Bajirao Peshwa 1 was appointed as Peshwa( the word Peshwa literally means Prime minister of the state) upon the death of his father who was extremely brilliant warrior and astute diplomat.

 Bajirao was very intelligent since his childhood he knows all the military tactics. It is quite clear from this appointment of Bajirao Peshwa 1 that Shahu Was recognized his talent even as boy and positioned him as Peshwa.

(Physically, Bajirao was Said to bs very fine specimen of mainly Beauty and exemplary courage and was hugely popular with his Soldiers) 

Even today his name is an honourable one in the present day Indian Military. So much of that military tactics are taught in the Indian Military Schools even today. His victory at the battle if PALKHEKD is supposed to be a study in itself.

Once a legend Bajirao standing before Shahu  Maharaj and his court , and said:

"Let us transcend the barren of Deccan and conquer central India. The mughal have become weak indolent womanizers and opium addicts. The accumulated wealth of Centuries in the vaults of North , can be ours"

It's a time to drive from the holy, land of Bharatavarsh (India), the outcasts and the barbarians. Let us throw them back over the Himalayas, back to where they came from.

The Maratha Flag must be fly from the Krishna(river) to the Indus(river). "HINDUSTAN IS OURS"

He is further supposed to have fixed his piercing gaze on Shahu Maharaj and said, 

    "Strike, strike at the trunk and the branches will fall of themselves. Listen but to my counsel, and I shall plant the saffron flag on the walls of Attock"

Emperor Shahu Maharaj was deeply impressed and exclaimed,

"By heaven, you shall plant it on the mighty Himalayas"

This story indicates the vision of Bajirao and the faith of Shahu Maharaj on young Bajirao.

The yellow area was the empire of Maratha won by Bajirao Peshwa I in 20 years.

◆ Some intresting facts about Peshwa Bajirao 1

● Bajirao Peshwa 1, who fought over 41 major battles and many other small, is reputed never to have lost a battle. General Montgomery, British General and later field Marshal after WWII, affirmed this in his Writings.

● He was one of the first to understand and exploit the weakness of mughal empire. The declining influence of Syed brothers at the Imperial court was another factor influencing his decision to attack.

● The later Kingdoms of Scindias (Ranoji Shinde) of Gwalior, Holkars (Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads (Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars (Udaiji) of Dhar were created by Baji Rao as part of a Maratha Empire, as he wreaked havoc on the disintegrating Mughal Empire and set up his jagirdars (fiefdoms). ( …Bajirao's greatness lay in the fact that he not only won the battles implementing innovative strategies but also in the fact that  he was equally innovative in Maintaining The newly won Territories by appointing Generals brave & loyal to him, Shahu and the Empire…)

●He moved the administrative capital of the Maratha Empire from Satara to the city of Pune in 1728.

(Next time you visit 'Shaniwar Wada' in the Heart of Pune, don't forget that this was the seat of CAPITAL of INDIA  and Peshwas ruled INDIA from here till 1818 whence after it fell to British due to internal power-struggle & corruption)

●In 1732, after the death of Maharaja Chhatrasal, a long-time ally of the Maratha Empire, Baji Rao was granted one-third of Chhatrasal's kingdom in Bundelkhand. 

(The territories of Kalpi, Jhansi, Saugor etc)

● An outstanding cavalry leader, Baji Rao was loved by his troops and his people. 

He fought for the protection of Hindu Dharma, and freed central and western India from Mughals. 

Under his command, Marathas defeated the Siddis (Moghul admirals), Portuguese, and Nizam, Bangash and other generals.

● The Mughal emperor feared him to such an extent that they denied to fix a meeting with Bajirao.

● Malwa (1723), Dhar (1724), Aurangabad (1724), Battle of Palkhed (1728), Firozabad (1737), Delhi (1737), Bhopal (1738) and Battle of Vasai (1739) were some of the major battles won by Bajirao.

● The Battle of Palkhed was one of his greatest clashes which was fought against Nizam-Ul-Mulk, the sworn rivals of the Marathas. Peshwa's innovative warfare tactics was acclaimed by the world and a huge amount of armoury was left by the Nizam, who fled in bustle. A senior British General, Bernard Montgomery called Bajirao's victory at Palkhed as a "masterpiece of strategic mobility".

● Bajirao Peshwa I is ranked as the hero of Hinduism as he protected the Hindu religion from the incursion of the Islamic emperors but never put a ban on the practise of Islam. He was a major devotee of Shiva.

●Battle of Jaitpur Was famous and set up the basis for the blockbuster movie Bajirao Mastani where. Bangash Khan Pathan was dethroned by Peshwa Bajirao 1. 

Peshwa Bajirao"s Death:

Baji Rao died on April 28,1740, at the young age, 

He died of Sudden High Fever, possibly a hear stroke, while inspecting his jagirs (fiefdoms)

He was enroute to Delhi with one lakh troops under his command at his camp in the district of Khargaon near Indore (MP). He was cremated on April 28, 1740 at Raverkhedi on the Bank of Narmada River, Khargaon. 

A memorial was built by Scindias. And a Shiva temples is also located nearby.

Clearly Bajirao had head with a sound judgement, daring of a lion and cunning of a Fox.

Today in this hard times we are very blessed of having these Peshwas and more importantly The Maratha Kings Like Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj who protect us from all the evil powers around us. These are the real heroes who dethroned the mighty Mughals from the Hindustan. I always bow my head in their respect!!

One of my Favorite quote by Peshwa Bajirao:

"हर युद्ध का नतीजा तलवारों से नहीं होता, तलवार से ज्यादा धार चलाने वाले की सोच में होनी चाहिए"

Until next time,

Adios then

-Gaurav🙏😀