Unveiling the Remarkable Legacy of the "Second Founder of the Maratha State"
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| Peshwa Balaji Viswanath |
Balaji Viswanath's ascendance to power came at a crucial juncture for the Maratha Empire. The kingdom had been ravaged by internal conflicts and was persistently threatened by the encroaching Mughals, led by the tyrant Aurangzeb. It was in this tumultuous backdrop that Balaji Viswanath emerged as a beacon of hope, guiding the young Maratha king, Shahu, toward reclaiming and consolidating the Maratha territories. The impact of Balaji Viswanath's accomplishments extended far beyond his own lifetime. His son, Bajirao I, succeeded him as the Peshwa and continued the legacy of Maratha dominance. Under their guidance, the Maratha Empire grew in influence and territorial reach, establishing itself as a formidable force in Indian history.
Through this blog, we embark on a captivating journey into the life and achievements of Balaji Viswanath. We will explore his remarkable political acumen, strategic genius, and unwavering commitment to the cause of the Marathas. From his humble beginnings to his pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the empire, we will delve into the captivating narrative of a visionary leader whose legacy still reverberates today.Join us as we unravel the untold stories, shed light on the lesser-known facets, and celebrate the indelible contributions of Balaji Viswanath, the enigmatic pioneer who played a transformative role in the rise of the Maratha Empire. Brace yourself for an enlightening exploration of history, power, and the remarkable life of a visionary leader.
Balaji Vishwanath Bhat was born into a distinguished Marathi Konkanastha Chitpavan Brahmin family, hailing from the coastal Konkan region of present-day Maharashtra. Known for their hereditary Deshmukh position in Shrivardhan under the Siddi of Janjira, his family held a respected status within the local community. However, Balaji's ambitions led him to seek employment in the upper regions of the Western Ghats, where he found opportunities as a mercenary trooper serving under various Maratha generals.
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| Chattrapatti Sambhaji |
During the reign of Sambhaji or the regency of his brother, Rajaram, Balaji Vishwanath entered the Maratha administration. He began his service as an accountant for the Maratha general, Dhanaji Jadhav, at Janjira, as documented by Kincaid & Parasnis. From 1699 to 1702, Balaji held the position of Sar-subhedar or head-administrator at Pune. Subsequently, he served as the Sarsubedar of Daulatabad from 1704 to 1707. Balaji's capabilities as an honest and able officer became evident during his time in office.
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| Chattrapatti Rajaram |
The Maratha Empire faced significant challenges following the death of Shivaji. His sons, Sambhaji and Rajaram, continued the Maratha war against the Mughal Empire. Emperor Aurangzeb sought to quash the burgeoning Maratha state and entered the Deccan in 1686. This marked the beginning of a ceaseless 27-year-long warfare between the Mughals and the Marathas. Despite the cruel executions of Sambhaji and the premature death of Rajaram, Rajaram's widow, Tarabai, carried on the resistance. Meanwhile, Sambhaji's young son, Shahu, was captured and held captive by the Mughals.
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| Chattrapatti Shahu |
Following Dhanaji's death in June 1708, Shahu appointed Chandrasen as Senapati. However, there emerged a rivalry between Chandrasen and Balaji, leading Chandrasen to conspire with Tarabai while seeking an opportunity to eliminate Balaji. A dispute over the conduct of a junior officer in Balaji's employ prompted Chandrasen to attack Balaji, who sought refuge in the fortress of Purandar. Chandrasen besieged Purandar, forcing Balaji to flee once again, this time to Pandavgad. From Pandavgad, Balaji sent an emissary to plead for help from his sovereign, Shahu.
In response, Shahu had Balaji Vishwanath brought under escort to his capital, Satara. He asked Chandrasen to present the case against Balaji Vishwanath before him. However, instead of obeying Shahu's command, Chandrasen defected to Tarabai's cause in April 1711. Even Haibatrao Nimbalkar, who Shahu had dispatched against Chandrasen, defected to Tarabai, leaving Shahu in a precarious position. Bereft of his experienced generals, Shahu turned to Balaji Vishwanath, who pledged to raise a new army in support of Shahu. Recognizing his loyalty and abilities, Shahu bestowed upon Balaji the title of Senakarte or Organizer of Maratha armies on 20 August 1711.
Balaji then turned against Tarabai and her own web of intrigues. With the connivance of disgruntled elements in Tarabai's court, Balaji hatched a conspiracy leading to the fall of Tarabai at Kolhapur in 1712. He induced Rajaram's other widow, Rajasbai, to conduct a coup against Tarabai's son, Shivaji II, and installed her own son, Sambhaji II, on the throne of Kolhapur. This brought the ruling house of Kolhapur under the protection and subordination of Shahu at that time.
Balaji Vishwanath's role during the Maratha Civil War demonstrated his strategic acumen and political maneuvering. His actions were instrumental in consolidating Shahu's power and establishing a stable foundation for the Maratha Empire. While controversies surround some of his decisions, Balaji's unwavering commitment to the Maratha cause and his loyalty to Shahu remained evident throughout his eventful journey.
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| Kanhoji Angre |
Following the resolution of internal conflicts, Shahu turned his attention to subduing the formidable Angre clan. Tukoji Angre had previously commanded Chattrapati Shivaji's navy, and upon his death in 1690, his son Kanhoji Angre took the helm. Tarabai granted Kanhoji the title of "Sarkhel" or Koli, designating him as the Admiral of the Maratha fleet.
The ongoing conflict between Tarabai and Shahu presented an opportunity for Kanhoji to assert his independence from their suzerainty. Taking advantage of the situation, Kanhoji seized control of the vital trading center of Kalyan and the neighboring forts of Rajmachi and Lohgad. Shahu, recognizing the threat posed by Kanhoji, dispatched a large force led by his Prime Minister, Bahiroji Pingale, to confront him. However, Kanhoji emerged victorious, defeating Pingale and imprisoning him at Lohagad. Emboldened by his success, Kanhoji set his sights on advancing towards Shahu's capital, Satara.
In response to the growing threat, Shahu called upon Balaji Vishwanath once again, tasking him with raising a new army to subdue Kanhoji. However, Balaji favored a diplomatic approach and was appointed as Shahu's plenipotentiary to negotiate with the admiral. Balaji and Kanhoji met at Lonavala, where he appealed to Kanhoji's sense of patriotism and commitment to the Maratha cause. Recognizing the benefits of aligning with Shahu, Kanhoji agreed to become the Sarkhel (admiral) of Shahu's navy, granting him control over the Konkan region.
United in their efforts, Balaji and Kanhoji jointly launched an offensive against the Muslim Siddis of Janjira. Their combined forces successfully captured significant portions of the Konkan coast, including Shrivardhan, Balaji's birthplace, which became part of the Angre fiefdom. Impressed with Balaji's accomplishments and his diplomatic skills, Shahu dismissed Bahiroji Pingale and appointed Balaji Vishwanath as the Peshwa on 16 November 1713.
Balaji Vishwanath's negotiation with Kanhoji Angre not only secured the loyalty and cooperation of the powerful Angre clan but also expanded Maratha influence along the Konkan coast. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Balaji's tenure as the influential Peshwa, a position that would shape the destiny of the Maratha Empire in the years to come.
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| Syed Hussain Ali Khan |
Following the death of Bahadur Shah in 1709, the Mughal Empire plunged into a power vacuum characterized by internal strife and conflicts among the imperial family and influential nobles. In 1713, Farrukhsiyar ascended the throne with the support of the Sayyid Brothers, Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan, and Sayyid Abdullah Khan, who had gained significant influence as kingmakers in the Mughal court. However, tensions soon arose between Farrukhsiyar and the Sayyid Brothers, and the Marathas emerged as a key factor in the power struggles between the emperor and the Sayyids .
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| Syed Abdullah Khan |
In an attempt to free himself from the influence of the Sayyids in 1718, Farrukhsiyar appointed Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan as the Viceroy of the Deccan, instructing him to restore Mughal authority in the south. However, Hussain Ali Khan found himself constantly harassed by the Marathas, who employed their well-known guerrilla tactics. Unable to defeat the Marathas in conventional warfare and weary of chasing after their elusive horsemen, Hussain Ali Khan sought to negotiate peace with them.
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| Farukkhsiyar |
In July 1718, Balaji Vishwanath entered into negotiations with Hussain Ali Khan, resulting in the Maratha-Mughal Treaty. Under this agreement, the Marathas demanded the right of "Chauth" (one-fourth of revenues) and "Sardeshmukhi" (an additional 10% of revenues) from the old Mughal provinces in the Deccan. Balaji Vishwanath also insisted on receiving Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the prosperous provinces of Gujarat and Malwa. In return, Balaji promised that Shahu, the Maratha ruler, would acknowledge nominal overlordship of the Mughal Emperor and provide a force of 15,000 armed horsemen to the Mughal Empire. Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan readily agreed to these demands, intending to utilize the Maratha soldiers in his struggle against the Emperor.
However, Farrukhsiyar refused to ratify the treaty and plotted to depose and assassinate the Sayyid Brothers. The conspiracy was uncovered by Sayyid Abdullah Khan, who was in Delhi at the time. Abdullah Khan managed to neutralize other powerful Mughal nobles, such as Asaf Jah I and Sarbuland Khan, by offering them promising governorships in Malwa and Kabul, respectively. In September 1718, accompanied by Balaji Vishwanath and supported by a formidable force of sixteen thousand Maratha horsemen led by the valiant Parsoji Bhosale, Hussain Ali Khan arrived in Delhi. Many of Farrukhsiyar's supporters fled, but the Emperor's loyalists put up resistance, resulting in the loss of two thousand Maratha soldiers.
As a consequence, Farrukhsiyar was dethroned, blinded, and imprisoned by the Sayyids. They replaced him with a more compliant puppet ruler, Rafi-ul-darjat, in February 1719. However, Rafi-ul-darjat, who was suffering from tuberculosis, ruled for only three months before being replaced by his older brother Rafi Ud-Daulah. Rafi-ul-Darjat ratified the Maratha treaty, and Shahu and his successors were recognized by the Mughal Emperors as the rightful heirs to Chattrapati Shivaji. The Mughal Empire effectively was slowly moving towards a path of becoming a puppet government of the Marathas, who received one-fourth of the total revenue as Chauth and an additional 10% for providing protection.
Shahu I aimed to establish his rule in the northern part of the Kolhapur territory. After defeating Shivaji II of Kolhapur in 1714, Sambhaji II, the son of Rajasbai, became the Chhatrapati of Kolhapur. Under the guidance of Ramchandra Pant Amatya, he governed his territory. However, in 1716, Ramchandra Pant passed away in Panhala. Following his death, Sambhaji began raiding Shahu's territory with the support of Udaji Chavan and Yashwantrao Thorat. Chavan controlled Shirol, while Yashwantrao held Ashta, Yelvi, Walwa, and the jagir in the Warana valleys.
The Battle of Panhala ensued when Balaji Vishwanath returned from Delhi with imperial sanads and decided to confront Sambhaji. Balaji captured Ashta, Yelvi, and other villages in the Warana valley before launching an attack on Panhala. Meanwhile, Yashwantrao Thorat, who was in Bijapur territory, learned that Balaji had taken control of his jagir in the Warana valley and rushed to defend Panhala fort. The forces of Peshwa Balaji and Yashwantrao faced each other near Panhala fort in 1719. Yashwantrao Thorat was defeated and killed in what became known as the "Battle of Panhala."
Upon his triumphant return to Satara from Delhi, Balaji secured the release of Shahu's mother, Yesubai, his wife, Savitribai, and his half-brother, Madan Singh, who had been held captive by the Mughals for decades. However, Balaji's health began to deteriorate due to fatigue from his laborious efforts and the arduous journey back from the imperial capital. In October 1719, he received permission from Shahu to retire to the village of Saswad near Pune, which had been granted to the Peshwa. Balaji Vishwanath passed away on 12 April 1720. He was succeeded by his elder son, the renowned Baji Rao I, who was appointed Peshwa by Chattrapati Shahu.
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| A statue of Peswha Balaji Viswanath in Maharashtra |
Balaji Vishwanath also laid the foundation for the intricate administrative system that governed the Marathas for a century after his death. The Marathas' tax collection system in the Mughal provinces was based on an extensive network of agents and collectors, supported by credit facilities from established banking families. This system played a vital role in the expansion of the Maratha empire.
Balaji Vishwanath's indelible mark on the Maratha Empire cannot be overstated. His astute political acumen, diplomatic finesse, administrative reforms, and military campaigns were instrumental in shaping the destiny of the Marathas. Balaji Vishwanath's achievements continue to inspire and captivate the imagination of generations, solidifying his place as a revered figure in the annals of Indian history. His contributions to the Maratha Empire and his enduring legacy as the first Peshwa make him a remarkable and influential figure in the tapestry of Indian history.
Bibliography:
1. Sardesai, G. S., editor. "'Rise of Balaji Vishwanath'." New History of the Marathas, Vol. 2, 1946.
2. Mehta, Jasvant Lal. Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1803, January 2005.
3. Haig, L., Colonel Sir Wolseley. The Cambridge History of India, Volume 3 (III). Turks and Afghans. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, 1967.
4. Puri, B. N. A Comprehensive History of India: Comprehensive History of Medieval India. Sterling Publishers, December 2003.
5. Chhabra, G. S. Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). Lotus Press, 2005.
6. Sen, Sailendra. A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books, 2013.
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