Balaji Baji Rao: A Historical Retrospect
Summary
Balaji Baji Rao, the third Peshwa of the Bhat family, served as Peshwa from 1740 until his death in 1761, with a brief removal in 1747. His tenure saw the Maratha Empire reach its greatest territorial extent, though his rule was marked by internal rivalries and external pressures. Historians remain divided on his legacy, with some viewing him as a prototypical Maratha statesman akin to Sakharambapu or Nana Phadnis, while others blame him for the eventual decline of Maratha power. Baji Rao faced opposition from Maratha nobles, including the Bhonsles of Berar and Gaekwads of Gujarat, who resented the Bhat family's dominance. His father, Balaji Visvanath Bhat, had already suppressed rivals like the Jadhaves and Nimbalkars. After Baji Rao's death in 1740, his son Raghunath Rao initially tried to block his succession, but the Bhonsles and other factions eventually accepted him as Peshwa. During his reign, Baji Rao focused on southern campaigns against the Nizams of Hyderabad, plundering their territories in four major expeditions. He initially maintained friendly ties with the first Nizam, Nasir Jung, but conflicts arose after Salabat Jung's accession in 1751. The Peshwa suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Kukdi (1751) against the Nizam's French-trained forces under Bussy, losing his camp and household items. He later resorted to intrigue, manipulating Ghazi-ud-din, the Nizam's heir, to return to the Deccan.
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Conclusion
Balaji Baji Rao's tenure as Peshwa marked a pivotal era in Maratha history, characterized by territorial expansion and internal power struggles. His strategic military campaigns, including the Sironj-Bhilsa expedition and conflicts with Raghunathrao Bhonsle, solidified Maratha dominance in northern India. However, his assertion of authority over rival Maratha factions like the Bhonsles and Gaekwads sowed seeds of discontent, later exacerbating the empire's fragmentation. The Peshwa's reliance on the Bhat family's influence alienated traditional Maratha nobles, foreshadowing the decline of centralized power. Despite achieving Maratha hegemony's zenith, Baji Rao's legacy remains contested—celebrated as a shrewd statesman yet criticized for sowing discord that hastened the empire's post-Panipat collapse. His death in 1761, amid rising internal strife and external threats, symbolized the Maratha power's irreversible transition from ascendancy to decline.