Posted:
@skye
History would not bother with any woman from Bajirao's family if they had no substantial role to play in the family's fortune. Radhabai's contribution to the Peshwai's clout is well known to readers of Maratha history. However Kashi and Mastani became the centre of gossip in contemporary society only because of the controversy related to Bajirao's personal life.
When you have read enough about them it is hard to hero worship any of the star players in Maratha history. It also helps one understand that unsung heroes like Chimaji Appa achieved as much success as Bajirao but history did not give them their due.
I never suggested that Bajirao's role in Maratha history was limited to the drama over his relation with Kashi, Mastani and the rest of his family. But he was the only Peshwa whose personal life was taken to the cleaners when he fell out with his family over Mastani, that is recorded history and a major reason why his fame as a warrior was overshadowed. That is also why the focus of films like Bajirao-Mastani remained on his personal life rather than on his military laurels. The film became a commercial hit proving that people by and large don't care about meticulous details of battle campaigns.
Also Rau was never a hands-on father to any of his children as he was constantly away on campaigns; often with Mastani accompanying him. And I did not make up the story that he preferred Mastani over Kashi, there is enough proof in recorded history to prove that! Nevertheless people may choose to look upon him as a model husband, brother and son as much as a celebrated cavalry general! Everybody loves heroes and winners enough to ignore their grey areas.
Bajirao won many accolades with the help of his faithful band of subordinates like Holkar and Shinde who laid the foundation of the Maratha Confederacy during his lifetime.This was done to exercise better control over territories in Malwa and other parts of Central India to make it easy for Bajirao to administer them. Ironically while Bajirao remained in debt all his life the members of the Confederacy prospered due to the northward Maratha expansion. The expenses for the battles was the Peshwa's personal responsibility and a major source of frustration for him. At the time of his death Bajirao left a debt of 14.5 lakh rupees which had to be repaid by his successor Peshwa Balaji. Rau may have been a credible warrior but he had shortcomings as a statesman.
When Chimaji and Bajirao defeated the Portuguese and the Siddis in Konkan they indirectly helped the British become a force to reckon with. Bajirao had met Captain Inchbird before he went to battle Nasir Jung- his last battle campaign. Little wonder then that the British eventually took over the Maratha Empire.
The Maratha Empire rose to a peak during the reign of Bajirao's son Balaji. His other son Raghunath expanded the boundaries up to Attock. Balaji achieved more by sheer diplomacy and negotiation unlike Bajirao who had to use military means. The loss of Panipat dealt a huge blow to Maratha power but Peshwa Madhavrao managed to avenge that defeat within 10 years. Had he not died at an early age of 27 due to consumption Madhavrao's career would be more illustrious than that of his grandfather.
So yes, the Maratha Empire started to fragment after Madhavrao's premature death, mainly due to a leadership vacuum. His younger brother Narayanrao was assasinated at the age of 19 and was replaced after a few months by the 40 day old infant Sawai Madhavrao. The Barbhais led by Nana Fadnavis got an upper hand. This led to the decline of the Peshwas who had been hereditary rulers. It is important to remember that.
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