Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath - Early Life, Role During the Maratha Civil War, Achievements and Legacy

Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Bhat (1662-1720) was the first hereditary Peshwas from the Bhat family who effectively took over the Maratha Empire in the 18th Century. Young Maratha ruler Shahu received help from Balaji Vishwanath to strengthen his hold over a kingdom plagued by civil conflict and continuous Mughal incursions under Aurangzeb. He was referred to as the second founder of the Maratha State. The king highly regarded him for his insightful counsel, which was one of the reasons for his rapid ascent through their ranks. 

Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims), particularly in the History section. You can also enroll and start preparing for History topics through Testbook’s flagship UPSC History Optional Coaching Program.

In this article, we shall discuss Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, His Early Life background, his Role in Maratha Civil War, his Achievements, his Legacy, Death, & More!

Who was Balaji Vishwanath?

Balaji Vishwanath, also known as Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa, was a prominent figure in the Maratha Empire during the late 17th century. He served as the first Peshwa, a high-ranking administrative and military position in the Maratha government. Balaji Vishwanath is credited with laying the foundation for the Peshwa dynasty's ascendancy and played a crucial role in consolidating Maratha power. His tenure as Peshwa marked the beginning of the Peshwa era in Maratha history.

Early Life Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath

Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath was born into a Marathi Brahmin family on January 1 1662. His family belonged to the coastal Konkan region of modern-day Maharashtra. He moved to the western ghats’ upper regions for a job and served as a mercenary trooper for successive Maratha generals. Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath joined the Maratha administration either during the rule of Sambhaji or the rule of his brother Rajaram. Later, he worked in Janjira as an accountant under Maratha general Dhanaji Jadhav. He held the positions of Sar Subedar of Pune from 1699 to 1702 and Sar Subedar of Daulatabad from 1704 to 1707. By the time Dhanaji passed away, Balaji had established himself as a reliable and competent officer. Balaji disagreed with Chandrasen Jadhav, Dhanaji’s son and successor, and joined forces with Shahu, the newly freed Maratha monarch. Shahu saw Balaji’s skills and accepted him as his assistant.

Balaji Vishwanath’s Conflict with Sambhaji II

Shahu I aimed to establish his authority in the northern part of the Kolhapur region. Following his victory over Shivaji II of Kolhapur in 1714, Sambhaji II, the son of Rajasbai, assumed the role of Chhatrapati in Kolhapur. He governed his domain under the guidance of Ramchandra Pant Amatya. Unfortunately, in 1716, Ramchandra Pant passed away in Panhala. Subsequently, Sambhaji initiated incursions into Shahu's territory, with Udaji Chavan's and Yashwantrao Thorat's support. Chavan administered Shirol, while Yashwantrao oversaw Ashta, Yelvi, Walwa, and the Warana valleys' jagir.

Also, read about the Second Anglo-Maratha War here!

Role of Balaji Vishwanath During the Maratha Civil War

After the death of Aurangzeb, Bahadur Shah ascended to the Mughal throne. The Mughal governor of the Deccan freed Shahu from captivity to keep the Marathas embroiled in a conflict between Shahu’s supporters and Tarabai, the widow of Rajaram (brother of Shahu), who presided over the Marathas in the name of her son Shivaji and accused Shahu of being an impostor who the Mughals had used. To assault Shahu, Tarabai dispatched the Maratha Senapati Dhanaji Jadhav. Dhanaji Jadhav sent Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath to secretly meet with Shahu and confirm his credentials.

Peshwa Balaji Viswanath is believed to have convinced his master to back Shahu’s cause. At Khed in the Pune District, Dhanaji and Shahu’s army met. Dhanaji Jadhav proclaimed Shahu to be the legitimate heir to the Maratha crown. Chandrasen Jadhav, Dhanaji’s son and successor, were envious of Dhanaji’s confidence in Balaji Vishwanath. After Dhanaji Jadhav passed away in June 1708, Shahu named Chandrasen Jadhav as Senapati; however, due to their animosity for one another, Chandrasen conspired with Tarabai while looking for a way to get rid of Balaji.

Peshwa Balaji Viswanath escaped to the castle of Purandar after Chandrasen attacked him due to a disagreement over the behaviour of a young officer working for him. Balaji once more retreated to Pandavgad after Chandrasen besieged Purandar, where he dispatched a messenger to ask his ruler for assistance.

Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath was escorted to Shahu’s capital Satara, where Shahu requested Chandrasen to present Balaji Vishwanath’s case. In response, Shahu Chandrasen defied orders and joined the Tarabai cause. Lacking experienced generals, Shahu sought the help of Balaji Vishwanath, who agreed to assemble a new army supporting Shahu.

Shahu gave Balaji the title of Senakarte, which means “Organizer of Maratha Armies,” in appreciation for his work. Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath conspired with the dissatisfied members of Tarabai’s court to bring about Tarabai’s downfall in Kolhapur in 1712.

Rajasbai, the second widow of Rajaram, was persuaded by Balaji Vishwanath to stage a coup against Shivaji II, Tarabai’s son, and put her son, Sambhaji II, in power instead. This resulted in Shahu’s protection and subjection of the Kolhapur royal family.

Also, Know About Mughals Influence for UPSC!

Balaji Vishwanath's Appointment as Peshwa

• Shahu's next objective was to subdue the Angre clan, led by Kanhoji Angre.
• Kanhoji Angre, succeeding his father Tukoji Angre as the Maratha navy commander, had received the title of "Sarkhel" from Tarabai.
• The conflict between Tarabai and Shahu allowed Kanhoji to assert his independence.
• Kanhoji captured key trading centers and forts, including Kalyan, Rajmachi, and Lohgad.
• Shahu sent Peshwa Bahiroji Pingale to confront Kanhoji, but Kanhoji defeated and imprisoned him.
• Kanhoji then moved toward Shahu's capital, Satara.
• Shahu assigned Balaji Vishwanath the task of negotiating with Kanhoji.
• Balaji appealed to Kanhoji's patriotism, convincing him to become the Sarkhel of Shahu's navy with control over the Konkan.
• Balaji and Kanhoji attacked the Muslim Siddis of Janjira, capturing much of the Konkan coast, including Shrivardhan, Balaji's hometown.
• Impressed by Balaji's success, Shahu appointed him Peshwa on November 16, 1713, replacing Bahiroji Pingale.

Also, read about the Maratha Empire (1674-1818) here!

Administration under Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath

Balaji Vishwanath also set the groundwork for the Marathas' huge systematic administrative system, which flourished for a century after his death. The administration was divided into three levels: central government in Poona, provincial government, and district administration. The judicial officers were organised in a hierarchy. The Peshwa presided over the judicial system, with the Sar-subahdar reporting to him. A vast network of agents and collectors supported the Maratha tax collecting system from a wide swath of nominally Mughal provinces. The main source of income was land revenue. Credit facilities from established banking families backed up the revenue collection technique. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were also revenue sources.

Also, read about the Land Revenue System in India here!

Achievements of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath

Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath was an outstanding statesman and competent leader. With the help of Balaji Vishwanath, Shahu was able to unite the Maratha Empire and subjugate numerous rival factions. Balaji was able to capitalize on Maratha’s pride and aimed to forge a powerful, cohesive group.

• His most notable diplomatic successes involved the Mughal emperor, who acknowledged the Maratha claim to Chauth and Sardeshmukhi in the six Deccan provinces.
• His clever way of realizing Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, calculated using Todar Mal’s standard assessment through his collectors stationed throughout the Mughal-controlled Deccan region, guaranteed an increasing income for the Maratha state. Farrukhsiyar, the Mughal Emperor, rejected this pact. Then, with the aid of the Maratha, Husain Ali overthrew Farrukhsiyar.
• Balaji arranged the release of Shahu’s mother, wife, and half-brother from Mughal captivity because of his growing influence in the Mughal court.
• Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath established the Jagirdari system to please the Maratha Sardars.
• Additionally, he established a cooperative committee comprising all Sardars, with Shahu serving as its Chhatrapati.
• During his reign, the Chhatrapati was reduced to a mere ceremonial head of state, and the Peshwa seized supreme power.
• In addition, he made the Peshwa title hereditary and implemented numerous financial reforms in the state. 
• He is most famous for establishing the foundations of a powerful empire that would follow the Mughal Empire as the strongest kingdom in the subcontinent and for bringing peace and stability to the Maratha Empire through treaties and battles.

Also, read about the Peshwa Bajirao I here!

Legacy and Death Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath

• After securing the release of the mother (Yesubai) and wife (Savitribai) of Chhatrapati Shahuji following years in Mughal captivity, Balaji triumphantly travelled from Delhi to Satara.
• Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath’s health started to deteriorate as a result of his laborious travel from the imperial capital.
• On April 12, 1720, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath passed away. His son Baji Rao I succeeded him.
• Balaji Vishwanath set the groundwork for the intricate Maratha administration, which persisted for a century after his death.
• He established the framework for a powerful state that would forever alter the path of the history of the Indian subcontinent.

Also, read about the First Anglo Maratha War (1775 - 1782) here!

Conclusion

Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath was a brilliant statesman and skilled commander. He restored the Maratha Kingdom’s peace and order. He also improved the state’s financial condition. Without engaging in combat, he obtained Shivaji’s Swaraj from the Mughals and astonished the Mughal capital with the grandeur of the Maratha forces. He was able to gain Shahu’s trust and the respect of the populace at a period when the Maratha chiefs were engaged in a game of waiting, and loyalty was a precious commodity.

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