Previous Year Question

Originally, the Peshwa was the chief minister or principal officer of the Maratha king. Under Shivaji, the Peshwa was one of the officers of the Ashtapradhan system, while supreme authority remained with the Chhatrapati. During the eighteenth century, however, this arrangement gradually changed and the office of the Peshwa increasingly became the real centre of Maratha political power.

The foundation of this transformation was laid under Balaji Vishwanath. Shahu appointed him Peshwa in 1713. He strengthened Shahu's position, brought important Maratha chiefs into his political framework and considerably enhanced the power of the Peshwa's office.

After Balaji Vishwanath's death, his son Baji Rao I became Peshwa in 1720. From this point the office of Peshwa effectively became hereditary. Baji Rao I directed Maratha military and political policy for approximately two decades. IGNOU specifically notes that when Baji Rao succeeded his father in 1720, the Peshwa's office became hereditary.

Chhatrapati Shahu delegated a substantial part of his authority in government and warfare to the Peshwa. As a result, the Peshwa increasingly became the de facto or actual ruler of the state. An IGNCA historical account explicitly states that Shahu made a virtual delegation of his authority to the Peshwa, who became the de facto ruler, and then discusses Baji Rao I's accession to the premiership.

During Baji Rao I's period, Maratha influence expanded rapidly beyond the Deccan towards Malwa, Bundelkhand and northern India. His military successes against the Nizam and Maratha intervention in northern India further strengthened the political position of the Peshwa.

However, an important historical qualification is necessary. The complete political predominance of the Peshwa was a gradual process. IGNOU notes that even Balaji Baji Rao, or Nana Saheb, remained under the restraint of the Raja of Satara until Shahu's death in 1749. Only thereafter did he virtually dislodge the Raja from sovereign power.

Thus, more precisely—

Balaji Vishwanath — laid the foundation of the rise of Peshwa power
Baji Rao I — established the Peshwa's de facto political and military predominance
Balaji Baji Rao — after 1749, virtually removed the Chhatrapati from effective sovereign power