Previous Year Question
Consider the following Peshwas and arrange them in ascending chronological order:
Raghunath Rao (Raghoba)
Balaji Baji Rao
Narayan Rao
Balaji Vishwanath
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
4, 2, 3, 1
3, 4, 1, 2
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 3, 2, 4
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The earliest among the given Peshwas was Balaji Vishwanath. Shahu appointed him Peshwa in 1713 CE, and he remained in office until 1720 CE. From his period, the influence of the Bhat family's Peshwas began to increase rapidly.
After Balaji Vishwanath, his son Baji Rao I became Peshwa, but his name is not included in this question. After Baji Rao I, his son Balaji Baji Rao, also known as Nanasaheb, served as Peshwa from 1740 to 1761 CE. Therefore, among the names given, Balaji Baji Rao comes second.
Narayan Rao did not directly succeed Balaji Baji Rao. In between, Madhav Rao I served as Peshwa from 1761 to 1772 CE. Since Madhav Rao is not included among the alternatives in this question, Narayan Rao comes next among the four given names.
Narayan Rao became Peshwa in 1772 CE. He was the younger brother of Madhav Rao I. His reign was very brief, and he was assassinated in 1773 CE.
After the death of Narayan Rao, his uncle Raghunath Rao, or Raghoba, assumed the office of Peshwa. He served briefly as Peshwa during 1773–1774 CE.
Thus, the sequence of the given Peshwas is — Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720) → Balaji Baji Rao (1740–1761) → Narayan Rao (1772–1773) → Raghunath Rao (1773–1774).