Previous Year Question
Arrange the following in chronological order of their rule and select the correct answer from the code given below:
Bajirao I
Balaji Bajirao
Balaji Vishwanath
Madhav Rao I
Code:
1, 3, 2, 4
3, 1, 4, 2
3, 1, 2, 4
1, 3, 4, 2
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The correct chronological order is Balaji Vishwanath → Bajirao I → Balaji Bajirao → Madhav Rao I.
The earliest was Balaji Vishwanath, who served as Peshwa from 1713 to 1720. Chhatrapati Shahu appointed him Peshwa in 1713. From his period, the power of the Peshwa within the Bhat family steadily increased and the office subsequently acquired a hereditary character.
He was succeeded by his son Bajirao I, who served as Peshwa from 1720 to 1740. He became Peshwa at about twenty years of age, and under his leadership Maratha power expanded rapidly towards Malwa, Bundelkhand and northern India.
The third was Bajirao I's son Balaji Bajirao, also known as Nana Saheb, who served as Peshwa from 1740 to 1761. Maratha influence reached a very wide extent during his period, but towards the end of his tenure the Third Battle of Panipat on 14 January 1761 dealt a severe blow to Maratha power.
Balaji Bajirao died in 1761, after which his son Madhav Rao I became Peshwa and ruled from 1761 to 1772. During his administration, Maratha power began a significant military and administrative recovery after the defeat at Panipat.
The sequence can also be remembered through the family succession—Balaji Vishwanath → his son Bajirao I → Bajirao's son Balaji Bajirao → Balaji Bajirao's son Madhav Rao I.