Balaji Vishwanath


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Balaji Vishwanath

Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720CE): Balaji Vishwanath Bhat, better known as Shrimant Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, the first of a series of hereditary Peshwas hailing from the Bhat family who gained effective control of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century.

Balaji Vishwanath was an expert in administration and revenue collection. He got back from the Mughals the territories  ruled by Shivaji and the right to collect chauth and sardeshmukhi from the Mughal territories in the Deccan. Balaji was the first of a line of seven peshwas. The peshwas soon became the real rulers of the Maratha kingdom.

Peshwas was a Persian title the sanskrit meaning of which is Mukhya Pradhan i.e. the Prime Minister. It was from the time of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath that the office became hereditary as his son Baji Rao I succeeded him to the post.

As an administrator under Jadhav, Balaji was sent to check the credentials of Shahu (son of Sambhaji) who had been released by the Mughals from captivity after the death of Aurangzeb.Balaji influenced his master Dhanaji Jadhav to support Shahu as the rightful claimant to0 the Maratha Throne.

After this, in a brief battle between Shahu and his aunt Tarabai who was vying for supermacy at the Maratha throne,Balaji Vishwanath helped Shahu raise an army for his defence.His also helped Shahu defeat Tarabai at Kolhapur and install another cousin of Shahu, SambhajiII on the throne of Kolhapur.

Balaji started the system of Jagirdar to appease the Maratha Sardars.He also created a cooperative commission of all Sardars and made Shahu the Chhatrapati of Importance with the Chhatrapati becoming a nominal ruler only.

 

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

Who was an expert in administration and revenue collection?

Right Option : B
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Question : 2

The post of peshwa became hereditary with _______ .

Right Option : B
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Question : 3

After Balaji Vishwanath's appointment as a peshwa, the post of the Peshwa _______ .

Right Option : C
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