Balaji Vishwanath

Balaji Vishwanath is a very important figure in the history of Maratha Empire. Also known as the Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, he was the first in the line of Peshwas to rule the Maratha kingdom for the coming years. Balaji Vishwanath started his political career as the prime minister of Shahu, the last of the kings of the Shivaji Empire. As the Peshwa or the prime minister of the empire, he fulfilled the duty of guiding the inexperienced Shahu and training him with the nuances of kingship.

Balaji Vishwanath, crowned the king in the year 1712, played a very important role is Shahu’s struggle with the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and also the inner conflicts with Tarabai. It was only because Shahu held Balaji Vishwanath in a very high esteem that he gave Balaji the power to be appointed as the Peshwa of the king. During the years 1708 to 1713, the political capabilities of Balaji Vishwanath came to test when he led the young king in the face of battles and civil wars.

Balaji Vishwanath had immense capabilities in unifying the Maratha warriors and leading them from the front. He laid the foundations 0of an empire which was to rule Maharashtra for the coming years. He was a very important figure in establishing the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra.