‘Sawai’ Madhavrao Peshwa

‘Sawai’ Madhavrao Peshwa came to the throne of Maharashtra at a very early age of one because of the situations. Raghunathrao, who was the ruler at that time, was removed from the throne which he had usurped in a wrong way. He had killed Narayanrao Peshwa through a conspiracy and occupied the throne.

At such a juncture twelve of the Maratha chieftains helped to uproot the conspirator and put the legal inheritor back on throne. Nana, Holkar, Phadke and Shinde was four of the twelve chieftains. ‘Sawai’ Madhavrao Peshwa was declared the next Peshwa in 1773. He was put under a chief administrator by the name of Nana Phadnis as he was too young to take the reigns in his hands alone. Holkar, Phadke and Shinde became involved in the administration and military set up. Both of them played a very important role in stalling the British entrance in the Maratha. The year 1784 was very important because the British supremacy could be halted for a few more years in 1784. However this could not last for long because of untimely death of ‘Sawai’ Madhavrao Peshwa.

After the death of ‘Sawai’ Madhavrao Peshwa the Peshwa Dynasty came under the rule of ‘Second’ Bajirao Peshwa in the year 1795. The unity which was there amongst the Marathas until this time was not seen after the death of ‘Sawai’ Madhavrao Peshwa.