Madhavrao I

Shrimant Thorle Madhavrao Peshwa (or Peshwa Madhavrao I), (15 February 1745 - 18 November 1772), was a Peshwa ruler of the Maratha Empire.

Early life and ascendancy to Peshwa

Madhavrao was the second son of Gopikabai and Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (also known as Nanasaheb Peshwa). At the time of his birth, the Maratha kingdom was stretched across a sizeable portion of Western, Central and Northern India. On 9th December 1753, Madhavrao married Ramabai.

Nanasaheb had expanded the Maratha dynasty to a great extent and had tried to establish better governance in the kingdom. However, during the Third battle of Panipat in 1761, he was responsible for certain decisions which were partially responsible for the terrible defeat of the Marathas against Ahmad Shah Abdali. The Marathas suffered heavy losses including Nanasaheb's eldest son Vishwasrao and cousin Sadashivrao Bhau. Unable to bear the sufferings, he died of depression at Parvati in Pune.

After the death of Nanasaheb, on 20 July, 1761, the sixteen year old Madhavrao was made the next Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. Nanasaheb's brother Raghunathrao was to assist him in the administrative affairs.

Early days of reign

At the ascendancy of Madhavrao, the Maratha empire was in complete shambles as their defeat at Panipat had accumulated big debts to their wealth. At Shaniwarwada, the prime residence of the Peshwa, religious rituals and ceremonies were frequently being conducted. The discipline required for the smooth running of administrative affairs was almost non-existent. The security at the treasury was poor. When these weaknesses were brought to Madhavrao’s notice and he introduced changes by personally looking into the administration, accounts and the treasury. He also reduced the religious practices being followed at Shaniwarwada.

In February 1762, the Peshwas set out to conquer Karnataka. This was one of the earliest wars against the Nizam when conflict arose between Madhavrao and his uncle Raghunathrao. Due to difference of opinion between the two, Raghunathrao decided to abandon the troop midway and return to Pune, while Madhavrao continued. Eventually, a treaty was signed with the Nizam and he returned. Both Madhavrao and Raghunathrao had their preferences even over the "Sardars" (Generals). Madhavrao usually preferred the company of Gopalrao Patwardhan, Tryambakrao Mama Pethe, Nana Phadnavis and Ramshastri; while Raghunathrao was dearer to Sakharambapu, Gulabrao and Gangoba Tatya.

Disputes between uncle and nephew

The discord between Madhavrao and Raghunathrao was increasing and on 22nd August 1762, Raghunathrao fled to Vadgaon where he started grooming his own army.
Raghunathrao’s men started looting the nearby villages for warfare, and this act angered Madhavrao. He decided to rage a war against his uncle Ragunathrao on 7th November 1762. However, Madhavrao was badly defeated in this war and on 12th November 1762 surrendered himself to Raghunathrao near Alegaon. After the surrender, Raghunathrao decided to control all the major decisions under the assistance of Sakharam Bapu. He also decided to befriend the Nizam, but this proved to be a wrong masterplan as the Nizam slowly started infiltrating the zones of Maratha kingdom. As time slipped by, Madhavrao pointed out the gravity of the situation to his uncle. Eventually on 7th March 1763 the Peshwas, once again under Madhavrao’s leadership, decided to attack Aurangabad to crush the Nizam. After months of chasing, the Peshwas faced the Nizam’s army on 10th August 1763 at Rakshasbhuvan near Aurangabad. The Nizam’s army suffered huge losses in this war, but the Nizam himself fled away. On returning, the Peshwas received a grand welcome back in Pune for their victory over the Nizam.

Madhavrao’s nature:

During this time, an interesting incident occurred. Madhavrao was busy managing the treasury of the kingdom and supervising the calculation of the expenses encountered during the war. One day he noticed a large crowd anxiously waiting at the entrance of Shaniwarwada. Upon summoning the guards, he discovered that they were the aggrievated citizens of Pune who had lost their families, house, land and wealth in the war. They had been visiting his residence for the past few days with hopes of expressing their unbearable losses. However, the guards had not allowed them to meet the Peshwa by excusing that his health had deteriorated. When he heard this, Madhavrao became furious with the guards; he immediately left all his tasks aside and stepped out of Shaniwarwada. He personally met with the poverished families and patiently listened to each one of them. He made a note of every family’s loss and personally saw to it that these losses were compensated from the empire’s revenue. This speaks volumes about why the citizens always looked up to him with tremendous faith and respect. Though there were rifts between him and his uncle Raghunathrao, Madhavrao always displayed concern for him on personal grounds. In later times, even though his mother Gopikabai decided to live separately in Gangapur near Nashik, the two always shared frequent written communication. He had great respect, love and regard for his mother, which is visible in the letters exchanged between the two. Madhavrao was one of the most able administrators; he bought radical revolutions in the Maratha Empire in terms of efficiency and honesty. Corrupt and lethargic officials were flogged in the courtyard; this brought about the much required discipline in the administration. The judicial system was impartial and faithfully managed by Ram Shastri, who was considered as the supreme pillar of justice. The usage of revenues was maximized for the welfare of the citizens. Artillery and weapons were constantly upgraded and the strength of the empire was maintained at high standards. Madhavrao was feared by his own servants, but he was approachable to the common man.

The Peshwas attempt to conquer the Hyder:

In January 1764, for the second time, Madhavrao decided to gather up his defences and conquer the Hyder Ali. This time his massive army comprised of efficient generals like Gopalrao Patwardhan, Murarrao Ghorpade, Vinchurkar and Naro Shankar. Raghunathrao declined his offer to join him and instead chose to visit Nashik. This was a particularly long conquest which went for almost a year in and around the districts of Karnataka. However, the Hyder Ali was a cunning nemesis; he somehow managed to escape the clutches of the Peshwas. Eventually, Madhavrao decided to call Raghunathrao for his assistance, but Raghunathrao only signed a treaty with the Hyder Ali, much to Madhavrao’s disappointment. Raghunathrao intentionally made this move, since he was now fearfully aware of Madhavrao’s burgeoning power. Additionally, his loyal assistant Sakharam bapu also warned him against the consequences of conquering the Hyder Ali. The Peshwa’s failure to impose authority over Hyder Ali triggered a major setback on Madhavrao’s health.

Madhavrao extends bond of friendship with an old enemy:

The Peshwas were expanding their territory in the northern regions of India. Raghunathrao, the Holkars and Shindes together marched towards Delhi with the intension of expanding the Maratha Empire in these territories. In the meanwhile, Madhavrao made a bold decision of bonding with his old nemesis, the Nizam. The Nizam also genuinely expressed his desire to extend the relationship, and thus the two met at Kurumkhed on 5th February 1766. The next few days saw some cultural exchanges and open expressions of concern. The levels of mutual understanding alleviated, and this relationship started growing stronger.

The British meet the Peshwas:

On 3rd December, 1767, the British officer Mastin arrived in Pune. The colonial rulers wanted to setup their armies in the regions of Vasai and Sashthi, but Madhavrao had anticipated their intentions. Mastin’s repeated requests to acquire these regions in return for conquering the Hyder Ali fell on deaf ears, the Peshwa never agreed to them.

Raghunathrao faces house arrest:

Though Raghunathrao had marched to the North for expanding the empire, he failed to do so. Instead, he came back to Anandvalli and was again tempted to form an alliance with his generals and fight against Madhavrao. This time, however; Madhavrao was extremely agitated with his uncle’s repeated attempt. On 10th June 1768 he waged a war against Raghunathrao, captured him and put him in house arrest at Shaniwarwada. Raghunathrao’s assistant Sakharam Bapu was also put in house arrest. The relationship between Madhavao and Raghunathrao had deteriorated to great extents.

Attack on Madhavrao:

The incident occurred on the evening of 7th September, 1769. Madhavrao was returning from the Parvati temple at Pune with his comrades, when one of his generals Ramsingh suddenly attacked him with a sword. Fortunately, Madhavrao was warned just in the nick of time and he suffered a blow from the sword on his shoulder, as he tried to dodge Ramsingh. Madhavrao believed that this was Raguhnathrao’s attempt to murder him, but he imprisoned General Ramsingh.

Madhavrao’s health deteriorates:

In June 1770, the Peshwas set out to conquer the Hyder Ali for the third time. However, Madhavrao was infected with Tuberculosis which started deteriorating his health. He had to return back from Miraj, as the effects of the disease had started becoming prominent. He was even recommended an English doctor for the treatment of the terrible disease, and he would follow the advice given by the doctor. However, there were no signs of improvement and slowly it started developing further. The disease had affected his intestine, and often Madhavrao would cry out to his comrades for a dagger to rip his bowels apart. Such was the intensity of pain which Madhavrao had to undergo in his last days, since there was no cure for Tuberculosis in those times. Tuberculosis was also termed as “Raj-Yakshma”, or the prince of diseases. Madhavrao decided to spend his last days in his favourite temple of Chintamani (Lord Ganesh) at Theur, near Pune.

On 6th October 1772, Raghunathrao tried to escape from the house arrest at Shaniwarwada, but he was caught again. Madhavrao had become excessively weak, and he could no longer bear such incidents. He had constructed a garden, a wooden hall and a fountain outside this favourite temple.

18th November 1772, early morning approximately at eight: Madhavrao breathed his last at the temple premises of Chintamani, Theur. Thousands of citizens visited the site and paid their last respects to the great leader. His wife Ramabai was also mentally prepared for his death; she performed Sati during his cremation on the same date. Madhavrao was cremated on the banks of the river which was about half a mile from the temple. A small memorial carved out of stone rests today at this place as a reminder of this great leader and his loving wife.

" "And the plains of Panipat were not more fatal to the Maratha Empire than the early end of this excellent prince…" "

"-Grant Duff."

References:

* Ranjit Desai, “Swami”. (26th Edition March 2007, published by Mehta Publishers, Marathi Literature).
* Govind Sakharam Sardesai, "A New History of Marathas”.
* Grant Duff, “History of Marathas”.

Further reading

*The Marathi historical novel "Swami" by Ranjit Desai deals with the life of Madhavrao I after he became the Peshwa. It talks about the conspiracies by his uncle Raghunathrao (Raghoba dada), supported by some nobles such as Sakharambapu Bokil, to remove Madhavrao from the Peshwaship and the subsequent house-arrest of Raghoba. The book describes campaigns of Madhavrao against the Nizam and Hyder Ali of Mysore. It also tells in detail about his personal life and friendships with Nana Phadnavis and Ram Shastri, his death and that of his wife Ramabai by "sati".