Narayanrao Peshwa

Narayanrao Peshwa (1755–1773) was fifth Peshwa or ruler of the Maratha Empire from November 1772 till his death by murder in August 1773.

Early life and ascendancy to Peshwa

Narayanrao was the third son of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (or Nanasaheb) and Gopikabai. Narayanrao was born on 11 August 1755. His elder brother Vishwasrao had died in the Third Battle of Panipat and the second brother Madhavrao succeeded his father after his death. Narayanrao was made diwan of Peshwa from 1770. Madhavrao knew that it would be difficult for Narayan to work as Peshwa in presence of Raghunathrao.

Madhavrao I died in 1772 and was succeeded by seventeen year old Narayanrao with his uncle Raghunathrao acting as regent. It was decided between Narayanrao & Raghunathrao to work together but differences arose soon. Narayanrao was very immature & angry. His uncle Raghunathrao & aunt Anandibai was very upset because Narayanrao became Peshwa. Narayanrao & Raghunathrao was surrounded by ill-advised people poisoned their minds against each other. Due to all such reasons Narayanrao confined Raghunathrao to home.

Murder of Narayanrao

During the Ganesh Festival of 1773 (actual date is 30th August 1773 and it was the last day of Ganesh Festival i.e. Anant Chaturdashi) several Gardi guards, led by their captain, Sumer Singh Gardi, asked Narayanrao to step down. Raghunathrao and his wife Anandibai, who were opposed to Narayanrao, promised the Gardis that they would mediate in their dispute with Narayanrao. The Gardis requested that Narayanrao accompany them to meet Raghunathrao and solve the dispute. In a heated argument at the palace fort of Shaniwarwada, Narayanrao was killed in a skirmish as the Gardis tried forcefully to take him.

According to popular legend, Raghunathrao had sent a message to Sumer Singh Gardi to fetch Narayanrao using the Marathi word dharaa (धरा) or 'hold'. This message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai who changed a single letter to make it read as maaraa (मारा) or 'kill'. The miscommunication led to the Gardis killing him in the presence of Raghunathrao.

This act brought ill fame to the Peshwa administration, now being looked after by the minister Nana Phadnavis. The Chief Justice of the administration, Ram Shastri Prabhune was asked to conduct an investigation into the incident, and Raghunathrao, Anandibai and Sumer Singh Gardi were all prosecuted in absentia. Although Raghunathrao was acquitted, Anandibai was declared an offender and Sumer Singh Gardi the culprit. Sumer Singh Gardi died mysteriously at Patna in Bihar in 1775, and Anandibai performed Hindu rituals for washing of sins.

But here is a catch. Contrary to common knowledge, Narayanrao survived the attack by Raghunathrao. In 1772 Peshwa Madhav Rao died and was succeeded by his brother Narayan Rao. His uncle Raghunath Rao who believed he should have been the next Peshwa apposed the succession. In August 1773 Raghunath attempted to have Narayan assassinated while he was asleep. In the attack Narayan was gravely injured but was able to make his escape with the help his supporters due to the confusion caused by a fire started during the attack.

Narayan ordered his followers to take him north to Nasik where he planned to gather support and attack Raghunath Rao. Meanwhile in Pune, Raghunath became desperate when the assassination failed and Narayan escaped. He proclaimed that Narayan had been killed and presented a badly burned body of one of Narayan’s followers as proof along with the body of Narayan’s wife. He was proclaimed the new Peshwa. This was resented by many other Marathas but accepted due to no other heirs to the Peshwa. Nana Fadnavis who was one Narayan Rao supporter tried to keep Raghunath Rao in check.

Raghunathrao ordered his soldiers to secretly locate and kill Narayan. Narayan’s followers only traveled at night in an attempt to avoid Raghunathrao men. Near Karjal they were almost caught and instead decided to go west and seek protection from the English in Bombay. On the way to Bombay they encountered Raghunath Rao’s soldiers and instead fled south, and after 3 months of continuing to travel only at night finally reached Goa. There the Portuguese Vice-rei Dom João José de Melo gave Narayan Rao sanctuary and allowed the very weak Narayan to recuperate. In December 1773 news of his whereabouts in Goa finally reached the Maratha. Raghunath Rao proclaimed that the Portuguese had initially tried to assassinate Narayan and now held him captive in an attempt to garnish support for a war against Portugal.

Raghunath was able to convince the Maratha State of Baroda to attack Portugal’s enclaves of Diu and Damão in the north. In January 1774 the Baroda army attacked the Portuguese in Damão but they were not able to capture Damão and commenced besieging it instead.

In Pune Raghunath’s position had became desperate and he ordered the Maratha army to attack Goa and liberate Narayan. In January 1774 an army of 25,000 men left Pune to attack Goa. The army reached Goa in February but was besieged by quarrels among its leaders. The arrival of Narayan with 20,000 of his supporters along with 10,000 Portuguese soldiers caused uproar in the Maratha army. Most of Raghunath’s supporters were either killed or fled when the Maratha army revolted against Raghunath.

On February 10 the Maratha army under the leadership of Narayan Rao marched north to capture Raghunath Rao. Portugal’s forces were instead sent north to help in the defenses of Damão and Diu. Raghunath Rao attempted to flee the approaching army but was killed along with his supporters, when Nana Fadnavis led a force of 15,000 men into Pune. On March 21 Narayan Rao was proclaimed the Peshwa.

On March 2 the Portuguese forces from Goa arrived by sea at Damão and attacked the besieging Baroda army. The Portuguese forces pursued the fleeing Baroda forces and captured Pardi on March 12. Narayan Rao ordered Baroda to stop its war on Portugal or face his army. On March 31, 1774 the Portuguese signed Treaty of Sattari with both the Peshwa of Pune and the Maratha State of Baroda.

In gratitude for the Portuguese help the Peshwa of Pune gave them the states of Bicholim and Sattari which were added to Goa. In the north in compensation for their attack on Damão the Damaji Gaikwads of Baroda gave the Portuguese all lands along the Damão River to Nagar Haveli. The Portuguese also received special trade concessions from the Peshwa of Pune for their support. this part of the article seems to be completely unattested by historical accounts. it seems to be put in by some person having no idea of history. it reeks of a conspiracy theroy and holds no merit. by all historical accounts Narayanrao was killed by the men sent by his uncle - not gardis and that is the fact as per all available records.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

The Narayan Peth area in Pune is named after Peshwa Narayanrao.

Preceded by Madhavrao I

Peshwa 1772–1773

Succeeded by Raghunathrao