Chronology of Maratha Peshwas: The Bhat Family
The chronological order of the major Maratha Peshwas is: Balaji Vishwanath, followed by his son Bajirao I, then Balaji Bajirao (Nana Sahib), and finally Madhavrao I.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class VII: Our Pasts - II
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2004
Evidence Source
Link ↗Arrange chronologically:
1. Bajirao
2. Balaji Bajirao
3. Balaji Vishwanath
4. Madhavrao
[UPPCS Mains 2004]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
The Peshwas were the hereditary Prime Ministers who became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire. Their lineage represents the peak of Maratha expansion and its subsequent challenge by foreign invaders.
Authentic Source Evidence
1. Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720): The first of the hereditary Peshwas who consolidated Shahu's rule.
2. Bajirao I (1720–1740): Famous for his 'Lightning' cavalry and expanding the empire into North India.
3. Balaji Bajirao (1740–1761): Known as Nana Sahib; the empire reached its greatest extent but faced defeat at Panipat.
4. Madhavrao (1761–1772): The 9th Peshwa who famously revived the empire's power after the Panipat disaster.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"Who was the 'Great' Peshwa who never lost a battle?"
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The transition of the Peshwas from ministers to rulers shows the total decentralization of power away from the Chhatrapati."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)
Analysing authentic UPPCS Mainsprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Maratha Empire Expansion helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Maratha Peshwas and Balaji Vishwanath builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →