Baji Rao I

Baji Rao I (1700–1740 CE) was one of the greatest military generals and statesmen in Indian history, serving as the Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Renowned for his daring strategies, rapid cavalry movements, and undefeated military record, Baji Rao I played a decisive role in transforming the Maratha kingdom from a regional power in western India into an expansive empire that challenged the declining Mughal authority across the Indian subcontinent.
He is often remembered as “Baji Rao Ballal” and hailed as the “Napoleon of India” for his swift campaigns and tactical brilliance.

Early Life and Background

Baji Rao was born on 18 August 1700 at Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, into the illustrious Bhat family of Brahmins from Konkan. His father, Balaji Vishwanath, was the first Peshwa of Chhatrapati Shahu and a key architect of Maratha resurgence after the Mughal-Maratha wars.
Baji Rao grew up amidst warfare and politics, receiving extensive training in military strategy, horsemanship, and administration. Following his father’s death in 1720, the young Baji Rao, then only 20 years old, was appointed as the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire by Shahu Maharaj — a decision that would change the course of Maratha and Indian history.

Rise as Peshwa

Upon assuming office, Baji Rao inherited a powerful but fragmented empire facing both internal and external challenges. The Marathas had regained much of their territory, but the Mughal Empire under Emperor Muhammad Shah remained a formidable adversary, while independent kingdoms like Hyderabad, Mysore, and Bundelkhand resisted Maratha expansion.
Baji Rao envisioned a unified and expansionist Maratha Empire, guided by the principle of “Hindavi Swarajya” (self-rule of the Indian people). He believed that the Marathas should move beyond the Deccan plateau and establish dominance over northern India by exploiting the political disunity that followed the Mughal decline.

Military Campaigns and Expansion

Baji Rao I’s military campaigns were characterised by speed, surprise, and mobility. His army, dominated by light cavalry, could cover enormous distances in short periods, striking deep into enemy territory before retreating — a strategy that became a hallmark of Maratha warfare.

1. Campaigns against the Nizam of Hyderabad

One of Baji Rao’s earliest and most significant challenges came from Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, the founder of the Hyderabad State, who sought to curb Maratha power.

• In 1727, conflict broke out between the Marathas and the Nizam over revenue rights in the Deccan.
• The confrontation culminated in the Battle of Palkhed (1728), where Baji Rao executed a brilliant encirclement strategy that forced the Nizam into submission without direct confrontation.
• The victory at Palkhed established Baji Rao’s reputation as a master tactician and reaffirmed Maratha supremacy in the Deccan.

2. Northern Expeditions and the Delhi Campaign

After consolidating Maratha control in the south, Baji Rao turned his attention to northern India.

• Between 1732 and 1737, he led several expeditions into Malwa, Bundelkhand, and the Gangetic plains, targeting Mughal strongholds.
• He supported the Bundela ruler Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand, who was besieged by Mughal forces. In gratitude, Chhatrasal granted him a portion of his territory (including Jhansi and Sagar) and his daughter Mastani in marriage.
• In 1737, Baji Rao carried out a daring raid on Delhi, reaching its outskirts and defeating the Mughal forces at the Battle of Delhi (1737).
• His lightning attack shocked Emperor Muhammad Shah and demonstrated the vulnerability of the Mughal capital to Maratha power.

3. Battle of Bhopal (1738)

Following the Delhi raid, the Mughals sought the help of the Nizam of Hyderabad to retaliate against the Marathas. Baji Rao met the combined Mughal-Nizam forces at Bhopal in December 1737.

• Using superior manoeuvring and supply control, he besieged the enemy and cut off their food supplies, forcing the Nizam to sign a peace treaty in January 1738.
• The treaty formally granted the Marathas Malwa and Bundelkhand, significantly expanding their northern frontier.

4. Campaigns in Central and Western India

• Baji Rao also led successful campaigns against Gujarat and Malwa, bringing these regions under Maratha control.
• His brother Chimaji Appa, acting under his command, captured Vasai (Bassein) from the Portuguese in 1739, securing Maratha dominance on the western coast.

By the end of his career, Baji Rao’s military campaigns had extended Maratha influence from the Narmada River to the Yamuna, laying the foundation for the later Maratha Confederacy that would dominate Indian politics until the British rise.

Relationship with Mastani

One of the most well-known aspects of Baji Rao’s personal life was his relationship with Mastani, the daughter of Raja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand. Mastani, described as beautiful, intelligent, and skilled in arts and warfare, accompanied Baji Rao on his campaigns and became his close companion.
However, their relationship faced severe opposition from orthodox Hindu factions and Baji Rao’s own family due to Mastani’s mixed heritage (her mother was Muslim). Despite social ostracism, Baji Rao remained devoted to her, and their bond has since become legendary in Indian folklore, symbolising love and defiance of social barriers.

Administrative and Political Achievements

While Baji Rao is primarily remembered for his military genius, he was also an able administrator and statesman:

• Expansion of the Peshwa Authority: Strengthened the office of the Peshwa, making it the real centre of power within the Maratha Empire.
• Efficient Revenue System: Reorganised taxation and revenue collection, ensuring regular funding for the army and governance.
• Strategic Appointments: Appointed trusted generals and family members to key positions — such as Chimaji Appa in the west and Balaji Vishwanath II (Nana Saheb), his son, as his successor.
• Vision of a Pan-Indian Empire: Advocated for Maratha expansion across India to fill the political vacuum left by the Mughals.

Death

Baji Rao died on 28 April 1740, at Raverkhedi on the banks of the Narmada River, while leading a campaign toward northern India. He was only 39 years old at the time of his death. It is believed that grief over Mastani’s death (around the same period) hastened his demise.
He was cremated near the river, and the site — known as Baji Rao Samadhi — remains a memorial to one of India’s greatest generals.

Legacy

Baji Rao I’s legacy is monumental in Indian military and political history:

• Military Genius: Fought over 40 battles and was never defeated — a record that places him among the greatest generals in the world.
• Expansion of the Maratha Empire: Transformed the Marathas from a Deccan power into an all-India force.
• Tactical Innovation: His emphasis on speed, mobility, and psychological warfare reshaped Indian military strategy.
• Inspirational Leader: Inspired later Maratha leaders, including Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb), Mahadji Shinde, and Ahilyabai Holkar, who continued his vision of national unity.
• Cultural Impact: His life and love story with Mastani have inspired numerous works of literature, theatre, and cinema, including the popular film Bajirao Mastani (2015).

Evaluation

Historians regard Baji Rao I as the true architect of the Maratha Empire’s supremacy in 18th-century India. His military achievements were unmatched, and his political vision foresaw the rise of Indian powers capable of replacing Mughal rule.
The British historian Sir Edward Creasy described him as:

“The greatest military genius produced by India after the advent of the Mughals.”

Baji Rao’s life exemplified the ideals of valour, loyalty, and visionary leadership, and his campaigns paved the way for a new era in Indian history — the dominance of the Marathas in the subcontinent until the advent of British colonial rule.