Modern History Prelims Question

King Shahu died in 1749 and by his will left all the management of state affairs in the Peshwa’s hands. The office of the Peshwa had become hereditary and the Peshwa was the de facto ruler of the state. He had become the official head of the administration and as a symbol of this fact, shifted the government to Poona, his headquarters. Balaji Baji Rao was the Peshwa when King Shahu died.
A campaign against the Portuguese was started under Baji Rao who was the successor of Balaji Vishwanath. Baji Rao was a bold and brilliant commander, who has been described as the greatest exponent of guerrilla tactics after Shivaji.
In 1733, he started a long campaign against the Sidis of Janjira and the end expelled them from the mainland. Simultaneously, a campaign against the Portuguese was started. In the end, Salsette and Bassein were captured. But the Portuguese continued to hold their other possessions on the west coast.
After the death of Madhav Rao in 1722, the Maratha Empire fell into a state of confusion. At Poona there was a struggle of power between Raghunath Rao, the younger son of Balaji Baji Rao and Narayan Rao, the younger brother of Madhav Rao. Narayan Rao was killed in 1773. He was succeeded by his posthumous son, Sawai Madhav Rao. Out of frustration, Raghunath Rao went over to the British and tried to capture power with their help. This resulted in the first Anglo-Maratha war.

King Shahu died in 1749 and by his will left all the management of state affairs in the Peshwa’s hands. The office of the Peshwa had become hereditary and the Peshwa was the de facto ruler of the state. He had become the official head of the administration and as a symbol of this fact, shifted the government to Poona, his headquarters. Balaji Baji Rao was the Peshwa when King Shahu died.
A campaign against the Portuguese was started under Baji Rao who was the successor of Balaji Vishwanath. Baji Rao was a bold and brilliant commander, who has been described as the greatest exponent of guerrilla tactics after Shivaji.
In 1733, he started a long campaign against the Sidis of Janjira and the end expelled them from the mainland. Simultaneously, a campaign against the Portuguese was started. In the end, Salsette and Bassein were captured. But the Portuguese continued to hold their other possessions on the west coast.
After the death of Madhav Rao in 1722, the Maratha Empire fell into a state of confusion. At Poona there was a struggle of power between Raghunath Rao, the younger son of Balaji Baji Rao and Narayan Rao, the younger brother of Madhav Rao. Narayan Rao was killed in 1773. He was succeeded by his posthumous son, Sawai Madhav Rao. Out of frustration, Raghunath Rao went over to the British and tried to capture power with their help. This resulted in the first Anglo-Maratha war.

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