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As the
meaning of the word, in political sense goes 'Peshwa' in Chatrapati
Shivaji's time was a term , equivalent to the 'prime minister ,in his
eight fold ministry. He was held responsible for the overall administration
of the country, and answerable to the king. However, other ministers
were responsible to the administration . When the king concluded a treaty,
the Peshwa's signature was also put on it. Thus he was the 'chief advisor'.
The Peshwa rule, where in the Peshwa's
dominated the history, by keeping the king nominally on his position
ranges from 1701to1818.Each
of the Peshwa's had a significant contribution , till Savai Madhavrao
the second . It was during this time , that Maratha empire probably
crossed the boundaries of Delhi and their rule , even though for a while extended beyond country's
limits. So also, this was the time when they suffered one of their biggest
defeats on the battle field at the third battle of Panipat.
Peshwa's
made significant changes in the administration style and function of
Chatrapati Shivaji's time. They started the system of 'Chauthai 'and
'Sardesh muki'- the new taxation system based on land and crop and thus
started a feudal ( Saranjamshahi ) system. It may have been the need
of the time, as discussed later.
During
the Peshwa rule, Chatrapati Shivaji's strategy of straight 'conquer
& capture' was also changed to, politics of the treaties.
A
very striking event, during the regime of Peshwa's was the third battle
of Panipat, between Maratha's and the Afghans, on January 14, 1461.
It delivered a serious blow to the Maratha's and enabled the British
to dominate the country's scene over future decades.
After
Panipat battle, Madhavrao Peshwa took over. He was barely 18 years old.
He had an up hill task of reviving the full glory of Maratha empire
in front Of him. During his time, much of the lost prestige was regained.
However.he was not destined to live long , and died at a young age.
To his credit , is successive defeating of the Nizam of a perpetual
enemy of the Maratha's . Also he kept a full check of the activities
of the south Indian monarch of
Mysore Hyder Ali.
The
period between 1772 and 1818, after Madhavrao, was critical for the
Peshwa's & Maratha empire. It was also a period of treachery , and
internal conflicts, along with the Narayan Rao Peshwa, the younger brother
of Madhav rao , at the hands assassins placed by Ragunathrao
, uncle of Madhav Rao.
A
great diplomat, savioured by Madhav rao- Nana Phadnis balanced the situation
after Madhav rao. Had he not been there, future of the Peshwa rule was
in danger. In the time to progress , after Narayan Rao, Savai Madhav
rao tried to recapture the situation . In was during these times , Maratha's
sparred with British three times ,ultimately lost.
The
fourth war between Maratha's , under Peshwa rule and British in 1818
proved conclusive. Bajirao the second, Peshwa at that time was ousted
from the throne, and deported to Bithur near Kanpur, on an annual pension
of Rs.8 lakh . Holkars , Bhosales, the parallel of Peshwa in different
territories were in the same position.It
was this time the British emerged as the paramount power in India, until
the first war of Indian Independence in 1857.
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2001 vandemataram.com All rights reserved.
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