Peshwa Bajirao I: The Napolean of India
Peshwa Bajirao I: The Napoleon of India
Portrait of Peshwa Bajirao I
Introduction
Few names in the history of Indian warfare shine as vividly as that of Peshwa Bajirao I. Born on August 18, 1700, as Bajirao Ballal Bhat at Sinnar near Nashik, he would become one of the world's greatest cavalry commanders ever. British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery would go on to analyze his tactics, and historians have even likened him to Napoleon Bonaparte and Alexander the Great. However, unlike these European generals, Bajirao went on to achieve his incredible military victories in a mere twenty years, never once losing a battle even though he fought more than 41 campaigns.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Portrait of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath
Source:- Wikipedia
Bajirao was born to a line of Chitpavan Brahmins who had risen to power in the Maratha Empire. His father, Balaji Vishwanath Bhat, was the very first Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Maratha Empire of Chhatrapati Shahu. Raised amidst the corridors of power, young Bajirao was schooled both in letters and arms. He was taught Sanskrit, administrative techniques, diplomacy, and above all, the art of war.
From a very young age, Bajirao followed his father to military and diplomatic forays, acquiring valuable experience in statecraft and strategy. He showed remarkable intelligence, rapid thinking, and natural cognition of military tactics that would characterize his career later.
When Balaji Vishwanath passed away in 1720, the issue of succession came up. Bajirao was just 20 years of age, and most courtiers wondered if such a young fellow could manage the role of the Peshwa. Yet, Chhatrapati Shahu realized the genius he had seen in the young Bajirao and appointed him as the second Peshwa of the Maratha Empire on April 17, 1720.
Revolutionary Military Philosophy
Traditional Maratha Cavalry
Source:- Wikipedia
The Cavalry Revolution
Bajirao's greatest contribution was his focus on rapid cavalry maneuvers. He declared, "Strike with the swiftness of lightning and disappear like the wind before the enemy has time to respond." This philosophy formed the basis of his military strategy.
He deployed his cavalry into very mobile forces that could ride exceptional distances within very little time. His units were recognized to move 40-50 kilometers a day, and even more on occasion, which was unheard of during his time. This made him capable of showing up at places the enemy did not expect him to and vanishing before they could effectively counterattack.
Guerrilla Warfare and Conventional Battles
Whereas the Marathas were already masters of guerrilla warfare (gav-kari), Bajirao pushed this into an art form and also demonstrated his competence in traditional pitched battles. He could quite easily shift between guerrilla raids and all-out battles based on the circumstances.
His tactics included:
- Rapid reconnaissance: Employing a chain of scouts and spies
- Speedy mobilization: Mobilizing forces quickly into key positions
- Surprise attacks: Attacking where and when the enemy didn't anticipate
- Psychological warfare: Sowing terror and doubt among enemy ranks
- Strategic retreats: Never falling into unpleasant positions
The "Barbhai Concept"
Bajirao had the idea of "Barbhai" or "Pindaris" – light cavalry groups that could penetrate deep into enemy lines, cutting communications, sowing confusion, and compelling the enemy to split their armies. This tactic of striking at the enemy's logistics and economic center made them weak before any major battle.
Major Military Campaigns
The Battle of Palkhed (1728)
Portrait of Nizam-ul Mulk Asaf Jah I
Source:- Wikipedia
One of Bajirao's most dazzling victories was over Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, the mighty Deccan Viceroy. The Nizam, having faith in his superior resources and manpower, set out for Pune with the intention of challenging Maratha rule.
Bajirao, with his typical brilliance, chose not to face him directly at first. Instead, he marched past the Nizam's army altogether and went directly to the Nizam's capital at Aurangabad, and threatened his home base. While the Nizam returned in haste to protect his capital, Bajirao had already severed his water supply lines and cornered him at Palkhed.
The Nizam, suffering from dehydration and hunger with no hope of reinforcement, was compelled to make peace. He signed a treaty acknowledging Maratha dominance in the Deccan. This campaign highlighted Bajirao's military genius – he emerged victorious without ever fighting a decisive battle, by mere better maneuvering and denial of sustenance to the enemy.
The Northern Expeditions
Bajirao had a vision that went far beyond the Deccan. He knew that for the Maratha Empire to be really a pan-Indian power, they had to reach North India.
The First Northern Campaign (1723-1724)
Bajirao took his first campaign to Malwa and established Maratha dominance in central India. He defeated Muslim local rulers and exacted tribute, pushing Maratha power into the north.
The Campaign against Gujarat (1723-1735)
Gujarat was a rich province, and Bajirao saw its economic and strategic value. Through a series of campaigns, he progressively brought Gujarat under Maratha control, defeating the Mughal governors and demanding constant tribute (chauth).
The Raid on Delhi (1737)
Route map from Deccan to Delhi
Source:- Wikipedia
One of Bajirao's boldest campaigns was his lightning raid on Delhi itself, the center of the Mughal Empire. With only 10,000 horsemen, he traveled the vast distance from Maharashtra to Delhi in record time.
The raid had several purposes: to show Maratha power, to embarrass the Mughals, and to prove that no location in India was out of Maratha reach. Although he did not try to capture Delhi, the raid shook North India to its core. The underlying message was obvious – the Mughal Empire was no longer unbeatable, and the Marathas were the rising power.
The Battle of Delhi (1737) and Bhopal Campaign
Portrait of Raja Chhatrasal
Source:- Wikipedia
Following the raid on Delhi, Bajirao engaged the Mughal commander-in-chief Muhammad Khan Bangash's forces near Bhopal. Bangash had raided the Bundelkhand area protected by the Marathas under Raja Chhatrasal.
In the most spectacular of Indian military rescues, Bajirao moved in winter with lightning speed to save the old Raja Chhatrasal who was besieged. Bajirao's forces came so suddenly that Bangash's forces were totally unprepared. Bajirao destroyed the Mughal army and saved Chhatrasal, who thanked him for a third of his kingdom and his daughter Mastani's hand in marriage.
The Battle of Vasai (Bassein) (1739)
Even though the battle was actually commanded by Chimaji Appa, it was strategized and directed by Bajirao. The battle saw the capture of the Portuguese fort of Vasai, putting an end to Portuguese supremacy along India's west coast and exhibiting Maratha aspirations on the seas.
Administrative and Political Achievements
Image of Peshwa Court
Source:- Military Wiki-Fandom
Although Bajirao is mostly recalled as a military mastermind, his achievements in administration and politics were no less remarkable.
Maratha Empire Expansion
During Bajirao's time, the Maratha Empire grew tremendously. He placed major regions of Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, and regions up to the borders of Delhi under Maratha control. Revenue of the empire multiplied, and the Maratha Confederacy was the ruling force in India.
The Establishment of Jagirdars
Bajirao created a network of Maratha leaders (sardars) who were allocated jagirs (land grants) in captured lands. These included:
- The Holkars in Malwa
- The Scindias in Gwalior and north India
- The Gaekwads in Gujarat
- The Bhonsles in Nagpur
This decentralized power but also guaranteed Maratha presence over large areas. Though this would eventually cause the decline of central power, at Bajirao's time it was a potent weapon for expansion and domination.
Infrastructure Development
Bajirao realized that there had to be economic prosperity to back military power. He promoted trade, constructed roads, and created administrative structures in new territory. He transformed the revenue collection mechanism and made the economy sustainable to finance the military machinery.
Diplomatic Skills
Outside the battlefield, Bajirao was a crafty diplomat. He had intricate relations with different Indian powers, pitting them against one another when the situation demanded. He knew when to fight, how to negotiate, and when to make calculated alliances.
Personal Life and the Legend of Bajirao-Mastani
Bajirao's personal life gives his legend a tragic and romantic touch. He was married to Kashibai, who was from a respectable Maratha family, and they had a number of children together. Yet, his most celebrated relationship was with Mastani.
The Love Story
Mastani was Raja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand and his Persian wife's daughter. When Bajirao saved Chhatrasal from the siege of Bangash, Chhatrasal, as a token of gratitude, gifted Bajirao not just land but also his daughter Mastani's hand in marriage.
Mastani was exceptionally beautiful, educated, and trained in music and dance. She was equally a trained fighter who is said to have accompanied Bajirao on some expeditions. Bajirao became deeply smitten with her, and the romance evolved into one of the most renowned love stories in Indian history.
The Social Controversy
The romance generated tremendous scandal in Pune's orthodox Brahmin society. There were several reasons why the union was problematic:
- Mastani was Muslim by birth through her mother
- She was treated like a second wife, which was disapproved of
- The Peshwa, being a Brahmin, was under the pressure of upholding strict religious customs
Bajirao's family, more so his mother Radhabai and his wife Kashibai, disapproved of the relationship. Pune's Brahmin orthodoxy did not approve of Mastani, and she could not attend religious rituals and social gatherings.
Although there was great social pressure, Bajirao stayed true to Mastani. He constructed a palace (Mastani Mahal) for her in Pune and fathered a son named Shamsher Bahadur with her. This disregard of social norms demonstrated another aspect of Bajirao's personality – his willingness to go against the heart, even in the face of great opposition.
Philosophy and Character
Religious Tolerance
Though a staunch Hindu and a Brahmin, Bajirao was extremely tolerant in matters of religion. His affair with Mastani was one instance, but he even had Muslims in his army and administration who were hired on the basis of merit and not religion. He defended temples but also showed respect towards mosques and other religious sites while waging wars.
Military Ethics
Bajirao had a code of soldierly virtues. Unlike most rulers of his time, he did not encourage unnecessary brutality against civilians. His wars were aimed at enemy armies and leaders, not ordinary people. This earned him admiration even from his foes.
Personal Courage
Bajirao never led from behind. He himself took part in battle, sharing the risks with his men. This won him intense loyalty from his men, who would go with him anywhere.
Vision for Hindu Swarajya
Bajirao strongly believed in Chhatrapati Shivaji's vision of "Hindu Swarajya" (Hindu self-rule). But his version was less religious supremacism and more a quest to establish native Indian power in opposition to foreign domination (mainly the Mughals and European colonial powers). Once he wrote to Chhatrapati Shahu: "Let us strike at the root of the Mughal tree and the branches will fall automatically."
The Final Days
Baji Rao Peshwa's Cenotaph
Source:- Hindustan Times
No matter how invincible he was in battle, Bajirao himself could not evade his mortality. Years of tireless campaigning, riding through untold hardships, and the unremitting pressure of war wore away at his constitution.
In April 1740, while he was coming back from a campaign in North India, Bajirao became gravely ill. He would have probably suffered from a mix of fatigue, fever, and also maybe heat stroke. In spite of his weakening condition, he kept moving ahead, bent on getting back to Pune.
On April 28, 1740, at the young age of 39, Bajirao I died near Khargone on the banks of the Narmada River. His death was sudden and unexpected, shocking the entire Maratha Empire.
Legend has it that when Mastani heard of Bajirao's death, she performed sati (self-immolation), though historical evidence for this is uncertain. What is certain is that Bajirao's death marked the end of an era.
Legacy and Historical Impact
Military Legacy
Bajirao's military legacy is remarkable:
- **41 big battles fought, none lost**
- Increased Maratha territory from about 3% of the Indian subcontinent to 38%
- Secured Maratha supremacy throughout central and northern India
- His strategies are still taught in military schools
His genius has been highly praised by military historians:
- His applications of mobility and speed were ahead of similar strategies by European generals
- He had superb knowledge of logistics and supply lines
- His skill to battle in different terrains (from the Deccan plateau to the plains of North India) displayed extreme adaptability
Political Legacy
Bajirao made the Marathas a regional power turned pan-Indian empire. He established the foundations on which would be formed the Maratha Confederacy, that at the height reached dominated most of India.
His method of putting Maratha chiefs in various areas created a chain of affiliated kingdoms that spread Maratha power throughout the subcontinent. Although this system ultimately led to fragmentation, while he lived it was extremely productive.
Cultural Legacy
Bajirao was a legendary figure in Marathi culture, the theme of many ballads, stories, and folk songs. His biography, especially his affair with Mastani, has been dramatized into films, novels, and plays.
The best-known contemporary adaptation is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2015 film "Bajirao Mastani," which introduced him to the world audience, albeit at a great artistic cost.
Historical Perspective
Historians have argued over Bajirao's role in Indian history:
Admirers argue:
- One of India's greatest military strategists
- He extended native Indian power in opposition to foreign masters
- He proved that Indian forces could beat the finest modern armies
Critics argue:
- His expansion too quickly might have stretched Maratha resources to the breaking point
- The decentralized system that he developed ultimately eroded central control
- His campaigns, successful as they were militarily, sometimes faltered in consolidation
Notwithstanding all such debates, his military genius and his role in Indian history are widely accepted.
Comparison with Other Great Commanders
Bajirao has been compared to other great military commanders by historians:
Napoleon Bonaparte
Both were masters of cavalry and stressed speed and mobility. Both revolutionized war in their era. But Bajirao never lost any battle, whereas Napoleon ultimately lost.
Alexander the Great
Similar to Alexander, Bajirao succeeded phenomenally early in life and also died young. Both were famous for leading from the front and commanding blind loyalty from their men.
Genghis Khan
Both appreciated the military strength of cavalry and mobility. Both created huge empires through rapid attacks and better tactics.
Khalid ibn al-Walid
The renowned Islamic general was also invincible in combat. Both Bajirao and Khalid had the distinction of never having lost despite waging many campaigns.
What distinguishes Bajirao is that he won all his victories within a span of twenty years and within relatively limited geography, but his influence was deep and lasting.
Conclusion
Peshwa Bajirao I was a warrior beyond just a military leader; he was a phenomenon who altered the texture of Indian history. In his short forty years of life, with merely twenty years of Peshwa-ship, he did what most of the rulers couldn't do in lifetimes.
He converted the Maratha Empire into a regional power in opposition to the Mughal rule to the dominant power in India. His warfare tactics were revolutionary, his strategic thinking was long-sighted, and his private life was a legend.
But despite all his triumphs, Bajirao was human—a man who loved passionately, fought valorously, dreamed expansively, and died prematurely. His tale is one of outstanding achievement clouded by personal sorrow, of military brilliance meshed with administrative ability, and of traditional Brahmin upbringing tested by liberal ideas.
Now, almost three hundred years since his death, Bajirao I continues to be an inspiration and subject of interest. His life teaches us that it is possible to achieve great things in a brief period of time, that bravery and intelligence can vanquish superior forces, and that leadership exists not just in the mind but also in the heart.
Among the fraternity of Indian heroes, Peshwa Bajirao I was one who towered above the rest—a warrior, a lover, a strategist, and a legend whose memory still inspires generations. His immortal words sum up his philosophy and legacy: "Remember, every inch of land conquered for the Maratha flag is an inch of land liberated from foreign rule."
The Marathas would go on to rule Indian politics for many decades following his death, ultimately being overpowered by British colonial authority in the early 19th century. But all these accomplishments were built upon by Bajirao I, the finest Peshwa, the unbeaten general, the farsighted statesman—plainly and simply the Napoleon of India.
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