• According to Dr. Sinha, the rise of the Peshwas was due to the difficulties of Sahu and the political unrest in Maharashtra.
• The rise of the Peshwas was gradual and not accidental or phenomenal.
• The Peshwas worked their way up from an ordinary position to the headship of the State and eventually to de facto sovereignty.
• Balaji Vishwanath is considered the founder of the House of the Peshwas, making the office hereditary in their family.
• Balaji Vishwanath paralyzed the power of their colleagues and ultimately the king.
• Initially, the Peshwas occupied a rank second to the Pratinidhi and had to overcome him to establish their supremacy.
• Once the Peshwas became supreme in the State, the king automatically yielded place to them.
• The Peshwas achieved this due to their superior ability.
• The rise involved two phases: first eclipsing the Pratinidhi and their colleagues, and then eclipsing the king.
• This transfer of authority from the masters to the servant was gradual, silent, and carefully accomplished, escaping contemporary notice.

Balaji Vishwanath (1714-20)

• Balaji Vishwanath enjoyed the trust and confidence of his master Sahu, leading to his appointment as Senakarte (Organiser of Forces).
• Balaji’s ancestors were Deshmukhs, and he initially worked as a clerk in the salt works at Chiplun and later as a revenue clerk.
• In 1689, he worked as Sar-Subah of Poona and Daulatbad, coming into contact with the Mughals and Sahu around 1705.
• Sahu had a high opinion of Balaji Vishwanath’s ability, loyalty, and character, especially after his release.
• Balaji Vishwanath played an important role in crushing opposition to Sahu.
• In 1719, Balaji was invited to Delhi by the Sayyad Brothers and helped them, although Farrukh Sayyar was killed.
• He received three grants from Mohammad Shah, the Mughal emperor, which laid the foundation for the Maratha empire:
  • Chauth (one-fourth share of the revenues of Deccan and Southern India).
  • Sardeshmukhi (one-tenth share of produce over and above Chauth).
  • Swaraj (full sovereignty of the Marathas over their country).
• Sahu was to avoid molesting Sambhaji of Kolhapur and pay an annual tribute of Rs. 10 lakhs to the Mughal emperor.
• The emperor was to release Sahu’s family members detained at Delhi.
• These grants revealed the weakness and disintegration of the Mughal empire, making it clear to the Marathas that the empire was rotten and could potentially fall.
• Balaji Vishwanath saw the opportunity to build a Maratha empire on the ruins of the Mughal empire.
• He envisioned a prosperous Hindustan, sacred to Hinduism, and a thriving Maharashtra under Maratha rule.
• His prestige at the Mughal court gave the Marathas the opportunity to influence the political scene and potentially make and unmake emperors.
• Balaji Vishwanath contributed to a lot for the Marathas, bringing peace and prosperity after a civil war.
• He won Shivaji’s Swarajya from the Mughals without a battle and impressed the Mughal capital with the Maratha arms.
• He strengthened Sahu’s position on the throne and gained loyalty and respect from Maratha chiefs.
• He laid the foundations of the future Maratha Confederacy, aided by the Mughal disintegration post-Aurangzeb’s wars.
• The system of Jagirs (land grants) emerged in Maharashtra after Shivaji’s state was destroyed, changing the nature of the Maratha state and paving the way for the Confederacy.
• Under Rajaram, the Maratha commanders were granted Jagirs, becoming independent and acting on their own initiative, paying a share to Rajaram but not relying on him.
• Rajaram, Tara Bai, and Sahu allowed the Jagirdar system to continue, not altering the system to avoid conflict.
• Sahu kept the Jagirs intact as a part of his strategy, which involved keeping the support of the Maratha chiefs.
• Balaji Vishwanath himself held large Jagirs, and he did not attempt to abolish the Jagir system. These Jagirs became hereditary.
• The grant of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the Mughals to the Marathas in 1719 favoured the growth of the Maratha Confederacy.
• Marathas were required to maintain peace and order in their territories while collecting the taxes.
• Balaji Vishwanath solved the problem by dividing the Deccan (except Swarajya) into territories assigned to jagirdars, feudatories, ministers, and his favourites.
• Balaji Vishwanath collected money from Khandesh and Balaghat.
• He assigned Balgam and Gujarat to Senapati, Gondwana, Painghat, and Berar to Kanhoji Bhonsla, and Gangathadi and Aurangabad to Sarlaskar.
• Hyderabad, Bedar, and territories between Nira and Warna were given to the Pratinidhi.
• These officials collected Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, kept part of the revenues for their maintenance, and sent the rest to the royal treasury.
• The officials were effectively independent within their territories and not subordinate to the Peshwa or Sahu.
• This system contributed to the creation of the Maratha Confederacy, where Maratha commanders became more independent as they gained money and large armies.
• The financial arrangements made by Balaji Vishwanath made the Peshwa and Sahu dependent on the Maratha military leaders for money and resources.
• According to Dr. Sinha, the king became a pensioner of the feudatories, relying on his 25% share and Sardeshmukhi income, with military power passing to the Sardars.
• Balaji’s decision to have different Sardars maintain the royal establishments further weakened the authority of the king.
• The Rajajnya was appointed to ensure that the feudatories contributed their share for the royal maintenance.
• The king’s position was undermined, and Balaji Vishwanath was responsible for making him a pensioner of the feudatories.
• Sir Richard Temple described Balaji Vishwanath as a Brahmin with a calm, comprehensive intellect, diplomatic genius, and a master of finance.
• He successfully negotiated Maratha sovereignty with the Mughals and played a crucial role in the creation of a Hindu empire over the ruins of Muhammad power.
• Sardesai highlighted that Balaji Vishwanath’s services were not properly recognised in history.
• Sahu recognised his incomparable capacity and merit after a 5-year trial and a close relationship.
• Balaji Vishwanath’s family had served under Shivaji, and he possessed extensive experience from the Mughal-Maratha struggle.
• He showed foresight and statesmanship in using resources to complete Shivaji’s vision of a Hindu empire, despite challenges from the reigns of Tarabai and others.