Peshwa Bajirao I (1700–1740) stands tall in the annals of Indian history as one of its greatest military commanders and statesmen. His unbroken string of victories, unmatched cavalry strategies, and vision of a unified Hindu empire transformed the Maratha Confederacy into India’s dominant force. In just two decades, Bajirao changed the very political landscape of 18th-century India.
Yet, despite such an illustrious record, popular culture – especially through Bollywood – has grossly misrepresented him, focusing narrowly on his personal life while overlooking his grand military, political, and cultural contributions.
It is high time we honour Bajirao Peshwa with the respect he truly deserves by revisiting authentic historical records and uncovering the truths that Bollywood and other modern retellings have ignored or distorted.
Bajirao’s Military Genius: An Unbeaten Record
Bajirao’s name is synonymous with swift cavalry warfare and brilliant battlefield tactics. Throughout his career, he fought approximately 41 major battles and did not lose a single one – a rare feat even among the world’s greatest generals.
One of his most celebrated victories was the Battle of Palkhed (1728), where he outmanoeuvred the seasoned Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad through an ingenious movement of troops, forcing him into a humiliating surrender. The celebrated British historian Edward Gibbon called Bajirao “a heavenly-born cavalry general,” praising the precision and audacity of his military campaigns.
His victories were not based merely on brute force but on speed, surprise, and strategic brilliance. Bajirao revolutionised Indian warfare by pioneering “blitzkrieg” tactics long before the term became known in Europe. His emphasis on rapid cavalry movement, minimal supply chains, and devastating raids made his army one of the most mobile and effective forces of the era.
Moreover, Bajirao’s campaigns against the Mughal Empire, such as the sack of Delhi in 1737, severely dented Mughal prestige. His victorious siege at Bhopal in 1738 further established Maratha dominance in central India.
Bajirao’s genius lay not just in winning battles, but in creating a long-term impact that reshaped Indian politics for decades.
The Visionary Statesman: Beyond a Military Commander
Bajirao’s ambition was not confined to military exploits. He had a grand vision of creating a Hindu Pad-Padshahi (a Hindu empire) across India, a dream of consolidating a fractured Bharatvarsha under Maratha leadership after centuries of foreign invasions.
He understood that mere regional dominance would not suffice; to truly assert sovereignty, the Marathas had to control the Hindi heartland. Thus, he actively campaigned across Gujarat, Malwa, Bundelkhand, and parts of Rajasthan, planting the Maratha standard across territories once ruled by the Mughals.
Importantly, Bajirao was a master diplomat. He forged strategic alliances with regional powers such as the Bundelas, Rajputs, and even sections of the Mughal nobility. These alliances were built not just through political negotiations but also through personal bonds of trust and mutual respect.
The administrative and tax structures he established in conquered regions became models for Maratha governance and allowed for efficient revenue collection without overburdening the populace.
Bajirao’s statesmanship ensured that the Marathas did not remain confined to Maharashtra but became a pan-Indian power.
A Man of Deep Dharma and Honour
Peshwa Bajirao I was not just a military genius or a visionary statesman—he was also a deeply spiritual man who lived by the ideals of Dharma (righteousness) and Rajadharma (the duty of a ruler). His entire life was a balancing act between personal desires, societal expectations, and the sacred obligations he felt towards his faith, his people, and his land.
Raised in a devout Brahmin household under the strict tutelage of his father, Balaji Vishwanath, Bajirao imbibed the principles of Hindu philosophy and ethics from a young age. Despite being constantly engaged in warfare, he maintained an unwavering spiritual core. Daily rituals, pujas, and acts of charity were a part of his routine even during military campaigns. Accounts from the Peshwa Daftar and Marathi chronicles suggest that Bajirao would offer prayers before major battles, seeking divine blessings for victory not out of arrogance, but as an expression of surrender to cosmic will.
Bajirao’s interpretation of Dharma extended beyond mere ritualism. For him, Dharma was an active duty – to protect, to serve, and to uphold justice. He considered it his sacred responsibility to defend the oppressed and reclaim Bharatvarsha from foreign domination. This sense of duty drove his tireless military expeditions, not greed or personal ambition. He often stated that he was fighting not for personal gain, but to restore the dignity and sovereignty of the Indian subcontinent.
One of the most compelling examples of his Dharma-centric leadership was his intervention in Bundelkhand. When Maharaja Chhatrasal, a Bundela king, was besieged by Mughal forces, he sent a desperate plea to Bajirao. Without hesitation, Bajirao marched across difficult terrain to rescue Chhatrasal, defeating the Mughal forces and securing Bundelkhand. His actions were not based on political advantage alone; they reflected his commitment to protecting dharmic rulers and supporting Hindu interests against tyranny.
Bajirao’s personal life also reflected his dharmic values, albeit in complex ways. His relationship with Mastani, often misrepresented today, was handled by him with deep honour and responsibility. Despite intense societal resistance, Bajirao treated Mastani with the respect and dignity due to a noblewoman and wife. He provided her with separate quarters known as Mastani Mahal and ensured her protection. Yet, he remained dutiful to his first wife, Kashibai, and never abandoned his responsibilities towards his legitimate family and the state.
This nuanced balance between personal conviction and public duty exemplifies his high moral fibre. Unlike many rulers of his era, Bajirao did not allow personal indulgences to eclipse his statecraft. His governance remained steady, his campaigns relentless, and his sense of purpose intact.
Moreover, Bajirao maintained a remarkably austere personal life. Unlike the lavish courtly life popular in Bollywood depictions, Bajirao dressed simply, preferred practical attire fit for campaigning, and led his armies from the front. He did not build grand palaces for himself nor indulge in unnecessary luxuries. His wealth was invested in the needs of the state: fortifications, troop salaries, and religious endowments.
There are also accounts of his generosity and compassion. Bajirao is said to have frequently given large donations to temples, supported Sanskrit scholars, and patronised Vedic learning. He understood that the spiritual and cultural revival of Bharat was as important as military conquests.
Even his enemies grudgingly respected his sense of honour. The Nizam-ul-Mulk, after his defeat at Palkhed, acknowledged Bajirao’s magnanimity in victory. Unlike many conquerors, Bajirao imposed fair terms and avoided wanton destruction, focusing instead on securing political submission and respect.
In essence, Peshwa Bajirao was the living embodiment of the warrior-saint ideal celebrated in Indian tradition — a man whose sword was an extension of his Dharma, whose victories were offerings to his motherland, and whose life was a testament to unwavering honour, courage, and spiritual steadfastness.
It is this dimension of Bajirao—the dharmic warrior-king—that remains largely forgotten in modern popular portrayals, but it is perhaps the most important aspect of his enduring legacy.
Bajirao’s Role in Expanding the Maratha Empire
Bajirao inherited a growing Maratha kingdom, but it was under his leadership that the empire truly became a subcontinental force.
- He brought Malwa under Maratha control.
- Consolidated territories in Gujarat after defeating the Mughal governor.
- Strengthened Maratha influence in Bundelkhand by aiding Maharaja Chhatrasal against the Mughals.
- Forced the Mughal emperor to acknowledge Maratha rights to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi (taxes) across vast territories.
The northward push initiated by Bajirao eventually led to the Marathas reaching as far as Attock (in present-day Pakistan) a few decades later under his successors.
Bajirao’s military campaigns sowed the seeds for the eventual Maratha dominance in India until the rise of British power after the Third Battle of Panipat.
His legacy wasn’t merely one of battlefield victories, but of crafting a strong political, economic, and military foundation for future generations.
The True Love Story: Beyond Bollywood’s Fiction
The love story between Bajirao and Mastani has been heavily romanticised, often to the point of distortion.
Mastani, believed to be the daughter of Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand and a Persian-Muslim wife, was a princess of noble standing. Their union was not a casual dalliance but an honourable relationship, formalised according to contemporary traditions.
Mastani was a skilled horsewoman, dancer, and warrior. She often accompanied Bajirao on campaigns, and historical accounts suggest she was deeply devoted to him.
However, due to her Muslim lineage, the orthodox Brahmin society of Pune resisted her acceptance into the Peshwa household. Bajirao, while acknowledging his duties towards Kashibai, also stood firm in protecting Mastani from societal hostility.
Importantly, this relationship did not distract him from his primary duties as a warrior and statesman. Unlike what popular fiction suggests, Bajirao continued to lead military campaigns, negotiate treaties, and administer his empire with the same, if not greater, zeal.
Death of a Warrior: A True Martyr
In 1740, at the young age of 39, Bajirao succumbed to fever and heatstroke at Raverkhedi, near the banks of the Narmada River. He died while planning a campaign against the Nizam of Hyderabad, a testament to his undying commitment to his political mission.
His death was not the result of emotional despair, as melodramatic narratives would have you believe, but rather the physical toll exacted by years of ceaseless campaigning and leadership in harsh conditions.
He was cremated with full honours at Raverkhedi, where a Samadhi (memorial) still stands today – a silent yet powerful testament to the warrior who almost changed the destiny of India.
Critical Analysis: How Bollywood’s ‘Bajirao Mastani’ Tarnished a Great Hero’s Image
Bollywood’s “Bajirao Mastani,” directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is a visually stunning but historically flawed movie that has contributed significantly to the distortion of Bajirao’s true legacy.
Major Flaws and Distortions:
Exaggerated Romance: The movie portrays Bajirao as a tragic lover, driven by uncontrollable passion for Mastani to the detriment of his political duties. In reality, Bajirao’s campaigns continued uninterrupted throughout his relationship with Mastani.
Misrepresentation of Kashibai: Kashibai is shown as a pitiable, helpless figure, whereas historical records describe her as a strong, independent woman who managed Peshwa household affairs effectively during Bajirao’s frequent absences.
Public Displays of Affection: Scenes like Bajirao dancing exuberantly in “Malhari” or engaging in public romantic gestures are entirely fictional. Bajirao, as a high Brahmin and the head of state, maintained a strict code of public conduct befitting his position.
Overshadowing Military Achievements: The film spends a disproportionate amount of time on Bajirao’s personal life, almost ignoring his strategic brilliance that built an empire.
Fantasy over Facts: The lavish costumes, grand sets, and melodramatic dialogues bear little resemblance to the simpler, austere realities of 18th-century Maratha life.
By prioritising drama and visual spectacle over historical authenticity, the film inadvertently reduces a towering historical figure into a mere character of romance, stripping him of his real greatness.
Conclusion: Restoring Bajirao’s Honour
Peshwa Bajirao I was not merely a warrior; he was a nation-builder, a brilliant strategist, and a visionary who sought to revive India’s indigenous strength after centuries of foreign domination.
He was a man of dharma, discipline, and unmatched courage. His battles changed the fate of Indian history, and his governance laid the foundations for Maratha supremacy for decades to come.
While art and cinema have the right to creative expression, it is our collective responsibility to distinguish between fact and fiction, especially when dealing with historical figures of such towering stature.
Bajirao’s true story is far more inspiring than any fictionalised tale: a story of unbreakable will, timeless vision, and unwavering dedication to the motherland.
Let us remember him for the giant he truly was.
References for Further Study:
- “History of the Marathas” by James Grant Duff
- “New History of the Marathas” by G.S. Sardesai
- “Shivaji and His Times” by Jadunath Sarkar
- Primary Marathi Bakhars (Pant Pratinidhi Bakhar, Chitnis Bakhar)
- Peshwe Daftar Archives, Pune
- “Rise of the Maratha Power” by Mahadev Govind Ranade.