The word Peshwa translates into the foremost leader in English. Shivaji, the Maratha ruler is credited with the creation of the title of Peshwa for the effective delegation of administrative duties in the Maratha Empire. These Peshwas of Maratha Empire are described below.
Balaji Vishwanath
Balaji Vishwanath, the 1st hereditary Peshwa of the Maratha Empire is known to help a young Maratha Emperor namely, Shahu in strengthening his control over a kingdom that was facing troubles like civil war and continuous attack by the Mughals under Aurangzeb.
Bajirao I
Bajirao I carried out the duties of a Peshwa for the 4th Maratha Chhatrapati Shahu. He is known to stretch the Maratha Empire, especially in the north and had never lost a battle. The British Army officer Bernard Montgomery, considered Bajirao to be finest cavalry general ever produced in India.
Balaji Baji Rao
Balaji Baji Rao, documented as the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in the pages of history, is credited with the extension of the Maratha territories into most of north-west, east and central India. He is known to have lost the 3rd Battle of Panipat in 1761.
Madhavrao I
Madhavrao I was the 4th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. When Madhavrao I served as the Peshwa, the Maratha kingdom recuperated from the losses they had experienced during the Third Battle of Panipat. This revival is termed as the Maratha Resurrection. He is considered one of the greatest Peshwas in Maratha history.
Narayan Rao
Narayan Rao is identified as the 5th Peshwa or de facto ruler of the Maratha Empire.
Raghunath Rao
Raghunath Rao controlled the Maratha Empire as a Peshwa and is credited with stretching the Maratha Empire till Peshawar in the north-west. He had witnessed the decline of Maratha power in north India.
Madhavrao II
Madhavrao II became the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in India as per the Treaty of Salbai in 1782. At the time, Madhavrao II was barely 40 days old. Political intrigues of Nana Phadnis were in swing when Madhavrao II held the title of the Peshwa.
Baji Rao II
Baji Rao II is documented in the pages of history as the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. He was reduced to a puppet ruler when the Maratha nobles had assumed power. He had signed the Treaty of Bassein with the British that led to the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805). The Britishers turned out to be the winner and Baji Rao II again became the titular Peshwa. He had to surrender to the British post defeats in several battles.
