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Showing posts from April 19, 2026

Tripping Around Peshwa Lands

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A trip to understand the life , times and intrigues  in a section of  Maharashtra when Peshwas were riding high .   PESHWAS  When considered in terms of duration in India's long history, the  influence of  Peshwas was  rather short   - from 1713 to 1818 . From Moropant Pingale ( appointed by Shivaji) to Baji Rao II & Nana Saheb . Still, their history is charismatic , filled with action and pizzazz , contributing the crucial "atmosphere" for the history of that amazing band , The Maratha Confederacy ,  and its larger-than-life  central figure , Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , whose mere name can send the average Marathi Manoos into throes of jingoistic fervor .  A decidedly colourful bunch , these Peshwas . Second only to the Emperor , their clout at times overshadowed  that of The Throne , reducing the Crown to a mere nominal decoration. Mostly from the Brahmin fold , the  Peshwas were not only able administr...