PESHWAS

PESHWAS

In the reign of Sahu, the peshwa or prime minister, Balaji Vishwanath, virtually became the ruler of the state. From now onwards began the rule of the Peshwas who had their seat of power at Poona. (Sahu's capital was Satara.)
In all, there were seven Peshwas, namely Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720); Baji Rao I (1720-1740); Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761); Madho Rao (1761-1772); Narayan Rao (1772-1773); Madho Rao Narayan (1773-1795); and the last being Baji Rao II (1795-1818). Of these seven Peshwas the ablest was Baji Rao I and the weakest and most incompetent was Baji Rao II.