Nanasaheb was given the protocol garments of the office of the Peshwa on 25 June 1740. The cost of his robes is recorded. Nanasaheb’s robes costed 230 Rupees, and Chimaji’s 200 Rupees. Besides, all were presented with a pearl plume (costing 200 Rupees), and other official insignia. Birubai too presented both with a separate set of robes, costing 110 Rupees for Nanasaheb and 100 Rupees for Chimaji Appa. At this time, Mahadaji Ambaji Purandare was granted the Mutalik (representative) position of the Peshwa through written grant. He would serve the Maharaj through his personal attendance in lieu of the Peshwa. Until the time Shahu Maharaj was alive, the Mutalik had to stay at Satara. Later, during Ramraja’s reign, when the Chhatrapati forfeited his overall authority, the office of the Mutalik lost its rationale. The office was converted into that of the chief steward of the Peshwa. Nanasaheb was ably served by the following chief stewards –
- 1740-50 – Mahadaji Purandare.
- 1750-53 – Ramchandrababa and Sadashivrao Bhau.
- 1750-60 – Sadashivrao Bhau.
- 1760-61 – Neelkanth Mahadaji Purandare.
After granting the office of the Peshwa, Shahu also appointed around 30 Mokasa villages for the Peshwa at various places. These villages were under the control of various Sardars. Therefore, to allow the Peshwa to continue to enjoy the benefices without any hindrance, Shahu dispatched their issuance letters to various Sardars like Raghuji Bhosale, Fatehsingh Bhosale, and many other Sardars.
While giving him the protocol robes, Shahu ordered Nanasaheb, “Bajirao displayed immense valour and loyalty in achieving huge objectives after the senior Balajipant in his service. Towards the end, we dispatched him to vanquish the Irani, and re-installing the Badshah on the throne. He died young. You are his son. He had planned to protect the Empire and make the whole Hindustan his own. I trust that you will accomplish these objectives. Take your steeds beyond the Attock.”
With this order, he bade him farewell to go to Pune. The initial difficulties that Bajirao faced at the beginning of his reign, Nana too faced the same. It was not an easy task for a twenty-year-old youth to keep older, more renowned and experienced people under his control. Many heavyweights like the Pratinidhi, Babuji Naik, Damaji Gaikwad, Raghuji Bhosale, Tarabai etc. had opposed his appointment. It would get expressed openly at various times. Nanasaheb found it very difficult to keep all these people under his authority.
After this, Nanasaheb decided to visit the Berar province and north Hindustan. He took Maharaj’s permission and embarked on the journey. He collected tributes from various places. The moment he arrived in north Hindustan, Govindpant Bundele came afore to receive him and offered his part of the tribute. People felt assured. On his journey, the local kings and princes offered him their hospitality. Bajirao had an immense awe about him everywhere. All the officials treated Nanasaheb with the same respect. All the military officials were also wise. There were no problems faced anywhere. The campaign concluded at Ujjain. This way, Nanasaheb began his reign with due enthusiasm. The contemporary documents express the necessity of Nanasaheb’s contribution to fulfil the objectives of the enterprise begun by Bajirao, and why Shahu, through his foresight, planned for Nanasaheb’s appointment.
In the administration of an expanding state, none of the activities are held up. One task gives rise to the second, which in-turn gives rise to another, and this way the tasks go on mounting. In the twenty years of Bajirao, the extents of Maratha Confederacy had been growing in all directions like the north Hindustan, Carnatic, western coast, the eastern side facing the Nizam etc. He bore that burden with elan. He toiled day and night, and survived through whatever subject was brought to his attention recognising the impending priorities. Following are some such urgent tasks that could be discerned easily.
- Malwa province had been acquired by the Marathas. It was necessary to acquire the official grant notifications for the same, and setting up the administrative system there.
- It was necessary to consolidate the political position of the Marathas at the Badshah’s court at Delhi.
- Nizam-ul-Mulk was a constant obstacle in Maharashtra for the Maratha kingdom. It was necessary to remove this impediment through force or diplomacy.
- Carnatic was in absolute chaos. It was necessary to decide the authority there, and tying down all the various Naiks and Palegars there in the aftermath of Aurangzeb’s war.
- The Maratha authority on the western coast was shaky. The Portuguese were trying really hard to recapture lost Vasai. It was necessary to re-install the Peshwa’s authority there, which had lately taken a beating through the opposition that had arisen between the Angres and the British.
It will be clarified as we move along, how Nanasaheb kept the above affairs in his focus, and achieved success in them as much as possible.
To be continued…
NDHistories 