From Nana Purandare’s example, we come to know the way these children were eager to go on campaigns. Since he was not taken along on one of the campaigns, he became very upset. When his father Mahadoba heard that he was preparing to leave home alone, he wrote a letter trying to convince him otherwise from the campaign on 1 December 1741, “I had completely decided that I will bring you along on the campaign. But Shrimant did not approve. It is not correct to act without his approval. So, you stay at home for this year’s four months. If you feel like, go to Satara, or else stay at Saswad until I return. It is a new reign (of the new Peshwa). The Mughals have raised a dispute. Even the father has tried stopping you. Therefore, do think about returning back.”
Many of the things that have been referenced in the letters like above, like the awe-inspiring fear of the old ladies of the family inside the household, the study of battle-related chapters of Mahabharat, the affectionate relationship between the Peshwas and Chitnis etc. seem memorable. From the point of view of valour, there is no doubt the overall Peshwa family was much accomplished as compared to others. This predominance is expressed in their practice of instituting initiation at home. Bajirao’s mother Radhabai was especially involved in performing this initiation. When the Peshwas were out on campaign, this lady would run the affairs at Pune with elan. Due to the back-to-back deaths of Bajirao and Mastani, the angry dissensions within the Peshwa household immediately vanished. Since the Peshwa was blessed with the leadership of Radhabai for a long time in activities pertaining to the settling of the city, security, festive ceremonies, charity, gifts, taking care of pregnant women from the household, construction and renovation of temples etc. there was hardly any doubt that the Peshwa could apply all his attention to external enterprise. Nanasaheb was highly benefited due to this.
Even when a mighty father like Bajirao and an equal like Chimaji Appa had both died in a short span of time, young Nanasaheb did not flinch and joined his hereditary duty in all enthusiasm. This was the greatness of the grooming he must have received during that time. Not getting depressed in times of difficulty, and continuing with one’s usual duties is the mark of an alive nation. Maharashtra displayed this same emotion to the world after Panipat. Nanasaheb was earning valuable experience from the age of eleven by overseeing the affairs of the state. One of his very first letters written on 20 March 1731 is available. This must have been written by him when he had just completed nine years of age. In those days, it was general practice to allow the children of the Peshwa and other families perform activities like participating in campaigns, responding to letters, resolving disputes, issuing orders for people as necessary, since the age of ten or twelve. Besides, there were many elder men from other assisting families like the Purandares, who would help the Peshwa family. Ramchandra Malhar, Sakharam Bapu, Gangadharpant Chandrachud, Barve, Chaskar etc. able men were ready to act in unison and accomplish any kind of tasks. Due to this unity, the kingdom went on expanding. Nanasaheb seems to have learnt Sanskrit well. He knew selected portions of the Ramayan and Mahabharat, Vidur-Neeti, Bhagwad-Gita, other Shlokas and many more. In summary, the home education was supplemented with actual practical training outside. Due to this, everybody in the household got groomed and helped in the cause of the kingdom’s expansion.
Due to Bajirao’s death, the north fell into a kind of quandary. An urgent need arose to acquire the grant-notifications for Malwa and Bundelkhand. Nanasaheb recalled Mahadevbhat Hingne urgently for a meeting to understand what new situation had arisen at the Badshah’s court due to Nadir Shah’s invasion, and to discuss and decide what policies should the Marathas adopt in future. On 20 August 1740 Hingne arrived at Nasik. After this, he came to Pune and met the Peshwa. Ranoji Shinde had come to the Deccan to participate in the Vasai campaign and had remained behind. But, Nanasaheb also invited his steward Ramchandrababa and the Holkars to Deccan at this time. The Sardars, Pilaji Jadhavrao and Aavji Kavde too returned from Bundelkhand. After meeting everyone, it was decided that after meeting Sawai Jaisingh, the next course of action should be finalised. After getting the approval from Shahu for this project, a plan to embark on the campaign after Dussehra was finalised.
To be continued…
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