The Peshwa was the second highest office in the Maratha Confederacy, next in rank and prestige only to that of the Chhatrapati. Initially serving as the appointed prime minister in the Maratha Kingdom, the office became hereditary after the death of Shahu in 1749. During the reign of Shahu, the office of Peshwa grew in power and the Peshwas came to be the de facto rulers of the Maratha Confederacy. However following the defeat of the Marathas in 1761, the office of the Peshwa became titular as well and from that point onwards served as the ceremonial head of the Confederacy underneath the Chhatrapati.
Kulkarni is a family name native to the Indian state of Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka. The name "Kulkarni" is a combination of two words. Kula means "family", and Karanika means "archivist". Historically, Kulkarni was the title given to the village record keeper.
Rao Bahadur Mahadev Govind Ranade, popularly referred to as Nyayamurti Ranade, was an Indian scholar, social reformer, judge and author. He was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress party and held several designations such as Member of the Bombay Legislative Council and Member of the Finance Committee at the Centre. He was also a judge of the Bombay High Court, Maharashtra.
Deshastha Brahmin is a Hindu Brahmin subcaste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. Other than these states, according to authors K. S. Singh, Gregory Naik and Pran Nath Chopra, Deshastha Brahmins are also concentrated in the states of Telangana (which was earlier part of Hyderabad State and Berar Division), Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Which was earlier part of Central Provinces and Berar) Historian Pran Nath Chopra and journalist Pritish Nandy say, "Most of the well-known saints from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were Deshastha Brahmins". The mother tongue of Deshastha Brahmins is either Marathi, Kannada or Telugu.
The Chitpavan Brahmin or the Kokanastha Brahmin is a Hindu Maharashtrian Brahmin community inhabiting Konkan, the coastal region of the state of Maharashtra. Initially working as messengers and spies in the late seventeenth century, the community came into prominence during the 18th century when the heirs of Peshwa from the Bhat family of Balaji Vishwanath became the de facto rulers of the Maratha empire. Until the 18th century, the Chitpavans were held in low esteem by the Deshastha, the older established Brahmin community of Karnataka-Maharashtra region.
Karhaḍe Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra, but are also distributed in states of Goa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
Chimnaji Damodar Moghe, popularly known as Chimnaji Damodar, was among the first Sardars to cross the boundary of Maharashtra to engage Mughal forces located in the central and northern regions of India in 1698. He also served as Rajadnya in the court of Shahu I and as Peshwa in the court of Sambhaji II of Kolhapur.
Purandar Fort is a mountain fort in Pune district in Western Indian state of Maharashtra, India. The fort stands at 1,374 metres (4,508 ft) above the sea level in the Western Ghats, 50 kilometres (31 mi) to the southeast of Pune.
Shaniwar Peth is a historic ward in the centre of the Indian city of Pune. Shaniwar means Saturday in Marathi and other Indian languages.
Saswad is a municipal council located on South-Eastern corridor of Pune district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Saswad is situated on the banks of the Karha River. Saswad is about 31 km from Pune-Central Station.
Ramabai was the wife of Madhavrao Peshwa I. Her father's name was Shivaji Ballal Joshi from Solapur.
Bhor State was one of the 9-gun salute Maratha princely states of Deccan States Agency. It was the only state belonging to the Poona Agency under the Bombay Presidency, which became later part of the Deccan States Agency. Along with Akkalkot State, Aundh State, Phaltan State and Jath State, it was one of the Satara Jagirs. The state merged with the newly independent Indian union in 1948.
Baloji Kunjar / Kunjir (17??–1816) was Sardar and Minister of Affairs in service of Peshwa Baji Rao II. He was Peshwa Baji Rao II's favorite. After the death of Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao, there was debates for the position of Peshwa among the Maratha Empire. Balaji Kunjar performed a successful role to convey most friendly declaration and assurance between Baji Rao II and Nana Phadanvis, to appoint Baji Rao II as peshwa of Maratha Empire. Peshwa Baji Rao II and Nana Phadanvis awarded inam (Jagir) to him in 14 villages near Purandhar fort, for his role. He performed successful role in administration of maratha empire and as affairs minister or diplomat (vakil) for Peshwa Baji Rao II. He along with his son Pandoji Kunjar and Narayan, enjoyed the position as Sur-Patil (सर-पाटील) at Pune Punch Mahals during the era of Peshawa Baji Rao II. He along with his family has long enjoyed the privileges of sar-patil of 360 villages and towns in the Subha of Poona.
Damaji Thorat (Marathi pronunciation:[d̪əmaːd͡ʒit̪ʰoːɾaːt̪]; was a Maratha chief who rose to prominence during the reign of Tarabai in the early 18th century. He joined Dhanaji Jadhav in his campaign across Khandesh, Baglan, and Gujarat from 1704 to 1708. When Shahu I arrived in the Deccan to assert his claim to the throne, Damaji supported Tarabai against Shahu. In 1711, he defeated and captured Balaji Vishwanath and Shahu's Pant Sachiv, later releasing them for a substantial ransom. After this incident, in 1713, Shahu, with the assistance of the Sayyid brothers, sent his Huzurat cavalry under the command of Balaji Vishwanath & Ambaji Purandare to defeat Damaji. Balaji besieged the fortress of Hingangaon and captured Damaji. The fortress was subsequently destroyed. Later, Damaji entered into the service of Shahu.
Niranjan Madhav also known as Niranjan Madhav Parasnis (1703-1790) was a diplomat and poet, who worked as Parasnis under Peshwa Bajirao I. He was sent on diplomatic assignments to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by Bajirao I and Balaji Bajirao.
The Gandekars are the royal family of erstwhile Bhor State, who were rulers of the Bhor State from 1699 to 1948
Sakharam Bapu Bokil, born Sakharam Bhagwant Bokil, was an influential minister, diplomat and statesman of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration in Pune, India. Before joining the Peshwa administration at Pune, Sakharam was the Kulkarni of Hivare.
