Mastani was just one of the part of Bajirao's life which was a political strategy & over hyped as compared to Huge achievements of The Peshwa Legacy.
This Ideal Ruler Never imposed religion / language on any part of India.
Became Peshwa at 20 & lived till 40.
Warfare & strategy.
Maharashtra Empire was biggest in Bajirao's regime after years of void of Great Shiavji Maharaj .
Almost whole of today's india till Pakistan except few regions was Maharashtra !
Maratha Empire & Prime ministers Peshwa's dominated the Asian sub-continent for entire century before the firm establishment of the British power in the 18-19th century.
Let Bollywood keep selling U crap like Mastani love story & Mastani-Kashibai dancing .
but Don't just take wrong history wrongly prompted for 60 years or by fake Bollywood.
Do visit Shaniwarwada when you in Pune.
Many of us dont know about the history & achievements of Undefeated warrior Peshwa Bajirao I.
Bajirao hasn't been remembered enough. Let's Relive the history of World's Greatest Warrior Peshwa Bajirao I.
Peshwa Baji Rao I,(August 18, 1700 – April 28, 1740), was a noted general who served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the fourth MarathaChhatrapati (Emperor) Shahu from 1719 until Baji Rao's death.
1. Peshwa Bajirao, the great Maratha general and statesman, changed the map of India in the mid-eighteenth century.
2. Bajirao fought over 41 battles and is reputed to have never lost one. He is one of the three Generals in world history who never lost a battle. He is the only warrior of the world who till his death remained undefeated and a victor.
3. Bajirao Peshwa, who was accustomed only to the VICTORIES and who through his unparalleled political & military leadership expanded the Maratha Kingdom from DECCAN ( present Indian states of Maharashtra & Karnataka ), to right up to the ATTOCK of North India, (in the present day Pakistan), bringing major part of the then India under the control of Maratha Empire & its Emperor Shahu the First (The Grandson of Emperor Shivaji & the son of Emperor Sambhaji ).
4. He is often compared with Napoleon Bonaparte by many great historians. His first encounter, the Battle of Palkhed was a good example of his innovative warfare tactics. Looking back at this battle one is compelled to admire him.
5.Just how astute Bajirao was, can be gleaned from the manner in which he convincingly outwitted the Nizam of Hyderabad in the battle of Palkhed. A master strategist, Bajirao, with far less manpower and resources than the Nizam, managed to surround the Hyderabad ruler so completely, that the Hyderabadi ruler was forced to surrender without a drop of blood being shed.
6.It is said that the Mughal emperor used to be in such terror that they refused even fixing a meeting with Bajirao, fearing to even sit in his presence and therefore The holy pilgrimage routes of the Hindus from Mathura, to Benares to Somnath were made free of harassment.
7. Major battles won by Bajirao are Malwa (December, 1723) , Dhar (1724), Aurangabad (1724), Battle of Palkhed (February, 1728), Ahmedabad (1731), Udaipur (1736), Firozabad (1737), Delhi (1737), Bhopal - (1738)and Battle of Vasai (May 17, 1739).
8. The major reason of Peshwa Bajiro’s success lies also in his strong intelligence department. His intelligence agency was so strong that every moment he used to get all the information of his enemy’s whereabouts.
9. Field-Marshal Bernard Montgomery, in his "History of Warfare" likened Baji Rao's approach to that subsequently made famous by U.S. Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman during his 1864 "March to the Sea": the use of rapid movements where his troops lived off the land, with minimal concern for their own supply and communication lines, and employing "total warfare" on the enemy civilian population.
10. Two examples are the Battle of Palkhed in 1728 when he outmaneuvered the Mughal Governor of the Deccan province, and again in the battle against the Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah at Delhi during 1739. He concentrated on using local terrain to cut the enemy supply-lines with the help of rapid troop movement. He followed tactics of encircling the enemy quickly, appearing from the rear of enemy, attacking from the unexpected direction, distracting the enemy's attention, keeping the enemy off balance, and deciding the battlefield on his own terms.
11. The later Kingdoms of Scindias (Ranoji Shinde) of Gwalior, Holkars (Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads (Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars (Udaiji) of Dhar were created by Baji Rao as part of a Maratha Empire, as he wreaked havoc on the disintegrating Mughal Empire and set up his jagirdars (fiefdoms)
12. In the havoc of the religious intolerance continued by the tottering Mughals after Aurangzeb, Bajirao stood out as the champion of Hinduism as he protected Hindu religion from the onslaught of Islamic rulers.
13. The matriarch Radhabai Peshwa – mother of Bajirao was a shrewd administrator and excelled at writing. She had immense pride for Bajirao and his brother Chimaji Appa. One of her famous quotes was – “My Rau is so deeply revered in this Hindustan that no one would ever dare to harm me.” When Radhabai went on pilgrimage to Varanasi, no one dared to attack her because she was the mother of this most respected Chief Minister of Maratha Empire.
14. Bravest of the Brave, Fairest of the Fair Peshwa Bajirao I was a Bhakt of Lord Shiva. Leading by personal example, his banner, a swallow tailed saffron flag signifying sacrifice, held high he always moved into battle with the cry ‘Har har Mahadev,’ inspiring his troops to fight without fear.
15. An outstanding cavalry leader, Baji Rao was loved by his troops and his people. He fought for the protection of Hindu Dharma, and freed central and western India from Mughals. Under his command, Marathas defeated the Siddis (Moghul admirals), Portuguese, and Nizam, Pathans, Bangash and other generals.
16. Though he represented Hindu religion but still Muslims were allowed freely to practise their religion.
17. Bajirao died on April 28, 1740 still in his prime. He died of a sudden fever, possibly heat stroke, while inspecting his jagirs and en route to Delhi with one lakh (100,000) troops under his command at his camp in the district of Khargon, near the city of Indore. He was cremated on April 28, 1740, at Raverkhedi on the river, Narmada.
18. The final resting place of Bajirao – Samadhi (grave), remains in Raver, a quaint village near Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The Samadhi place is close to the shore of River Narmada where Bajirao breathed his last, during the preparation of another of his historic battles.
19. World Fame English historian Sir Richard Carnac noted that Bajirao died as he lived, in camp under canvas among his men, and he is remembered to this day among the Marathas as the fighting Peshwa and the incarnation of HINDU energy.
20. He ceaselessly striving for 20 years to establish the Hindawi Swarajya (Hindu Kingdom). His sons continued his mission of carrying the saffron flag to the gates of Afghanistan in 1758 to the fort of Attock in the North and simultaneously marching to the Southern shores of India. He represents the creative and destructive power of Dharma as he unleashed the urge of a people yearning to be free and remains as a symbol of victory to the Hindus in modern day.
Feeling Proud of this Great Warrior of Maa Bharti and Protector of Indian Civilization & Dharma..
संजय लीला भंसाली ने एक तरह से इतिहास पर एक उपकार किया है। मराठा और हिंदुस्तानी इतिहास के साथ न्याय किया है, लेकिन ये न्याय अब भी अधूरा है। छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज का सपना, जिसे बाजीराव बल्लाल भट्ट ने पूरा कर दिखाया।
दरअसल जब औरंगजेब के दरबार में अपमानित हुए वीर शिवाजी आगरा में उसकी कैद से बचे थे तो उन्होंने एक ही सपना देखा था, पूरे मुगल साम्राज्य को कदमों पर झुकाने का। मराठा ताकत का अहसास पूरे हिंदुस्तान को करवाने का। अटक से कटक तक केसरिया लहराने का और हिंदू स्वराज लाने का। इस सपने को किसने पूरा किया? पेशवाओं ने, खासकर पेशवा बाजीराव प्रथम ने।
दस दिन की दूरी श्रिमंत बाजीराव ने केवल पांच सौ घोड़ों के साथ 48 घंटे में पूरी की, बिना रुके, बिना थके। देश के इतिहास में ये अब तक दो आक्रमण ही सबसे तेज माने गए हैं, एक अकबर का फतेहपुर से गुजरात के विद्रोह को दबाने के लिए नौ दिन के अंदर वापस गुजरात जाकर हमला करना और दूसरा बाजीराव का दिल्ली पर हमला।
श्रिमंत बाजीराव दिल्ली तक चढ़ आये, आज जहां तालकटोरा स्टेडियम है, वहां बाजीराव ने डेरा डाल दिया। उन्नीस-बीस साल के युवा बाज़ीराव ने मुगल ताकत को दिल्ली और उसके आसपास तक समेट दिया था। तीन दिन तक दिल्ली को बंधक बनाकर रखा। मुगल बादशाह की लाल किले से बाहर निकलने की हिम्मत नहीं हुई। यहां तक कि 12वां मुगल बादशाह और औरंगजेब का नाती दिल्ली से बाहर भागने ही वाला था कि बाजीराव मुगलों को अपनी ताकत दिखाकर वापस लौट गया। नहीं दिखाया भंसाली ने ये सब.......
लेकिन क्या आगे की पीढ़ियां ये जानेंगी कि हिंदुस्तान के इतिहास का बाजीराव अकेला ऐसा योद्धा था, जिसने 41 लड़ाइयां लड़ीं और एक भी नहीं हारी,
बाजीराव पहला ऐसा योद्धा था, जिसके समय में 70 से 80 फीसदी भारत पर उसका सिक्का चलता था।
आगे की पीढ़ियां रणमर्द ब्राह्मण बाजीराव को जानेंगी, भंसाली को इसका क्रेडिट मिलना चाहिए, लेकिन एक रोमांटिक हीरो की तरह जानेंगी??एक ऐसे योद्धा की तरह जानेंगी, जिसने कट्टर ब्राह्मणों से टक्कर लेकर भी अपनी मुस्लिम बीवी को बनाए रख। ??बेटे का संस्कार ना करने पर उसका नाम बदलकर गुस्से में कृष्णा से शमशेर बहादुर कर दिया, इसलिए जानेंगी?? जोधा अकबर की तरह बाजीराव मस्तानी को भी जाना जाएगा?? नहीं! सत्य उजागर हुआ है और होगा!!!
वर्ल्ड वॉर सेकंड में ब्रिटिश आर्मी के कमांडर रहे मशहूर सेनापति जनरल मांटगोमरी ने भी अपनी किताब ‘हिस्ट्री ऑफ वॉरफेयर’ में बाजीराव की बिजली की गति से तेज आक्रमण शैली की जमकर तारीफ की है और लिखा है कि बाजीराव कभी हारा नहीं। आज वो किताब ब्रिटेन में डिफेंस स्टडीज के कोर्स में पढ़ाई जाती है। बाद में यही आक्रमण शैली सेकंड वर्ल्ड वॉर में अपनाई गई, जिसे ‘ब्लिट्जक्रिग’ बोला गया।
निजाम पर आक्रमण के एक सीन में भंसाली ने उसे दिखाने की कोशिश भी की है।
बाजीराव हर हिंदू राजा के लिए आधी रात मदद करने को तैयार था वो,
पूरे देश का बादशाह एक हिंदू हो, उसके जीवन का लक्ष्य ये था, लेकिन जनता किसी भी धर्म को मानती हो उसके साथ वो न्याय करता था।
कभी वाराणसी जाएंगे तो उसके नाम का एक घाट पाएंगे, जो खुद बाजीराव ने 1735 में बनवाया था, दिल्ली के बिरला मंदिर में जाएंगे तो उसकी एक मूर्ति पाएंगे। कच्छ में जाएंगे तो उसका बनाया आइना महल पाएंगे, पूना में मस्तानी महल और शनिवार बाड़ा पाएंगे।
अगर पेशवा कम उम्र में ना चल बसता, तो ना अहमद शाह अब्दाली या नादिर शाह हावी हो पाते और ना ही अंग्रेज और पुर्तगालियों जैसी पश्चिमी ताकतें। प्रेत की आग पर रोटी सेख कर खायी। घोडेपर बैठकर चने खाकर दिन गुज़रे। साल के ८ महीने पुणे से बाहर युद्ध किया। एक योगी का जीवन जिया इस योद्धा ने....शत शत नमन श्रिमंत बाज़ीराव पेशवा सरकार !
Facts about Peshwa Bajirao, which the movie “Bajirao Mastani” doesn’t describe
1. Bajirao never gave importance to caste. He promoted talented Maratha and Dalit soldiers in his army purely on merit. Similarly he never gave importance to religion. His battle with the Mughals remains restricted to his desire to end the Mughal tyranny.
2. It is said that when he received Maharaj Chattrasal’s letter (from Bundelkhand’s soldier & not from Mastani as shown in the movie) asking for help, he was having his meal. He left immediately & his soldiers joined later. He said “History would say that Bajirao was enjoying his meal & hence Chattrasal was defeated”
3. Bajirao is reported to have requested the Rana of Udaipur to become the emperor of India to head what he called 'Hindu Padpadshahi' (Hindu empire).
4. He is often compared with Napoleon Bonaparte by many great historians.
5. Bajirao’s decision to advance against Nadir Shah is said to have chilled Nadir Shah’s decision to attack Deccan & this cruel persian ruler who idolized Genghis Khan and Timur returns back to his country (The same Nadir Shah of Iran who looted and massacred Delhi and took the Peacock Throne and Kohinoor Diamond)
6. He spent 70% of his life with soldiers in camps, travelling & in battlefield. He ate with his soldiers.
7. He also died in a shamiyana (22nd April 1740) at Raverkhedi in Madhya Pradesh & his memorial exists there. People over there even today remember & respect him & call him as “Peshwa Sarkar” & his place as “Peshwa Sarkar ka Mandir”.
8. His premature death, due to super human exertions he underwent for the speedy realization of Hindu Padpadshahi, was a greater blow to the Hindu cause than half a dozen invasions of Nadir Shah.
9. After taking Kukshi fort when he advanced north & arrived at Mewar, Maharana Jagat Singh (descendant of Maharana Pratap) gave a grand reception to welcome him. Honouring him, Jagat Singh requested him to sit on the golden throne. In response to this, Bajirao Ballal sat on the silver foot rest. Everyone was shocked to see this. Bajirao’s explaination was that he doesn’t deserve to sit on the throne which was once Maharana Pratap’s throne.
10. Bajirao expanded the Maratha Kingdom beyond Maharashtra. (At its peak the Maratha empire included some parts of today’s Afghanisthan, Bangladesh and Pakistan).
11. It was he who was responsible for ending of Mughal dominance in the Indian subcontinent, flaunting the idea of Hindu Swarajya created by Chattrapathi Shivaji Maharaj.
12. Shahu Maharaj had once said “ If I am asked to choose between 10,000 army men & Bajirao ,I will surely choose Bajirao”
13. Bajirao's strategic warfare tactics are included in military trainings chapters of US army.
14. Bajirao was brilliant at charging bhala (spear). It's said that his throw was so powerful that not only the horsemen died but also the horse used to get injured.
15. His enemies use to tremble hearing his name. For those who have seen the movie must have seen the fright on the face of Bangash Khan in the initial half of the film & then later on the face of Nazir Jung (Nizam's son) in the 2nd half of the movie when they see him & the Maratha flag marching towards them.
16. This was when Bajirao went to meet Nizam who was then the most powerful ruler in south. When he was offered seat by Nizam, Bajirao replied that he will sit only with the Maratha flag on the background. Hence the Maratha flag was displayed on the background & only then he sat.
17. The late queen Kashibhai,first wife Bajirao Ballal was highly learned and had her own library. Since the late queen Kashibai suffered from a debilitating disease of the knee joints, she could never have been expected to dance. Moreover, the royal ladies never danced in public.
18. As per historical records, Bajirao Ballal Bhat, better known as Bajirao I, was born on August 18, 1700 and ruled between 1720 to 1740. He died in a battle on April 28, 1740. According to historical records, Bajirao I fought 41 wars and was never defeated in a battle.He used to carry a heavy Sword to battle which was very much more than a standard at that time.
19. Most importantly Bajirao's son from Mastani Shamsher Bahadur aka Krishna fought alongside Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat against Afghans and died during the same battle.Shamsher’s successor Ali Bahadur (Krishna Sinh) established his authority over large parts of Bundelkhand and became the Nawab of Banda. The descendents of Shamsher Bahadur continued their allegiance towards the Maratha polity and his grandson, Shamsher Bahadur II, fought the English in the Anglo-Maratha War of 1803
Finally I would end saying "THOSE WHO DO NOT READ HISTORY ARE DESTINED TO SUFFER THE REPETITION OF ITS MISTAKES"
***if u really like & appreciate the efforts of this great Peshwa, do copy + paste or share this so that many others know about him
#Bajirao #TheGreatMaratha #BajiraoPeshwa #BajiraoMastani #IndianHistory
I am a Proud Punekar.
