Dynamic Women Behind Dynamic Men

RadhaBai Saheb Peshwa

Within the Maratha strong hold were the wives of some Dynamic warriors, who played an important role in their lives.

Through a series of posts I wish to highlight some of these brave and efficient women who were equal to their warrior husbands. They knew the administration of the land, were well versed and sometimes were shrewd enough to act as liaison between two warring parties.

This is my salute to these women who ruled during the Maratha Era albeit...behind the scenes.

Radhabai Saheb Peshwa:

Radha Bai was the second wife of Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa. Except for a record saying that Balaji was married earlier, nothing is known about his first wife.
No records are available about the marraige of Radhabai and Balaji Vishwanath per se,  but it is assumed that the marriage was held in Chiplun and a record saying that it cost Rs. 20/-. This was before Balaji Vishwanath came to Saswad (ref: my post on Saswad on 22/04/2013).

Radhabai was a brave, hardy and efficient woman.
 Balaji Vishwanath Bhat was awarded the title of 'Peshwa' by Shahu Maharaj on the 17th Nov. 1713. Radhabai took to her duties, managing her status as the wife of the Peshwa, in a most competent way.
Later in life, after Balaji's death, she undertook the upbringing of her two sons, Bajirao 1 and Chimaji Appa in a disciplined yet compassionate way.

Radhabai was well versed in the arts of reading and writing. She had immense knowledge of handling the administration of the state. The court was answerable to her in all the dealings that took place in the political and social life in and around the Shaniwarwada.
Even the most influential and prestigious people were in awe of her.
She had a quick temper and even her two illustrious sons were not spared from her searing tongue if she thought they were in the wrong.
She was shrewd enough to realise that campaigns and battles could not be successful without money. To this effect, she arranged the marriages of Bajirao1, Chimaji Appa and the latter Peshwas to the daughter of "Sahukars", ( Money lenders ).

When Bajirao 1 and Chimaji Appa were out on their campaigns, it was Radhabai who looked after the affairs of the state in their absence. They had to send detailed reports to her about their campaigns.
In 1721 Bajirao1 was to conduct a political meeting with the Nizam of Hyderabad. Radhabai had given him sound advice, whether to meet the Nizam, on what terms, where and when to meet him etc.

In 1735 Radhabai decided to go on a pilgrimage to Kashi (Varanasi ). To leave Pune and Shaniwarwada and to embark on this long journey was fraught with danger. Her well wishers were sceptical about this as the Marathas had many enemies on the way. The atmosphere was not conducive for a pilgrimage.
 Radhabai was a determined person, very proud and  self respecting. She had immense faith in her sons Bajirao and Chimaji Appa. Radhabai had proclaimed, " My Baji is so revered in Hindustan that no one would dare to harm me." 
Such was the respect given to Bajirao, that no one dared to attack or capture Radhabai while she travelled to and from Kashi (Varanasi).
What I find interesting is the detailed record of this epic journey.
Radhabai began this historic journey on 14th February 1735 and returned back to Pune on 24th May 1736.
A period of 1 year and three months.

Her travelogue reads thus:

14th Nov. 1735 Left Pune.
8th March    Burhanpur
18th April   Crossed the Narmada to Badhwai
6th May     Udaipur......The documented record, reports that the Rana of  Udaipur,looked after her      for a whole week, honouring her with a pearl necklace, a pendant, gold bangles, baby elephant and Rs. 5000/- for her personal use.
18th May   Nathdwar
21st June to 15th September  Jaipur. When Radhabai reached Jaipur, Sawai Jaisingh gave her a 
royal welcome and was her host for more than 2 months.
Sept and October  Mathura, Vrindavan, Kurukshetra, Prayag. Bajirao1's old enemy Muhammad 
Shah Bangash, too sent his Diwan with gifts to sure that Radhabai was in comfort and gifted her Rs. 1000/- for her journey. Bangash called her  (माता समान ), like his own mother.
The Delhi Badshah sent his troops to protect her when she camped at the Jamuna river.
17th Oct   Kashi ( Varanasi ) 
23rd December   Gaya
Jan. 1736  Began her return journey,   Via Gaya, Sagar, Bundelkhand, Crossing the Narmada at 
Badhwai reaching Pune on the 19th of April 1736.
The whole pilgrimage is said to have cost Rs. I lakh.

Radhabai used to independently and with diplomacy, handle political alliances while on her pilgrimage. She astutely brought along a positive attitude from the kingdoms of Jaipur and Udaipur towards the Marathas. To this effect she was successful in the formation of a treaty between the Rana of Udaipur and Bajirao Peshwa1.
She persuaded Harprasad the Diwan of Bangash to join the Peshwa.


Radhabai left for her heavenly abode on the 19th of April 1753.
She was respectfully acknowledged as " Veerpatni, Veermata,and Matoshri ". 
Many of her letters, documents and articles are available at Nashik, while 60 of her letters to her sons and other dignitaries are there in the Peshwe Daptar in Pune. ( ref: Peshwe: Author: Shriram Sathe, Page 109 ).

In the age when women were left out to look after their homes and had no say, she rose above all that  and kept the Peshwa Flag flying.




Ref Books: पेशवे  घराण्याचा  इतिहास.  Author: Pramod Oak. 
                                                            Published :2001  Continental Prakashan                                                                     
                   पेशवे                             Author: Shriram Sathe
                                                       Published: Jan 2013 Prafullata Prakashan