Book Review of The Peshwa

About the book

It is the 18th century and despite the dominant Mughal rule, the Maratha Confederacy has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Indian Subcontinent. The fragile peace between the two powers is threatened when Balaji Vishvanath Bhat, Peshwa of the Confederacy, foils the plans of Nizam Ul Mulk of the Mughal Empire, and asserts the power of the Marathas. However, little does the Peshwa know that he has dealt the Nizam an unintended wound—one with roots in his mysterious past and one that he would seek to avenge till his last breath. 

When the Peshwa surrenders his life to a terminal illness dark clouds gather over the Confederacy as it is threatened by a Mughal invasion as well as an internal rebellion. 
All the while a passive spectator, the Peshwa’s son, Bajirao Bhat, now needs to rise beyond the grief of his father’s passing, his scant military and administrative experience, and his intense love for his wife and newborn son to rescue everything he holds dear. Will the young man be able to protect the Confederacy from internal strife and crush the armies of the Empire all while battling inner demons? Will he live up to his title of Peshwa?

My Thoughts:

Legends are born once in a hundred years who rise in power and valour. Bajirao the protagonist of the story is one such legend who wins every single battle he has fights under the banner of The Maratha kingdom.

An adolescent Bajirao joins his father in the quest to free Yesubai the captured queen of the Maratha Empire. In the journey to Delhi he learns the tricks of the trade of warfare from his father Peshwa Balaji Vishvanath. His clan belongs to the highest confederacy of the Maratha kingdom. Balaji Vishvanath holds himself responsible for the death of his younger son and pledges to take good care of this elder son.

Though Bajirao in his first quest was yet to see a real battle but was taught the tricks of the trade by his father. Both the father and son duo win against the Mughal Empire and free Yesubai.

Bajirao marries Kashi and after his father passes away becomes the new Peshwa of Maratha Empire and grows in power and go on to win many a battle.

The growth of Bajirao as a person and the commander of the Maratha Empire is highlighted in the story and how skilfully he instils his military strategy to win over his enemies is commendable.

The author has done an extensive research into the life of Bajirao and the plot of the story describes intricately the manners of how a Peshwa lives and how he leads his troops in war. When you go through the pages you will feel as if you are one of the characters in the story looking at the Peshwa from a distance. So, vivid are the scenarios that it will take you into a real battle field and the next moment you find yourself seen a loving husband and caring father who will do anything in his power to protect his wife and son.

The story gives a brief idea about the timeline where he becomes Peshwa and his growth in power to his meeting the princess of Bundelkhand. Read this book before you watch the movie “Bajirao Mastani” which will help you relate the story of Bajirao in details