Madhavrao I

Madhav Rao I (or Pantpradhan Shrimant Madhavrao (Ballal) Peshwa I aka Thorle Madhav Rao Peshwa ) (14 February 1745 – 18 November 1772) was the fourth Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. During his tenure, the Maratha empire recovered from the losses they suffered during the Panipat Campaign, a phenomenon known as the "Maratha Resurrection". He is considered one of the greatest Peshwas in Maratha history.

Early life and ascendancy to Peshwa

Madhavrao was the son of Nanasaheb Peshwa. He was born in Savnur in 1745. At the time of his birth, the Maratha Empire was stretched across a sizeable portion of Western, Central and Northern India. On 9 December 1753, Madhavrao married Ramabai in Pune.

Nanasaheb had expanded the Maratha rule to a great extent and had tried to establish better governance in the empire. However, during the Third battle of Panipat which was held on 14 January 1761, he was responsible for certain decisions which were partially responsible for the defeat of the Marathas against Ahmad Shah Abdali. The [Marathas] suffered heavy losses including Nanasaheb's eldest son Vishwasrao and eldest brother Sadashivrao Bhau. Unable to bear the sufferings, he died of depression at Parvati in Pune.