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Peshwas were the maratha rulers.... i found a brief history on them and bajirao I ... it is to be noted he had a mistress called mastani and i think thats the story that will be concentrated on more in this movie i feel....
Eighteenth century Pune:
The Peshwa rule
After the death of Shivaji in 1680, his son Sambhaji ruled the Maratha kingdom. Aurangazeb tried to squash the Maratha kingdom and finally succeeded in brutally killing Sambhaji at Wadu near Pune. Aurangazeb named Pune as Muhiyabad. Aurangazeb, however, could not counteract the Maratha tactics and he died near Aurangabad. Pune city again rose to power during the eighteenth century, under the leadership of the Peshwas who virtually ruled the Maratha kingdom from 1713 to 1818. Balaji Vishvanath was the first Peshwa or prime minister, appointed by the king Chhatrapati Shahu who selected Satara as his capital.
Pune gained importance during the period of the second Peshwa Thorla Bajirao who ruled from 1720 to 1740. During his time, the palace of the Peshwas - Shaniwar Wada was built. This famous monument of Pune city has five doors. The main door is called Delhi darwaza. The Peshwas went out for their military campaigns through this door and were also received here when they returned after succeeding in the campaigns. The door next to it is called the Mastani darwaza. Bajirao married Mastani, a Muslim, and lived with her in this palace. She used to pass through this door when she went to visit Bajirao. To the east are two doors. One is the Jambhul darwaza and the other in the corner is the Ganesh darwaza. There is a Ganesh temple in front of this door. Ladies of the royal Peshwa family took this door to visit the Kasba Ganapati temple. To the south is the Narayan darwaza. From this door, the dead body of Narayan Peshwa was moved out. To the west there is no door, but there is a passage to reach the upper part of the wall of the palace. The various mahals or buildings were constructed by different Peshwas. There are still remains of a fountain with thousand outlets called Hazari Karanje. It was Thorala Bajirao who expanded the Maratha empire into north and central provinces. Nanasaheb Peshwa succeeded Thorala Bajirao Peshwa and ruled the Maratha kingdom from 1740 to 1761. He tried to control the Nizam and maintained peace. He was instrumental in urbanising Pune city and encouraged the setting up of Peths or wards in Pune. He also encouraged people of different vocations to establish their settlements. He constructed the famous Parvati Temple complex, a pride of Pune city. He designed a water supply system from Katraj Lake that lies to the south of Pune city. A number of temples and palaces were constructed during his time.
The Marathas suffered a setback in the battle of Panipat in 1761 near Delhi. Nanasaheb who never recovered from this setback, died the same year. Madhavrao Peshwa (1761-1772) succeeded him, During his short tenure, he controlled the Nizam and brought confidence among the people. However, he was confronted with family troubles started by his uncle Raghoba Peshwa. He died at Theur, near Pune, which is famous for its Ganpati temple (one of the Ashtavinayakas ). Ramabai, wife of Madhavrao Peshwa committed sati and embraced death along with her husband. A temple exists today in her memory.
Narayanrao and Savai Madhavrao succeeded Madhavrao. Narayanrao was killed in an encounter with the soldiers employed by Raghoba Peshwa, uncle of Madhavrao, his predecessor. However, Raghoba Peshwa could not become a Peshwa, since he was sentenced to death by Chief Justice Ramashastri Prabhune on charges of plotting the murder of Narayanrao. Savai Madhavrao (1774-95) administered the Maratha kingdom with the help and advice of two groups --one headed by Nana Phadnis, a diplomat, and Madhavrao Holkar Mahadji Shinde the famous generals of the Maratha army. These Generals expanded the Maratha kingdom in the North and in Madhya Pradesh and challenged the Delhi Sultanate. During his time, he constructed the present famous Saras Baug Ganpati Temple, improved the Parvati temple complex and encouraged urbanisation of Pune city by establishing Sadashiv, Narayan and other Peths.
The Maratha power came to an end in 1818, when the British led by Mount Stuart Elphinstone defeated them and established the British Raj in this region. During this period, the French, the Portuguese and the British powers established contacts with the Peshwas, sent representatives for various functions. Pune and Delhi were the only centres of power during this century.
Edited By filmibuff on 1045982192
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