Bajirao I, born as Visaji, was the 7th Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy.
Portrait by an unknown artist.Date unknown
Bajirao I's handwriting in Modi script.
Equestrian statue of Peshwa Bajirao I outside Shaniwar Wada, Pune
20th century depiction of Bajirao in battle
Peshwa was second highest office in the Maratha Confederacy, next in rank and prestige only to that of the Chhatrapati. Initially serving as the appointed prime minister in the Maratha empire, the office became hereditary after the death of Shahu in 1749. During the reign of Shahu, the office of Peshwa grew in power and the Peshwas came to be the de facto rulers of the Maratha empire. However following the defeat of the Marathas in 1761, the office of the Peshwa became titular as well and from that point onwards served as the ceremonial head of the Confederacy underneath the Chhatrapati.
Peshwa
Malik Ambar, Peshwa of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate
Extent of the Maratha Confederacy, 1795
Statue of Balaji Vishwanath, the first Peshwa from the Bhat family, at Shrivardhan, Raigad district, Maharashtra, India.