Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade was an Indian historian, known for his work on the history of the Maratha Empire. He pioneered research into the Empire by visiting hundreds of villages across India and gathering thousands of historical documents, especially family records. He also founded the Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, a research institute, at Pune in 1910.

Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, popularly known as Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal or just 'Mandal', is an Indian institute providing resources and training for historical researchers. It is located at Pune in Maharashtra state. The institute was founded in 1910 by the veteran Indian historian V. K. Rajwade and Sardar K. C. Mehendale. V. K. Rajwade founded Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal in Pune, on 7 July 1910 to facilitate historical research.