Vishwasrao Bhat was the eldest son and heir of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao of the Maratha Empire. From early in his life, he was trained in administrative matters and exposed to military training. He was killed during the Third Battle of Panipat.

Balaji Baji Rao, often referred to as Nana Saheb I, was the 8th Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy. He was appointed as Peshwa in 1740 upon the death of his father, the Peshwa Bajirao I.