Narayanrao Peshwa

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Narayanrao Peshwa bigraphy, stories - Dynasty

Narayanrao Peshwa : biography

1749 – 1773

Narayan Rao (b. 10 Aug. 1755 – d. 30 Aug. 1773) was the fifth Peshwa or ruler of the Maratha Empire from November 1772 till his death by murder in November 1773.

Early life and ascendancy to Peshwa

Narayanrao was the third son of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (or Nanasaheb) and Gopikabai. Narayanrao was born on 11 August 1755. His elder brother Vishwasrao had died in the Third Battle of Panipat and the second brother Madhavrao succeeded his father after his death. Narayanrao was made diwan of Peshwa from 1770. Madhavrao knew that it would be difficult for Narayanrao to work as Peshwa in presence of Raghunathrao.

Madhavrao I died in 1772 and was succeeded by seventeen-year-old Narayanrao with his uncle Raghunathrao acting as regent. It was decided between Narayanrao & Raghunathrao to work together but differences arose soon. Narayanrao was very immature & angry. His uncle Raghunathrao & aunt Anandibai were very upset because Narayanrao became Peshwa. Narayanrao & Raghunathrao were surrounded by ill-intentioned advisors, who poisoned their minds against each other. Due to these reasons Narayanrao confined Raghunathrao to his house.

Haunting

The location of the prince’s death, Shaniwar Wada, is rumored to be haunted. It is said that at midnight on every New Moon, the prince’s ghost can be heard crying "Kaka, mala vachva!"

Murder of Narayanrao

During the Ganesh Festival of 1773 (actual date is 30 August 1773 and it was the last day of Ganesh Festival i.e. Anant Chaturdashi) several Gardi guards, led by their captain, Sumer Singh Gardi, entered the palace and created a commotion. They then charged towards the sleeping Peshwa’s chambers, killing a clerk on the way. They intended to release Raghunathrao.Raghunathrao and his wife Anandibai, who were opposed to Narayanrao, promised the Gardis that they would mediate in their dispute with Narayanrao. The Gardis followed Narayanrao to his uncle’s chamber and a menial pulled him while Sumer Singh Gardi cut him down. His corpse was cremated secretly by the river at midnight. Narayanrao was killed in a skirmish as the Gardis tried forcefully to take him.

According to popular legend, Raghunathrao had sent a message to Sumer Singh Gardi to fetch Narayanrao using the Marathi word dharaa (धरा) or ‘hold'(actual phase – Narayanrao la dhara). This message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai who changed a single letter to make it read as maaraa (मारा) or ‘kill’ . The miscommunication led to the Gardis to chase narayanrao, hearing them coming narayanrao started running towards his uncles residence screaming "Kaka! Mala Vachva!!" or "Uncle! Save me ! But nobody came to help him and then he was killed in the presence of his uncle, rumour has it that Narayanrao’s body was hacked into so many pieces that they had to carry the pieces in a pot and then it was taken near the river and was cremated there at midnight.

This act brought ill fame to the Peshwa administration, now being looked after by the minister Nana Phadnavis. The Chief Justice of the administration, Ram Shastri Prabhune was asked to conduct an investigation into the incident, and Raghunathrao, Anandibai and Sumer Singh Gardi were all prosecuted in absentia. Although Raghunathrao was acquitted, Anandibai was declared an offender and Sumer Singh Gardi the culprit. Sumer Singh Gardi died mysteriously at Patna in Bihar in 1775, and Anandibai performed Hindu rituals for washing of sins.

Legacy

The Narayan Peth area in Pune is named after Peshwa Narayanrao.