Anandibai
Encyclopedia
Anandibai is infamous in Maratha
history for successfully plotting the death of her nephew - the 13 year old king (or Peshwa
) Narayanrao
. Her husband Raghunathrao
was acting regent and next in line for the throne, at the time of Narayanrao's death.
was married to her brother in law and heir apparent Balaji Bajirao. After Balaji Bajirao became Peshwa the differences between her and Gopikabai intensified.
After the death of Madhavrao I in 1772, his brother Narayanrao
was to take the throne but he was still a minor. There was debate among the Peshwas about who should become the next regent. Finally it was decided that Narayanrao would be the peshwa with his uncle Raghunathrao acting as regent. Initially this arrangement worked but soon Narayanrao imprisoned his uncle on charges of plotting to overthrow him.
On 30 August 1773 in Shaniwar Wada
, in an effort to free Raghunathrao, hired Gardi
s as mercenaries. These men scaled and captured Shaniwar Wada. They quickly reached Narayanrao's chambers and held him captive. Narayanrao tried to appeal to his uncle but Anandibai intervened and did not allow his requests to reach Raghunathrao.
According to legend, Anandibai reworded the letter of Raghunathrao, initially bearing the words Narayanrao la dhara (capture Narayanrao) to Narayanrao la mara (kill Narayanrao). This finally led to the death of Narayanrao.
found Anandibai and Raghunathrao guilty of murder. A part of the letter of Raghunathrao's order to the Gardis was examined by Ram Shastri who determined that the initial order "restrain him" (tyaala dharun aana) had been changed to "kill him" (tyaala marun aana) - a difference of only one letter in the Marathi language. Radhunathrao swore that he had not ordered the murder of his nephew. It was widely believed in the palace that the author of this change was Anandibai herself.
Anandibai's husband was overthrown by Nana Phadanvis and 12 others in the Barabhai conspiracy. The result of this was that the one-year-old baby Madhavrao II
, born to Narayanrao's widow, Gangabai after his death, was put on the throne, effectively putting the power in the hands of Nana Phadanvis.
On 11 December, 1783, her husband, Raghunathrao died leaving behind three sons - two sons who were minors and an illegitimate son of mature age - Jaysingh (or Jaysin) by the concubine Radha. She was not happy with the influence of Jaysingh on Bajirao who was crowned regent so she plotted his destruction. Jaysingh came to know of this and executed her chief advisors. She in turn assembled troops and attacked the Kolaba Fort
and imprisoned Jaysingh there. After four months in prison, he escaped, gathered supporters and besieged Hirakot. Again Anandibai led her troops against him and defeated him. Thereafter he fled to Poona but returned and served Anandibai with a resounding defeat. She along with her son fled to Mahad
where she died on 12 March 1794.
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
history for successfully plotting the death of her nephew - the 13 year old king (or Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
) Narayanrao
Narayanrao Peshwa
Narayanrao Peshwa was fifth Peshwa or ruler of the Maratha Empire from November 1772 till his death by murder in August 1773.-Early life and ascendancy to Peshwa:...
. Her husband Raghunathrao
Raghunathrao
Raghunathrao was Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy from 1773 to 1774. He was instrumental in the downfall of the Peshwa clan.-Early life:Raghunathrao, also known as "Raghoba" and "Ragho Bharari," was the younger brother of Nanasaheb Peshwa. His father was Peshwa Bajirao I & mother was Kashibai....
was acting regent and next in line for the throne, at the time of Narayanrao's death.
Early life and Marriage
Anandibai was the daughter of Raghu Mahadevo Oake (of Guhgarh). She married Raghunath in December 1756. She was his second wife. Raghunathrao's first wife (Janakidevi of the Barwe family) had died in August 1755. Her cousin GopikabaiGopikabai
Gopikabai was the daughter of Bhikaji Naik Raste of Wai, near Pune.- Childhood:Gopikabai was noticed by Radhabai, the mother of Peshwa Baji Rao I during her visit to the Raste family...
was married to her brother in law and heir apparent Balaji Bajirao. After Balaji Bajirao became Peshwa the differences between her and Gopikabai intensified.
Murder of Narayanrao
Narayanrao Peshwa
Narayanrao Peshwa was fifth Peshwa or ruler of the Maratha Empire from November 1772 till his death by murder in August 1773.-Early life and ascendancy to Peshwa:...
was to take the throne but he was still a minor. There was debate among the Peshwas about who should become the next regent. Finally it was decided that Narayanrao would be the peshwa with his uncle Raghunathrao acting as regent. Initially this arrangement worked but soon Narayanrao imprisoned his uncle on charges of plotting to overthrow him.
On 30 August 1773 in Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwarwada is a palace fort in the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. Built in 1736, it was the seat of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire until 1818 when the Peshwas surrendered to the British...
, in an effort to free Raghunathrao, hired Gardi
Gardi
Gardis are a sub-caste of the Bhil community of the Deccan Plateau in India.-About the Gardi:The Gardi is Daniel Gardel Gómez community essentially was a hunting tribe. Gardis originally were members of the Bhil community who worked for the local tribal chiefs as personal guards in their private...
s as mercenaries. These men scaled and captured Shaniwar Wada. They quickly reached Narayanrao's chambers and held him captive. Narayanrao tried to appeal to his uncle but Anandibai intervened and did not allow his requests to reach Raghunathrao.
According to legend, Anandibai reworded the letter of Raghunathrao, initially bearing the words Narayanrao la dhara (capture Narayanrao) to Narayanrao la mara (kill Narayanrao). This finally led to the death of Narayanrao.
Aftermath
After Narayanrao's death, Raghunathrao became Peshwa but Nana Phadanvis ordered an investigation into the death of Narayanrao. The Chief Justice(Mukhya Nyayadhish) of the Marathas - Ram Shastri PrabhuneRam Shastri
Ram Shastri Prabhune was the Chief Justice in the apex court of the Maratha Empire in the latter half of the 18th century, during the heyday of that empire. He is best remembered for having passed strictures against the sitting Peshwa of the time for instigating murder...
found Anandibai and Raghunathrao guilty of murder. A part of the letter of Raghunathrao's order to the Gardis was examined by Ram Shastri who determined that the initial order "restrain him" (tyaala dharun aana) had been changed to "kill him" (tyaala marun aana) - a difference of only one letter in the Marathi language. Radhunathrao swore that he had not ordered the murder of his nephew. It was widely believed in the palace that the author of this change was Anandibai herself.
Anandibai's husband was overthrown by Nana Phadanvis and 12 others in the Barabhai conspiracy. The result of this was that the one-year-old baby Madhavrao II
Madhavrao II
Madhavrao II , also Madhu Rao Narayan, was Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in India, from a young age. He was known as Sawai Madhavrao...
, born to Narayanrao's widow, Gangabai after his death, was put on the throne, effectively putting the power in the hands of Nana Phadanvis.
Later life
As she and her husband were fleeing from the forces of Nana Phadanvis, she gave birth to Bajirao II on 10 January 1775 in the Dhar fort, under the control of the Pawars.On 11 December, 1783, her husband, Raghunathrao died leaving behind three sons - two sons who were minors and an illegitimate son of mature age - Jaysingh (or Jaysin) by the concubine Radha. She was not happy with the influence of Jaysingh on Bajirao who was crowned regent so she plotted his destruction. Jaysingh came to know of this and executed her chief advisors. She in turn assembled troops and attacked the Kolaba Fort
Kolaba Fort
Kolaba Fort is an old military fortification in India. It is situated in the sea at a distance of 1–2 km from the shores of Alibag, 35 km south of Mumbai, in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India...
and imprisoned Jaysingh there. After four months in prison, he escaped, gathered supporters and besieged Hirakot. Again Anandibai led her troops against him and defeated him. Thereafter he fled to Poona but returned and served Anandibai with a resounding defeat. She along with her son fled to Mahad
Mahad
Mahad is a city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated about 175 km to the south of Mumbai . It has become the center of attraction because of its beautiful surroundings and pleasant climate. Mahad has a personality of its own due to its...
where she died on 12 March 1794.
See also
- GopikabaiGopikabaiGopikabai was the daughter of Bhikaji Naik Raste of Wai, near Pune.- Childhood:Gopikabai was noticed by Radhabai, the mother of Peshwa Baji Rao I during her visit to the Raste family...
(cousin of Anandibai) - RadhikabaiRadhikabaiRadhikabai was the daughter of Sardar Gupte of Nashik, Maharashtra, India, a Tipnis of Baji Rao I and later Raghunathrao. She was the niece of Parvatibai, wife of Sadashivrao Bhau, and was emotionally attached to her...
- KashibaiKashibaiKashibai sadashiv was the daughter of Parvatibai and Sadashivrao Bhau, Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha forces, in the ill-fated Maratha campaign against Durrani forces led by Ahmed Shah Abdali. Her name ceremony took place on Chhatrapati Shahu’s lap...
- ParvatibaiParvatibaiParvatibai was second wife of Sadashivrao Bhau. She was from Kolhatkar family of Pen.- Family Life:...