Pilajirao Gaekwad was an Indian general. He is considered to be the founder of the Gaekwad

Gaekwad

The Gaekwad or Gaikwad was a Maratha dynasty that ruled the princely state of Baroda in western India from the mid-18th century until 1947...

 dynasty, who became Maharaja of Baroda State

Baroda State

Baroda State was an Indian princely state in present-day Gujarat, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from its formation in 1721 until 1947 when it succeed to newly formed, India. With the city of Baroda as its capital, during the British Raj it was part of the Baroda Residency...

.

He was the eldest son of Jhingojirao Kerojirao Gaekwad. He established himself at the fortress of Sonagad in 1726. He was appointed by the 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...

, effective ruler of the Maratha Empire

Maratha Empire

The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....

, to collect revenues from the territories in Gujarat.

He set about carving out a kingdom out of territories where he had been responsible for collecting the revenues on behalf of the 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...

. He was granted the title of Sena Khas Khel by the Peshwa.

He was succeeded by his son Damajirao.

External links

• Genealogy of princely states of Baroda at Queensland University