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. Raghunathrao was born in Mahuli near Satara on 1 August 1734. Much of his childhood was spent in Satara.
In his early years he fought with great success in the north. His first expedition during 1753–1755 was concluded by an advantageous treaty with Jat. In his second expedition he expanded the Maratha Empire to Peshawar (now in Pakistan) until 1760. He is favorably remembered by Hindus for the fact that during that expedition he brought an end to Muslim rule at Hindu religious places such as Mathura, Vrindavan, Gaya, Kurukshetra. Raghunathrao imprisoned Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur and made Alamgir II Emperor in his place.
Ahmad Shah Durrani (of present day Afghanistan) approached Punjab in 1760 and defeated Dattaji Shinde in battle of Burari Ghat near modern day Delhi, dattaji was also killed in battle.To counter this Raghunathrao was supposed to go north to handle the situation. Raghunathrao asked for large amount and an army, which was denied by Sadashivrao Bhau who was Diwan of Peshwa, so he declined to go. Sadashivrao Bhau was there upon made commander in chief of the Maratha Army,under whom the Battle of Panipat was fought.
After the maratha defeat at Third Battle of Panipat and his brother's death in 1761, Raghunathrao had decided to seize the Peshwa throne for himself, but instead the throne was passed on to Madhavrao II, son of Nanasaheb.
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