Sadashivrao Bhau - Birth and Early Years

Birth and Early Years

Sadashivrao, born in Saswad near Pune, was the son of Baji Rao's brother Chimaji Appa. His mother Rakhmabai died when he was barely a month old.His father died when he was 10. He was cared by his grandmother Radhabai his aunt Kashibai. He was very bright from early years. He was educated in Satara. His tutor was shrewd Ramchandrababa Shenvi. Though Nanasaheb became Peshwa, he stayed in Satara.

His first military achievement was in 1760 in Carnatic region, with Mahadjipant Purandare and Sakharam Bappu as his political advisers. He had conquered from the Nawab of Savanur and subsequently annexed the cities of Kittur, Parasgad, Gokak, Yadwad, Bagalkot, Badami, Navalgund, Umbal, Giri, Torgal, Haliyal, Harihar and basavapatna. He crushed the revolt of Yamaji Shivdev.

During those period Mahadjipant Purandare was Diwan of Peshwa. Bhausaheb was Diwan of Bhosale of Nagpur. After the death of Shahu, Ramchandrababa Shenvi suggested to Bhau to take Peshwai of Kolhapur, but Nanasaheb Peshwa opposed this idea. Mahadjipant Purandare resigned and Sadashivrao became Diwan of Peshwa.

He successfully led the Battle of Udgir, which weakened the Nizam of Hyderabad. He won the fort of Daulatabad. The news of Ahmad Shah Durrani's march and the subsequent death of Dattaji Scindia at the battle of Burari Ghat had arrived, so he was called back from Udgir to Partur where the Council of war was held. It was decided that Sadashivrao would go north to resist Afghans.