| Shrimant Anandibai Saheb Peshwa | |
|---|---|
| ''Peshwin'' | |
| Born | 25 February 1742Guhagar,Maratha Empire |
| Died | 1794 |
| Spouse | Raghunathrao |
| Issue | Baji Rao II and 2 others |
| House | Oak (by birth) Bhat (by marriage) |
| Father | Raghu Mahadev Oak |
Anandibai was aPeshwa, the second wife ofRaghunathrao, the 11th Peshwa of theMaratha Empire. In August 1773, she successfully plotted the death of her nephew, the 17-year-old PeshwaNarayanrao. Her husband was acting regent at the time and next in line for the throne, at the time of Narayanrao's death.
Anandibai was born into aChitpavan Brahmin family belonging toGuhagar village in theKonkan region of what is nowMaharashtra state. She was the daughter of Raghu Mahadev Oak.[1] Her cousinGopikabai (of the Raste family), was the wife of PeshwaBalaji Bajirao. In December 1756, when Anandibai was yet a child, she was married toRaghunath Rao, younger brother ofBalaji Baji Rao.[2] She was his second wife. Raghunathrao's first wife (Janaki Bai of the Barwe family) had died in August 1755.
Both Balaji and Raghunath were the sons ofBaji Rao I,Peshwa of theMaratha Empire. The position of Peshwa was an administrative appointment made by the Chhatrapati (King), and it was not actually hereditary. Indeed, Baji Rao I was only the second man from his family to be named Peshwa.
After the death ofMadhavrao I in 1772, his brotherNarayanrao 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 inShaniwar Wada,[3] in an effort to free himself, Raghunathrao hiredGardis 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 popular legend, Raghunathrao had sent a message to Sumer Singh Gardi to fetch Narayanrao using the Marathi worddharaa (धरा) or 'hold' (actual phrase in Marathi - " नारायणरावांना धरा"/"Narayanrao-ana dhara"). This message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai who changed a single letter to make it read asmaaraa (मारा) or 'kill' . The miscommunication led the Gardis to chase Narayanrao, who, upon hearing them coming, started running towards his uncles' residence screaming, "Kaka! Mala Vachva!!" ("Uncle! Save me!"). But nobody came to help him and he was killed in the presence of his uncle.[3]
After Narayanrao's death, Raghunathrao became Peshwa butNana Phadanvis ordered an investigation into the death of Narayanrao. The Chief Justice, (orMukhya Nyayadhish) of the Marathas,Ram Shastri Prabhune, 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. Raghunathrao 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.[4][5]
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 babyMadhavrao II, born to Narayanrao's widow, Gangabai (Sathe) after his death, was put on the throne, effectively putting the power in the hands of Nana Phadanvis.
As she and her husband were fleeing from the forces of Nana Phadanvis, she gave birth toBajirao II on 10 January 1775 in the Dhar fort, under the control of the Pawars.[6]
On 11 December 1783, her husband, Raghunathrao died,[7] leaving behind three sons.
