Moropant Trimbak Pingale | |
|---|---|
 1stPeshwa of theMarathas | |
| In office 6 June 1674–1683 | |
| Monarchs | Shivaji,Sambhaji |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Moreshvar Pingale |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1620 |
| Died | 1683 |
| Children |
|
| Parent |
|
| House | Pingale |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars |
|
Moropant Trimbak Pingale (1620–1683), was a Maratha military commander who also served as the firstPeshwa of theMaratha Empire during the reign ofChhatrapati Shivaji as a member ofAshta Pradhan (Council of Eight Ministers).[1]
Moropant Trimbak Pingle was born to aDeshastha Brahmin family[2] in 1620 Nimgaon. In 1647, he joinedChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in establishing theMaratha Empire.
He was one of thewarriors who participated in the successful1659 battle of Shivaji Maharaj's forces against the forces ofBijapur'sAdil Shah which immediately followed Adil Shah's generalAfzalkhān's death at Jāwali. He also participated in the battles at Trimbakeshwar Fort and Wāni-Dindori against theMughal Empire. He participated in Shivaji's invasion ofSurat in 1664. He also participated in the Battle of Salher. Moropant surrounded and attacked the 25,000 strong Mughal infantry at Salher with his 20,000 infantry. Prominent Maratha Sardar and Shivaji's childhood friend Suryaji Kakde was killed by a Zamburak cannon in the battle. Chhatrapati Sambhaji son of Shivaji stayed with Moropant's relatives in Mathura after their escape fromAgra.[citation needed].Moropant introduced sound revenue administration toShivaji's regime, and played an important role in resource planning concerning defenses and maintenance of strategic forts. He was also responsible for the construction and administration ofPratapgad. At Chhatrapati Shivaji's death, Moropant Pingale was working as a supervisor of fort development activities inNashik District for the Salher-Mulher forts.[citation needed] Under Shivaji Maharaj's successor,Chhatrapati Sambhaji, he also participated in the battle ofBurhanpur in 1681 which resulted in the sacking of the importantMughal trade centre of Burhanpur. He was killed during an ambush byMughal forces in 1683.
