Vishwasrao

Who was Vishwasrao?

Vishwas Rao was the eldest son of the Nanasaheb Peshwa Peshwa of Pune of the Maratha Empire and also was the heir to the title of Peshwa of Maratha Empire. He was killed during the period of the most intense fighting at Third Battle of Panipat, fighting on the front lines. It is generally accepted that the third battle of Panipat, which hung in balance till his death, moved decisively in favour of the Afghans and ended up in victory of Durrani Empire.

Although Vishwas Rao was first exposed to actual warfare at Sindkheda near Hyderabad, against Nizam in 1756, he was the nominal Commander of Maratha Forces and the Peshwa's representative during Third Battle of Panipat under guidance of his uncle Sadashivrao Bhau.

At the time of the battle, the Maratha Empire was in control of about 2/3rd of present India and some parts of Pakistan. However, some historical documents/opinions suggest that the Marathas were considering abolishing the throne of Mughal Empire at Delhi of which Marathas were Protectorate and replacing Vishwas Rao as Emperor and launch offensives to remove East India Company's power from Bengal, and liberate Hindu holy shrines situated in the regions under controls of Islamic ruler, most prominently the one at Ayodhya and Kashi.