WebLibNetRaghunath Rao
Raghunathrao, also known as Ragho Ballal or Raghoba Dada (18 August 1734 – 11 December 1783), was the younger son of Peshwa Bajirao I who served as the 11th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire for a brief period from 1773 to 1774. He led successful campaigns in Northern India against the Rohillas in the Battle of Delhi (1757), resulting in the Marathas becoming the de-facto rulers of Delhi with Mughal Emperor Alamgir II having no actual power. He also led successful campaigns against the Durrani Empire at Sirhind and Attock and brought Northwestern India and modern day parts of Pakistan mainly Punjab till Peshawar under Maratha rule (1758-59) for a brief period.
Ahmad Shah Abdali sought revenge against the Marathas for capturing Punjab and defeating the Durrani armies. He made preparations for another campaign in India. Raghoba asked for a large financial assistance in order to check Abdali's advance which was refused by Peshwa Nana Saheb. Nana Saheb's decision of not sending Raghoba as the main commander of Maratha armies against Ahmad Shah Abdali along with other factors ultimately culminated in the defeat at Panipat.
After the death of Nana Saheb, his son Madhavrao I became the new Peshwa under the regency of Raghoba. The untimely death of Madhavrao I created a vacuum for the post of Peshwa. Raghoba wanted to become Peshwa but was opposed by many of the Maratha nobles who saw Madhavrao I's younger brother Narayan Rao as the legitimate Peshwa. Raghoba aiming to seize position of Peshwa for himself assassinated his nephew Peshwa Narayan Rao in 1773. However his reign was short lived as Narayan Rao's infant son Sawai Madhavrao was recognized as the legitimate Peshwa by the Maratha nobles in 1774. Due to his removal from the position of Peshwa, Raghunath Rao sided with the East India Company in the First Anglo-Maratha War. His attempt was foiled as Marathas defeated the company in that war. He later died of an unknown reason in 1783 at Kopargaon. Provided by Wikipedia
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