Anandibai is infamous in Maratha history for successfully plotting the death of her nephew - the 13 year old king (or Peshwa) Narayanrao. Her husband Raghunathrao was acting regent and next in line for the throne, at the time of Narayanrao's death.
Contents |
Anandibai was the daughter of Raghu Mahadevo Oake (of Guhgarh).[1] She married Raghunath in December 1756.[2] She was his second wife. Raghunathrao's first wife (Janakidevi of the Barwe family) had died in August 1755. Her cousin Gopikabai was married to her brother in law and heir apparent Balaji Bajirao. After Balaji Bajirao became Peshwa the differences between her and Gopikabai intensified.
After the death of Madhavrao I in 1772, his brother Narayanrao 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 in Shaniwar Wada,[3] in an effort to free Raghunathrao, hired Gardis 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 legend, Anandibai reworded the letter of Raghunathrao, initially bearing the words Narayanrao la dhara (capture Narayanrao) to Narayanrao la mara (kill Narayanrao). This finally led to the death of Narayanrao.[3]
After Narayanrao's death, Raghunathrao became Peshwa but Nana Phadanvis ordered an investigation into the death of Narayanrao. The Chief Justice(Mukhya 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. Radhunathrao 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 baby Madhavrao II, born to Narayanrao's widow, Gangabai 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 to Bajirao 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 - two sons who were minors and an illegitimate son of mature age - Jaysingh (or Jaysin) by the concubine Radha.[8] She was not happy with the influence of Jaysingh on Bajirao who was crowned regent so she plotted his destruction. Jaysingh came to know of this and executed her chief advisors. She in turn assembled troops and attacked the Kolaba Fort and imprisoned Jaysingh there. After four months in prison, he escaped, gathered supporters and besieged Hirakot. Again Anandibai led her troops against him and defeated him. Thereafter he fled to Poona but returned and served Anandibai with a resounding defeat.[9] She along with her son fled to Mahad where she died on 12 March 1794.[10]