Narayanrao Peshwa (1755–1773) was fifth Peshwa or ruler of the Maratha Empire from November 1772 till his death by murder in August 1773.
Narayanrao was the third son of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (or Nanasaheb) and Gopikabai. Narayanrao was born on 11 August 1755. His elder brother Vishwasrao had died in the Third Battle of Panipat and the second brother Madhavrao succeeded his father after his death. Narayanrao was made diwan of Peshwa from 1770. Madhavrao knew that it would be difficult for Narayan to work as Peshwa in presence of Raghunathrao.
Madhavrao I died in 1772 and was succeeded by seventeen year old Narayanrao with his uncle Raghunathrao acting as regent. It was decided between Narayanrao & Raghunathrao to work together but differences arose soon. Narayanrao was very immature & angry. His uncle Raghunathrao & aunt Anandibai was very upset because Narayanrao became Peshwa. Narayanrao & Raghunathrao were surrounded by ill-advised people poisoned their minds against each other. Due to all such reasons Narayanrao confined Raghunathrao to home.
During the Ganesh Festival of 1773 (actual date is 30th August 1773 and it was the last day of Ganesh Festival i.e. Anant Chaturdashi) several Gardi guards, led by their captain, Sumer Singh Gardi, asked Narayanrao to step down. Raghunathrao and his wife Anandibai, who were opposed to Narayanrao, promised the Gardis that they would mediate in their dispute with Narayanrao. The Gardis requested that Narayanrao accompany them to meet Raghunathrao and solve the dispute. In a heated argument at the palace fort of Shaniwarwada, Narayanrao was killed in a skirmish as the Gardis tried forcefully to take him.
According to popular legend, Raghunathrao had sent a message to Sumer Singh Gardi to fetch Narayanrao using the Marathi word dharaa (धरा) or 'hold'. This message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai who changed a single letter to make it read as maaraa (मारा) or 'kill'. The miscommunication led to the Gardis killing him in the presence of Raghunathrao.
This act brought ill fame to the Peshwa administration, now being looked after by the minister Nana Phadnavis. The Chief Justice of the administration, Ram Shastri Prabhune was asked to conduct an investigation into the incident, and Raghunathrao, Anandibai and Sumer Singh Gardi were all prosecuted in absentia. Although Raghunathrao was acquitted, Anandibai was declared an offender and Sumer Singh Gardi the culprit. Sumer Singh Gardi died mysteriously at Patna in Bihar in 1775, and Anandibai performed Hindu rituals for washing of sins.
The Narayan Peth area in Pune is named after Peshwa Narayanrao.
| Preceded by Madhavrao I |
Peshwa 1772–1773 |
Succeeded by Raghunathrao |
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