Kashibai, also spelled “Kaashi,” has been described as a woman of unusual courage. She was the daughter of Mahadji Krishna Joshi, Shiubai. Kashibai real photo is available on Google Image. Kashibai married Baji Rao I. She bore him two sons, Balaji Baji Rao and Madhavrao Baji Rao. She was Bajirao’s principal queen and did not have the reputation of being a great beauty like his other queens.
Kashibai was born in the village of Vedganga, which is near Pune (which was renamed from Shaniwar to Pune after her death). Mahadji Krishna Joshi, Kashibai’s father died when she was only 8 years old. He was killed by Sakharam Bapu, an agitator against the government of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath during that time. Kashibai was married to Baji Rao I in 1776 against the wishes of several nobles and samurai whose daughters were also vying for his hand.
When her husband Baji Rao I became Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, Kashibai began to wield considerable influence in state affairs. She is known to have used her position as first lady (Rajmata) to mediate between her feuding sons, Balaji Baji Rao and Madhavrao Baji Rao. She eventually succeeded in getting her younger son Madhavrao recognized as heir apparent, who would later become the next Peshwa after his father’s death in 1800.
Unbelievable Facts About Kashibai :
1. She was a woman of considerable courage :
Kashibai’s father was killed by one of the enemies of the then peshwa Balaji Vishwanath. The valana (funeral) for her father was done according to the time-honored Maratha traditions and rituals. Once after this event, she requested Balaji Vishwanath to have an idol of Ganapati installed in her house, since it was considered inauspicious for a widow to stay alone in her house (after she lost her father). This would ensure that she had the protection and security of the Ganapati idol. Balaji Vishwanath agreed to her request immediately and ordered an idol of Ganapati to be installed in her house.
2. She was known for her shrewdness and intelligence :
Balaji Vishwanath had no children at this point, so Kashibai became Balaji’s first wife in 1776, despite the objection of several nobles and samurai whose daughters were also vying for his hand. Soon after, Kashibai gave birth to two sons – Balaji Baji Rao and Madhavrao Bajirao. Both were destined to play key roles in the future of the Maratha empire. With no children of her own, Kashibai took keen interest in the upbringing of the two boys.
She is known to have used her position as first lady (Rajmata) to mediate between her feuding sons, Balaji Baji Rao and Madhavrao Baji Rao. She eventually succeeded in getting her younger son Madhavrao recognized as heir apparent, who would later become the next Peshwa after his father’s death in 1800.
3. Kashibai’s role as Rajmata :
Kashibai was recognized as the Rajmata (queen-mother) of the Maratha empire due to her extensive efforts in protecting the interests of her children. Her responsibilities involved being a mother to the younger son when he was recognized as heir-apparent.
She was also a mother figure to her stepson, Shahu. The charges laid against him by Balaji Baji Rao’s supporters had deeply hurt him and she cared for him during this time. Kashibai had much more influence over Bajirao II than many other Peshwas’ consorts (wives). This was due to her being a mother of a potential successor, and the first wife of the Peshwa.
4. She had a role in Baji Rao II’s accession to power :
Baji Rao II (1775-1851) who succeeded his father as the next Peshwa, when he was only in his early twenties. The charges laid against him by Balaji Baji Rao’s supporters had deeply hurt him and Kashibai cared for him during this time. She also had much more influence over Bajirao II than many other Peshwas’ consorts (wives). This was due to her being a mother of a potential successor, and the first wife of the Peshwa. Although she did not have any legal privileges as a queen mother, she wielded considerable political power.
5. She was capable of displaying some considerable ruthlessness :
Kashibai is known to have exercised her power by sending the youngest son Madhavrao to Moongur, an out-post near Pune: It was there that Madhavrao suffered from malaria, and Kashibai used this opportunity to isolate him from the influence of his other brothers so that Baji Rao II would be accepted as a potential successor. “Her favorite residence during this period was the massive Shaniwarwada fort at Pune, where she spent more time than she did at Mankapur. It was rumored that she was in a very poor physical state after this pregnancy, and when Shamsher’s actual father Baji Rao II came to know of this, he ordered him to be poisoned to death.
