Birth & Death charts of Peshwa Bajirao I

Peshwa Bajirao I was one of the most illustrious personages of Maratha empire. Next to Chhatrapati Shivaji, he is one of the most respected, acclaimed leaders of the Maratha empire. Yet just like Chhatrapati Shivaji, the birth and death dates of Bajirao have been recorded erroneously by famous historians. Its recorded that Bajirao was born on 18th Aug 1700. I prove basis the references given by these historians themselves that this date is wrong. Its actually 29th Aug 1700. I also give his birth horoscope - probably the first time ever it has been presented by anyone. Similarly his death has been wrongly noted by some historians to be 28th April 1740. Again I correct that to 25th April 1740.

Shri Dighe gives reference of "Bharat Itihasa Samshodhak Mandal Vol XVI, No 3, Pg 72 prints a horoscope". If anyone has access to this document and this horoscope, kindly share the same with me. You can reply in comments, if you have this document.

Birth Date:

Reference 1: Book - Peshwa Bajirao I & Maratha Expansion by Shri V N Dighe

Pg 1: “Bajirao the eldest son of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat, was born on 18th August 1700”

Ref: Bharat Itihasa Samshodhak Mandal Vol XVI, No 3, Pg 72 prints a horoscope from which this year is taken

Reference 2: The following article on Kalchiron Blogspot which gives horoscopes of many Maratha stalwarts, doesn’t give date of birth, but lists the planetary positions including of Lagna

Blogpage from https://kalchiron.blogspot.com/2011/11/horoscopes-of-maratha-stalwarts.html

This gives the positions of planets in horoscope but without any date. It mentions reference of the book “Peshwa Gharanyacha Itihas” by Shri P N Oak. But this book is unavailable to purchase on whichever website I checked.

“Peshwa Bajirao Ballal (Thorle (elder) Bajirao known as "Raau")

Died - age 40

Lagna: Kanyaa

Sun: Simha (Magha)- 12th house

Chandra: Kumbha (Shatataaraka) - 6th house

Mangal: Vrishchika (anuradha)- 3rd house

Brihaspati: Makara (Shravana Nakshatra) - 5th house - Retrogade

Shani: Kumbha (Shatataaraka) - 6th house - Retrogade

Budha: Kanya (hasta) - 1st hosue - Retrogade

Shukra: Simha (Uttara-faalguni) - Retrogde

Rahu: Simha (Magha) - 12th house

Ketu: Kumbha - 6th house

Reference 3: An article titled “Astrological Biography of Peshwa Bajirao, the Great” by Shri P N Vartak. He writes

“History indicates that he was born in the region around Pune-Satara, probably at Saswad. Historical data indicates that he was born at daybreak on the full moon day of Bhadrapada month (of Hindu Lunar calendar) of Shaka 1622. Which turns out to be 18th August 1700.

Exact time of birth is required to cast a birth chart. However, history only states that he was born at daybreak on the full moon day of Bhadrapada lunar month. Accordingly this horoscope was created; but it tallies a great deal with the life of Bajirao.”

Analysis:

He was born in Shaka 1622 i.e. AD 1700-01. Bhadrapada Month, so in Aug-Sep 1700.

In that he was born on Purnima, which occurs not on 18th Aug, but on 29th Aug. Its possible that 18th Aug has been given in Julian. The Julian Date 18th Aug is the Gregorian date 29th Aug.

Following is the horoscope. And interestingly this tallies exactly with the one given by Kalchiron, which in turn is from P N Oak’s book. P N Oak has done original research so we can be sure that this is the correct date. The Lagna given is Kanya, which on this date at the place Sinnar starts from 6.47 AM, which is about an hour after sunrise (Sunrise at 5.43.36 AM).

Kanya Lagna gives one Arudha in Gemini, and Shani at death was in Gemini.

Punya tithi is Amavasya (if date is 25th April) and Rahu aspects 5H of jataka chart by rashi drsti.

Death of Bajirao:

Reference 1: Book - Peshwa Bajirao I & Maratha Expansion by Shri V N Dighe

Pg 202-203

“While encamped at Raverkhedi on the (banks of the) Narmada, he contracted a fever on 23rd April (1740). After a short illness he passed away on Monday, 28th April (Waisakh, 13th day)…”

Reference S.P.D XXII Pg 89. S.P.D stands for “Selections from the Peshwa Daftar” by G S Sardesai

In the bibliography, Dighe notes in brackets the “The dates of many of these papers require to be corrected”

“Selections from the Peshwa Daftar, Nos. 3, 1-17, 22, 28, 29, 30, 38,34,31. (The dates of many of these papers require to be corrected.).”

Reference 2: Book – New History of the Marathas by Shri G S Sardesai – Ch 8, Pg 181

“Things remained in this unsettled condition, when on Monday 28th April (1740) Bajirao expired suddenly at Raver on the south bank of the Narmada, where a small, stone terrace still preserves his memory. He was taken ill on the previous Friday with a strong fever, the first and the last ailment, which he ever suffered during life. Hopes were given up on Saturday when he fell unconscious. His wife Kashibai arrived at his death-bed with their little son Janardan. There is no mention of Mastani. Possibly Bajirao drowned his afflictions in excessive drinking. Any way his end was tragic and sudden.”

Reference 3: Book – A History of the Maratha People – Charles Kincaid & D B Parasnis

“Suddenly at Raver, as he was touring along the banks of the Narbada, he fell ill of fever. His

frame exhausted by war and labour, harassed by family quarrels and disappointed passion, was unable to resist the attacks of disease. On the 25th April he passed away at the age of forty-two in the presence of his younger son Janardhanpant and his faithful and forgiving wife Kashibai.

The news reached Balaji at Kolaba and he and Chimnaji Appa were present at the funeral eremonies. With them went Mastani. Separated from her lover in this world, she passed fearlessly through the flames to greet him in the next. Kashibai survived her husband for many years.”

Analysis:

The various parameters given are

Monday, Vaishakh-13th day i.e. 13th day after the sun has transited to Vaisakh. Its also mentioned that he fell sick 4 days earlier on Friday and fell unconscious on Saturday.

Now 28th April is not a Monday – its Thursday.

Rather 25th April is Monday and this is the date given by Kincaid, Parasnis.

Neither dates are 13th Vaishakh, though 25th April could 14th or 15th Vaishakh. 28th April is much farther away.

28th April is Amavasya, tithi ruled by Rahu and Rahu aspects 5H of jataka chart, assuming Kanya Lagna.

Following is the chart, assuming time is 12 pm. But we don’t know the time of death.

A8 of jataka is in Gemini – now the month of death can be trines to Gemini or trines to Sag, if Sag is stronger to kill than Gem. Sag lord Jup is vakri neecha in 6H. Sun+Rah combination is also impacting Jup, while Mer is exalted. So we can say Sag is more evil. So Sun will be in trines to Sag at time of death – it was in Aries.