Understanding Nana Sahib's Paternity

The question asks about the biological or adopted father of Nana Sahib, a prominent figure in the 1857 rebellion at Kanpur, and his connection to the Peshwa lineage.

Nana Sahib, whose birth name was Dhondu Pant, played a significant role in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, particularly in the events that unfolded at Kanpur. To understand his leadership role, it's important to know his background and his relationship with the Maratha Peshwas.

Nana Sahib was not the biological son of a Peshwa. He was adopted.

Let's examine the options provided:

• Baji Rao I: Baji Rao I was a formidable Peshwa of the Maratha Empire who lived in the early to mid-18th century (1700-1740). He was the father of Balaji Baji Rao. Nana Sahib lived much later, in the 19th century.
• Balaji Baji Rao: Also known as Nana Saheb Peshwa, he was the son of Baji Rao I and the Peshwa from 1740 to 1761. He led the Marathas during the Third Battle of Panipat. Again, he lived before Nana Sahib's time.
• Baji Rao II: Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1795 to 1818. After his defeat by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, he was exiled to Bithoor near Kanpur, on a pension. It was Baji Rao II who adopted Nana Sahib.
• Balaji Vishwanath: He was the first Peshwa appointed by Shahu, the Maratha ruler. He lived from 1660 to 1720 and was the father of Baji Rao I. He predates Nana Sahib significantly.

Therefore, Nana Sahib was the adopted son of Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa. After Baji Rao II's death, the British refused to continue his pension to Nana Sahib, which became a major grievance and a reason for Nana Sahib's involvement in the 1857 rebellion at Kanpur.

The connection to Peshwa Baji Rao II was crucial for Nana Sahib, providing him with a claim to status and also fueling his resentment towards the British when the pension was stopped. His leadership at Kanpur during the 1857 uprising was a direct consequence of these factors.

Revision Table: Nana Sahib and 1857 Connections

Additional Information: The Peshwas and Maratha Power

The Peshwas were originally prime ministers to the Maratha Chhatrapatis (kings). Over time, they became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire, establishing their own dynasty (the Bhat family).

• Balaji Vishwanath Bhat is considered the first of the prominent Peshwas who expanded Maratha influence significantly.
• His son, Baji Rao I, was known for his military campaigns and expansionist policies.
• Baji Rao I's son, Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb), continued the expansion but suffered a major defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
• After Balaji Baji Rao, the power of the Peshwas began to decline due to internal conflicts and external pressures.
• Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa, his reign marked by increasing British influence and eventual defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818), which led to the end of the Peshwa rule and his exile.

Nana Sahib's adoption into this lineage connected him to a powerful, although declining, historical force and positioned him as a potential leader against the British.