Neeharikareddyiasacademy at 09:03, 26 March 2026

2026-03-26T09:03:58Z

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{{short description|Maratha noble}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Amrut Rao
| image = 
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = mr
| birth_date = c. 1770
| birth_place =
| death_date = 6 September 1824
| death_place = Secrole, [[Varanasi District]], [[Company rule in India|Company India]]
| known_for = Titular [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Confederacy]] in 1803,
First Maharaja of Karwi
| children = Vinayak Rao
| parents =
| mother = [[Anandibai]] (adoptive)
| father = [[Raghunathrao]] (adoptive)
}}
'''Amrut Rao''' (c. 1770 – 6 September 1824) was a [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] noble and the adopted son of [[Raghunath Rao|Raghunathrao]]. In 1803, [[Yashwant Rao Holkar]] invaded [[Pune]] and deposed his adoptive brother, Peshwa [[Baji Rao II]]. Following this, Holkar established an ad hoc council nominally headed by Amrut Rao and administered the Peshwa government in his name.

Yashwant Rao Holkar also installed Amrut Rao's son, Vinayak Rao, as Peshwa to strengthen the legal legitimacy of his administration, as Vinayak Rao had been adopted by the widow of the deceased Peshwa [[Madhav Rao II|Madhavrao II]]. However, Baji Rao II sought assistance from the [[British East India Company]], whose advance forced Amrut Rao and his son to flee Pune.

Subsequently, Amrut Rao signed a treaty with the British, agreeing to relinquish all claims to the Peshwa's office in exchange for a pension and an estate in the [[Bundelkhand Agency|Bundelkhand]] region.

== Early life ==
Amrut Rao was born around 1770. He was adopted by [[Raghunath Rao|Raghunathrao]], who served as the 11th [[Peshwa]] and allied with the [[British East India Company]] in 1775. However, the British later signed the [[Treaty of Salbai]] (1782) with Raghunathrao's rivals among the Marathas, recognizing [[Madhav Rao II|Madhavrao II]] as the Peshwa. Raghunath Rao died a year later in 1783, and his family was placed in confinement by the minister [[Nana Fadnavis]]. His wife Anandi Bai, sons [[Baji Rao II]] and Chimaji Rao II, and adopted son Amrut Rao were all imprisoned at [[Kopargaon]] until 1793. Subsequently, they were moved to Anandwali near [[Nashik]]. Later in April 1794, they were confined to [[Shivneri|Shivneri Fort]].

After the death of Madhavrao II, Nana Fadnavis and powerful nobleman [[Daulat Rao Scindia]] installed Amrut Rao's adoptive brothers—first Chimaji Rao and then Baji Rao II—as titular Peshwas in quick succession.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TyELAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA22
|title=The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China, and Australia, Volume 10 |publisher=Parbury, Allen, and Company |year=1833 |page=22 }}</ref> After Fadnavis' death, Daulat Rao Scindia held the actual power, while Baji Rao II remained a puppet Peshwa.<ref name="RM_2013">{{cite book |author=Rory Muir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tc4_AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA107 |title=Wellington: The Path to Victory 1769-1814 |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2013 |isbn=9780300186659 |pages=107–125}}</ref>

==Conflict with Daulat Rao Scindia==

The widows of Daulat Rao Scindia's predecessor, [[Mahadji Scindia]], struggled with Amrut Rao for control of the Scindia court.<ref name="RSC_2004">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D_v3Y7hns8QC&pg=PA14
|title=History of the Marathas |author=R.S. Chaurasia |publisher=Atlantic |year=2004 |isbn=9788126903948 |pages=39–40 }}</ref> In 1798, Scindia decided to transfer the widows to [[Ahmednagar]] and keep them in confinement there. However, Muzaffar Khan, an officer loyal to the widows, rescued them near [[Koregaon Bhima]] while Scindia's men were escorting them to Ahmednagar. Khan brought the widows to Amrut Rao, who happened to be nearby, and Amrut Rao granted them protection.<ref name="JGD_1826">{{cite book |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/britishraj/Duff3/chapter09.html
|title=A History of the Mahrattas |volume=III |author=James Grant Duff |chapter=Chapter IX – From 1798 to 1800 |date=1826 |pages=162–179 }}</ref>

On the night of 7 June 1798, Scindia sent five infantry battalions under the command of a French officer, Captain Du Prat, to retrieve the widows. However, Amrut Rao's forces repelled Scindia's troops. Scindia then initiated negotiations, offering the widows the choice of their residence. Amrut Rao arrived near [[Pune]] to meet Scindia on their behalf and set up camp on the banks of the [[Mula River (India)|Mula River]], near the [[Khadki]] bridge. Scindia's father-in-law and general, Sarji Rao Ghatge (also known as Sarjerao), led two battalions to the riverside under the pretext of maintaining order during the local [[Mourning of Muharram|Muharram]] procession. However, his men opened fire on Amrut Rao's camp with 25 [[cannon]]s. As Amrut Rao's troops dispersed, Ghatge's forces attacked and plundered the camp. The widows subsequently fled to [[Kolhapur State|Kolhapur]].<ref name="JGD_1826" />

==Holkar's occupation of Pune==

On 25 October 1802, [[Yashwant Rao Holkar]], a rival noble of Daulat Rao Scindia, invaded Pune and defeated the joint forces of Scindia and Peshwa Baji Rao II in the [[Battle of Hadapsar]].<ref name="RM_2013"/> After taking control of Pune, Holkar decided to install a titular Peshwa. Although the office of Peshwa no longer held actual power, removing the Peshwa entirely would have faced opposition from other Maratha nobles. Holkar therefore summoned Baji Rao II's brother, Amrut Rao, who was in [[Junnar]]. Amrut Rao arrived in Pune with his son Vinayak Rao, who had been adopted by Yasoda Bai, the widow of Baji Rao II's predecessor, [[Madhav Rao II|Madhavrao II]].<ref name="JLM_2005">{{cite book |author=Jaswant Lal Mehta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA618 |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813 |publisher=Sterling |year=2005 |isbn=9781932705546 |page=618}}</ref>

Holkar established an ad hoc council headed by Amrut Rao and administered the Peshwa's government in his name.<ref name="AW_1877">{{cite book |author=Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gskNAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA218 |title=A Selection from the Despatches, Treaties, and Other Papers of the Marquess Wellesley, K.G., During His Government of India |publisher=Clarendon |year=1877 |page=218}}</ref> He also attempted to legitimize his government by appointing Vinayak Rao as the new Peshwa.<ref name="JLM_2005"/>

On 13 March 1803, Holkar left Pune, leaving Amrut Rao with 1,000 soldiers.<ref name="NS_1983">{{cite book |author=Narindar Saroop |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AjKURHnitt8C&pg=PA40 |title=Gardner of Gardner's Horse, 2nd Lancers, Indian Army |publisher=Palit & Palit Abhinav |year=1983 |pages=40–43}}</ref> Meanwhile, Baji Rao II had fled to [[Vasai]] and sought assistance from the British. Holkar and Amrut Rao unsuccessfully attempted to gain British support for their government.<ref name="AW_1877"/> However, the British signed the [[Treaty of Bassein (1802)|Treaty of Bassein]] with Baji Rao on 31 December 1802. In 1803, the British dispatched an army led by [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Arthur Wellesley]] to capture Pune and restore Baji Rao II as a titular Peshwa under British authority. Amrut Rao was forced to flee Pune with Holkar's men.

As Wellesley advanced, he received reports that Amrut Rao had plundered the city and Holkar had ordered its destruction before leaving. However, by the time Wellesley reached Pune on 20 April 1803, the city was intact.<ref name="RM_2013"/> The British restored Baji Rao II as a titular Peshwa under their control on 13 May 1803.

==After fleeing Pune==

Holkar had left his European officer [[William Linnæus Gardner]] as a liaison (and spy) in Amrut Rao's camp. Feeling betrayed after being forced to flee with a small force, Amrut Rao imprisoned Gardner. He later proposed that Gardner join him in serving Holkar's rival, Scindia, but Gardner refused. At one point, Amrut Rao's soldiers bound Gardner to the [[muzzle (firearms)|muzzle]] of a [[cannon]], though he was not executed as Amrut Rao was aware of his value as a prisoner. Gardner eventually escaped while Amrut Rao was en route to meet Scindia.<ref name="NS_1983"/>

Meanwhile, Wellesley opened correspondence with Amrut Rao, recognizing him as a potential ally who could turn into a threat if antagonized. Amrut Rao, who had joined Holkar reluctantly, saw little reason to oppose the British. Negotiations followed, despite Peshwa Baji Rao II viewing Amrut Rao as an enemy.<ref name="RM_2013"/> On 14 August 1803, Amrut Rao signed an agreement with the British, renouncing all claims to the Peshwa's office and agreeing to remain friendly. In return, he received an annual pension of {{INR}}7 lakhs and a [[jagir]] in [[Banda district (India)|Banda district]]. He settled at [[Chitrakoot Dham (Karwi)|Karwi]], where he and his descendants governed the Tiroha (Kirur) estate of the [[Bundelkhand Agency]].<ref name="CUA_1892">{{cite book |author=Charles Umpherston Aitchison |author-link=Charles Umpherston Aitchison |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPm13EKwB04C&pg=PA8 |title=A Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and Sunnuds, Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries |publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing |year=1892 |volume=IV (Containing the Treaties, Etc, Relating to the Central India Agency) |location=Calcutta}}</ref>

Amrut Rao eventually became known for his religious devotion and charitable acts.<ref name="RH_1843">{{cite book |author=Reginald Heber |author-link=Reginald Heber |url=https://archive.org/details/narrativeajourn04hebegoog |title=Narrative of a journey through the upper provinces of India from Calcutta to Bombay: 1824-1825 |publisher=Murray |year=1843 |page=[https://archive.org/details/narrativeajourn04hebegoog/page/n177 163]}}</ref> He once paid off the debts of all persons imprisoned for debt in [[Benares]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qC8EAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA69
|title=The Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor |publisher=Seeley, Jackson, & Halliday |year=1879 |page=69 }}</ref> In 1814, he undertook a sacred journey from Benaras to the Baidyanath temple in Deoghar, accompanied by nearly 2,000 armed men, including soldiers and attendants.

He died on 6 September 1824 at Secrole near [[Benares]].<ref name="RH_1843"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/f03abde4-694a-4400-85a9-514637ce5b00
|title=Death of Amrut Rao at Benares on 6 Sep 1824 |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=29 December 2015 }}</ref> His son and successor Vinayak Rao died childless in 1853. Vinayak Rao's adopted sons, Narayana Rao and Madho Rao, joined the [[1857 uprising]] after their pension was stopped by the Company. The revolt was crushed: Narayana Rao died in prison, while Madho Rao was allowed to remain a landlord due to his young age at the time.<ref name="CUA_1892"/>

Narayana Rao's daughter was later awarded a state in Banda and Chitrakoot, with guarantees from Scindia and Holkar.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{MarathaEmpire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, Amrut}}
[[Category:Peshwa dynasty]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:1824 deaths]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]

Amrut Rao - Revision history

Neeharikareddyiasacademy at 09:03, 26 March 2026