Madhavrao I

Madhavrao I (15 February 1745 – 18 November 1772), also known as Madhavrao Ballal Bhat (marathi: माधवराव पेशवे), was the ninth Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, serving from 1761 until his death in 1772. He was the second son of Balaji Baji Rao and the grandson of Bajirao I. Madhavrao assumed the office of Peshwa at the age of sixteen following the Marathas' defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. His reign marked a period of political and administrative recovery known as the "Maratha Resurrection", during which the empire reasserted authority over territories lost following the Third Battle of Panipat.

Madhavrao restructured the administration, reduced corruption, and revived the empire’s finances. Under his leadership, the Marathas reasserted their authority over large parts of western and southern Indian subcontinent, notably the Carnatic region, Mysore, and Hyderabad. During his tenure, the Peshwa administration regained control over several regions through administrative reforms and military campaigns.

Madhavrao has been credited for maintaining unity within the Maratha Confederacy through diplomacy and political negotiation. He promoted trade, sought to improve revenue collection, and introduced measures aimed at supporting agricultural stability during his time as prime minister.