Raghunath Rao

Raghunathrao (18 August 1734 – 11 December 1783), also known as Ragho Ballal or Raghoba Dada, was the younger son of Peshwa Bajirao I who served as the 11th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire for a brief period from 1773 to 1774.

The army led by him defeated the Rohillas at the Battle of Delhi (1757), resulting in the Marathas becoming the de facto rulers of Delhi, with the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II retaining only nominal authority. He also led successful campaigns against the Durrani Empire at Sirhind and Attock, bringing northwestern India and parts of present-day Pakistan—mainly Punjab up to Peshawar—under Maratha rule (1758–59) for a brief period.

Ahmad Shah Durrani later sought revenge against the Marathas for capturing Punjab and defeating the Durrani armies. He began preparing for another campaign in India. Raghunathrao requested substantial financial assistance to check Abdali's advance, which was refused by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. Balaji Baji Rao's decision not to send Raghunathrao as the main commander of the Maratha armies against Ahmad Shah Abdali—along with other factors—ultimately culminated in the defeat at Panipat in 1761.

After the death of Balaji Baji Rao, his son Madhavrao I became the new Peshwa under the regency of Raghunathrao. The untimely death of Madhavrao I created a vacuum in the Peshwa position. Raghunathrao aspired to become Peshwa himself but was opposed by many Maratha nobles who viewed Madhavrao I's younger brother, Narayanrao, as the legitimate successor. Seeking to seize power, Raghunathrao was involved in the assassination of his nephew Peshwa Narayanrao in 1773.

However, his reign was short-lived, as Narayanrao's infant son Madhavrao II was recognized as the legitimate Peshwa by the Maratha nobles in 1774. After being deposed, Raghunathrao allied with the East India Company during the First Anglo-Maratha War, attempting to regain power. The attempt failed when the Marathas defeated the Company forces.

Raghunathrao later withdrew from active politics and died of unknown causes in 1783 at Kopargaon.