Historical Love Stories

Bajirao and Mastani

Bajirao- considered being some of the greatest cavalry generals in the history of warfare fell in love with Mastani. There are several speculations and misconceptions about this story despite of being some of the most famous love stories among the History of Maratha Empire.

The tale begins with Muhammad Khan Bangash a general from Mughal court attacking the kingdom of Chhatrasal. Chhatrasal- after getting inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj had established his kingdom in the Bundelkhand (south east to Delhi). When Bangash attacked his kingdom, Chhatrasal secretly sent a message to Bajirao calling for his aid. In the message, Chhatrasal- a good poet himself writes-

“Jo beeti gaj grah par so gati bhayee hai aaj

Baji jat bundel ki rakho Baji laj”

Means: We the Bundela clan are in the same condition in which the Gajraj was when

his feet was caught by the crocodile. So please help us to protect out honour.

Responding to his call, Bajirao went to Bundelkhand and defeated Bangash in battle of Jaitpur. when Bangash retreated, Bajirao and Chhatrasal met at Bharatpur and Chhatrasal happy by the deeds of Bajirao, declared him as his third son and awarded one third part of his kingdom to him. During his welcome to the court, traditional dance was organised in which Bajirao and Mastani first saw each other. Mastani was a good dancer and had herself performed on Bajirao’s welcome. It is said that the two fell in love with each other at the first sight. Recognizing the growing attraction between the two, Chhatrasal offered Mastani to Bajirao.

When Bajirao came back to Pune, it was a usual scenario with most of Bajirao’s family members opposing his decision to keep Mastani in the Saniwar Wada- the palace of peshwas. Eventually, the family of peshwas was divided on the topic of Mastani. Chimaji Appa- Bajirao’s younger brother, Radhabai- Bajirao’s mother and Nanasaheb- Bajirao’s son were on the opposing side of Bajirao-Mastani relationship. The most surprising thing was that Kashibai- wife of Bajirao was pro to Bajirao- Mastani relationship. Due to the increasing family conflicts, Bajirao started to keep away from the family. Mastani even had a separate palace at Shaniwarwada although she was not allowed to enter from the main gate (Delhi Darwaja). For her there was a separate gate called Mastani Darwaja (to the left of Delhi Darwaja). Mastani sometimes was accompanying Bajirao on his expeditions. Sensing the growing attraction between the two, Radhabai- Bajirao’s mother asked Bajirao to take Kashibai with him on his expeditions. Bajirao had erected a separate palace for Mastani at Pabal near Pune. Mastani even performed a dance on the eve of Nanasaheb’s Marriage.

Bajirao died in 1740 at Raverkhedi (Madhya Pradesh) while he was engaged on an expedition to conquest Nadirshah. Mastani as well soon died at Pabal. Bajirao had a son from Mastani named Samsher Bahaddar, who died in the battle of Panipat in 1761 due to his wounds. The palace of Mastani at Shaniwar Wada was onverted to wood storage space after Samsher Bahaddar’s son Ali migrated to Chanda to take the post of dewan (chief accountant) there soon after death of Samsher bahaddar. The palace was later devastated in the fire which led to a great destruction of Shaniwar Wada.

SOME COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MASTANI AND BAJIRAO:

Que: Was Mastani a wife of Bajirao?

Ans: Yes and no both. Mastani had married Bajirao in a ceremony which had declared her as Khandareen. Khand means the straight sward. The warrior was married to a sward which was considered to represent the bride. This ritual is quite common among several Maratha generals such as Shinde and Holkars. For ex. Mahadji Shinde (on whom the serial The Great Maratha is based) was a son of a Khandarin of Ranoji Shinde (Name of Mahadaji’s mother is not currently recallable to me). Balaji Vishwanath is said to have such Khandarin. The post of of a Khandarin is considered as Deputy Wife (those with greater profiency on English and Marathi, should suggest a word for Upa-Patni). Such Khandarins were not entitled for the rights and respect as the wife but were still considered to be more respectable than the mistresses. So eventually, Mastani was Bajirao’s wife but secondary.

Que: Was Mastani a muslim?

Ans: No. Although Mastani’s mother was a muslim, still she had adopted to the Pranami brotherhood which was initiated by group of people who were worshiping Lord Krishna. Mastani’s mother was baptised with the teachings of the brotherhood. Even Chhatrasal himself was a follower of the brotherhood. The brotherhood was based upon the concept of Hindu Muslim unity. Even the mother of Mastani was a Khandarin of Chhatrasal which makes her a Hindu by birth. Even if someone argues that she wasn’t a Hindu, then he should also accept that she wasn’t a muslim as well.

Que: Is there a true picture of Mastani available?

Ans: No. The two portraits which people claim to be of Mastani are not the true pictures. The arguments supporting to the facts are as follows:

1: the pictures depict a woman who was of the age around 45 whereas the approx. age of Mastani can be hardly 30 to 32 Max.

2. The trend of making pictures of the people in upper class of the society was limited as it was considered that such pictures can be used for black magic such as Bhanamati. Hence the artists themselves were not ready to make paintings unless the motive was known.

3/ One of the pictures in collected from the collection of Nana Phadanavis (accountant to Peshwas after 1762). Some records say that Nana had taken some paintings from Ali son of Samsher bahaddar. The set paintings from which these pictures were taken were from northen India.

Even by watching the pictures, anyone can argue whether this was Mastani in whose love Bajirao was ready to take on his family as the beauty of Mastani is not depicted there.

Effects of Mastani’s arrival were dreadful to Maratha history. Radhabai soon recognised that the cause of Bajirao loving Mastani was the separation from his wife. So to avoid any such thing in future she started forcing the men in peshwa family to take their wife alongwith them on the expeditions. This triggered a new tradition of wives and family accompanying the soldiers on the battlefield which is one of the important reasons for defeat at panipat.