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The Marathas In the late 17th century Shivaji, a Maratha warrior from central west India, established a successful powerbase through adroit military campaigns. By the early 18th century the Marathas had evolved into a political confederacy whose nominal head was the Raja of Satara, but whose de facto leader was the peshwa based in Pune. By the 1750s Peshwa Nana Saheb was the most powerful ruler in India. He might have taken control of most of the subcontinent, but for his defeat at the hands of Afghan warriors at Panipat in 1761. Individual Maratha generals subsequently carved out kingdoms for themselves, among them Gwalior, Indore and Baroda. By 1818, however, the East India Company had gained control over all of these individual states. Map of the Maratha Kingdom : http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/maharaja/files/marathas.pdf Source : V&A

On the right side of the portrait is Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa and left side Nana Phadanwis..

An interesting read. The memoir is said to be based on personal interviews with people who witnessed the battle of Panipat which was fought exactly 250 years ago. Mere mention of Panipat raises the hair on the necks of some aficionados, sends their blood racing at the memory of the gory details of that battle. Nana Phadnis, wily as he was, ruled by intrigue and cunning. The author of this memoir makes an interesting observation about how brahmins mistake cunning for wisdom!

Haha...The pot calling the kettle black !

The character of Nana Phadanvis was brought alive by Mohan Agashe in a scintillating play by Vijay Tendulkar directed by Jabbar Patel. The play was called Ghashiram Kotwal. The sex-drive of Nanji was picturesquely portrayed there. The play had fantastic visual quality about it unparalleled in Indian theater.