Baji Rao I, Indian emperor (d. 1740)
Baji Rao I (18 August 1700 – 28 April 1740), born as Visaji, also known as Bajirao Ballal, was the 7th Peshwa (Prime Minister) of the Maratha Empire. During his 20-year career as a Peshwa, he defeated Mughals and their vassal Nizam-ul-Mulk at several battles like the Battle of Delhi and Battle of Bhopal. Baji Rao's achievements are establishing Maratha supremacy in southern India and political hegemony in northern India. Thus, he was responsible for establishing Maratha power in Gujarat, Malwa, Rajputana and Bundelkhand; and liberating Konkan (western coast of India) from the Siddis of Janjira and Portuguese rule.
Baji Rao's relationship with his Muslim wife, a controversial subject, has been adapted in Indian novels and cinema.