Question

_______, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, pleaded with the British that he be given his father’s pension when the latter died.
1. Balaji Vishwanath
2. Nana Saheb
3. Nana Phadnavis
4. Narayan Rao

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Nana Saheb

The correct answer is Nana Saheb.

• Nana Saheb: 
  • ​Balaji Baji Rao was popularly known as “Nana Saheb”.
  • He was a Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in India.
  • Born in Bithoor of Kanpur district. 
  • Adopted by Peshwa Baji Rao II who was residing in an estate in Bithoor after the Third-Anglo Maratha war. 
  • As the adopted son of Bajirao II, he sought to restore the Maratha confederacy and the Peshwa tradition. 
  • After the death of Peshwa Bajirao II, Nana Saheb was not accepted as the heir by the British as he was the adopted son of the Peshwa and they also refused to give him a pension. 
  • All this led him to participate in the Revolt of 1857.
  • Nana Saheb was an inspiration to many other freedom fighters as he supported the ideology of Independence and tried to diminish the British impact through the rebellion of 1857.
  • He attacked the British Barricade at Kanpur and captured it. Then he declared himself as the Peshwa and the governor under Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.