[1] After her husband's death on 22 March 1816, Baka Bai brought her step-son Parsoji II Bhonsle to the royal palace, who succeeded to the throne of the kingdom.
She held the status of dowager queen and formed a strong faction at the Nagpur royal court, including Dharmaji Bhonsle, Naroba Chitnis and Gujabdada-Gujar.
[6][5][3] However, the talented Appa Sahib assassinated Dharmaji Bhonsle, persuaded several members of Bakabai's faction to support him in his endavour of becoming regent, and acquired the regency.
However, shortly after the treaty was concluded he renewed resistance, raising the local Gonds in rebellion, who burnt Makardhokra, Amgaon, Dighori, and other villages belonging to Baka Bai.
[5][1] When Raghuji III died in 1853 without a male heir, the Kingdom of Nagpur was about to be annexed by the Doctrine of Lapse policy devised by Lord Dalhousie.
[12] Baka Bai tried all peaceful measures to resist the unjust policy, but eventually agreed to receive a pension along with the other Bhonsle family members.
[6][13] During the Revolt of 1857 there was unrest in Nagpur and the whole of the Central Provinces, but due to Baka Bai using all her power and influence to help the British government, a large uprising was prevented.