[citation needed] At the time of his birth, the Maratha Confederacy stretched across a sizeable portion of Western, Central, and Northern India.

However, he was held partially responsible for the severe defeat of the Marathas by Ahmad Shah Abdali at the Third Battle of Panipat in early 1761.

At the time of Madhavrao’s ascendancy, the Maratha Confederacy was in complete disarray, burdened by significant debts following their defeat at Panipat.

At Shaniwar Wada, the prime residence of the Peshwa, religious rituals and ceremonies were frequently conducted, while administrative discipline had weakened significantly.

Due to a difference of opinion between the two, Raghunathrao decided to abandon the troops midway and return to Pune, while Madhavrao continued.

Madhavrao usually preferred the company of Gopalrao Patwardhan, Tryambakrao Mama Pethe, Nana Fadnavis, and Ramshastri Prabhune; while Raghunathrao was dearer to Sakharam Bapu Bokil, Gulabrao and Gangoba Tatya.

This time his massive army included efficient generals like Gopalrao Patwardhan, Murarrao Ghorpade, Vinchurkar and Naro Shankar.

The Peshwa's failure to impose his authority over Hyder Ali triggered a major setback on Madhavrao's health[citation needed].

Meanwhile, Madhavrao made a bold decision of bonding with his old rival, Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II.

Mastin wanted to establish a military presence in the regions of Vasai and Sashthi, but was confronted by Madhavrao who was suspicious of his intentions.

Mastin's repeated requests to acquire these regions in return for defeating Hyder Ali fell on deaf ears, and Madhavrao never agreed to them.

On 10 June 1768, he waged a war against Raghunathrao, captured him, and put him under house arrest at Shaniwar Wada along with his assistant Sakharam Bapu Bokil.

In 1769, Madhavrao sent a large army under the command of Ramchandra Ganesh Kanade and Visaji Krushna Biniwale in order to recover territory lost in the North due to the defeat of the Third battle of Panipat they were joined by Mahadji Shinde and Tukoji Rao Holkar.

They avenged the defeat of Panipat by breaking the tomb of Najib Khan, by looting the artillery and wealth of the Rohillas, and by recovering from them an additional tribute of Rs.40 lakhs.

[8] During his northern campaign, Biniwale persuaded the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam to return to Delhi and reclaim his throne in 1771.

[9] Peshwa Madhavrao I was so delighted with Visaji Krushna's grand victory in the Rohilkhand that he specifically mentioned in his written will to shower golden flowers on him during his arrival at the border of Pune.

Shah Alam spent six years in the Allahabad fort and after the capture of Delhi in 1771 by the Marathas, left for his capital under their protection.

After reaching Delhi in January 1772 and realising the Maratha intent of territorial encroachment however, Shah Alam ordered his general Najaf Khan to drive them out.

In retaliation, Tukoji Rao Holkar and Visaji Krushna Biniwale attacked Delhi and defeated Mughal forces in 1772.

According to Grant Duff "The third battle of Panipat was not that much fatal to the Maratha empire than the early death of Peshwa Madhav Rao in 1772.

[citation needed] 18 November 1772, early morning approximately at eight: Madhavrao died at the temple premises of Chintamani, Theur.

[citation needed] Madhavrao Peshwa I was a prominent figure of the Maratha Empire, renowned for his administrative acumen and leadership.

[citation needed] Humanitarian and Administrative Abilities An incident highlighting Madhavrao's compassion occurred during the aftermath of a war.

He imposed a fine on Raghunathrao for misconduct during the Nizam's invasion, a decision that led to a temporary estrangement from his mother, Gopikabai.

Furthermore, Madhavrao prioritized the welfare of the citizens, optimizing revenue utilization for public benefit and strengthening the empire's military capabilities.

Justice Kashinath Trimbak Telang citing James Grant Duff narrates an amusing story[15] that illustrates Madhavrao's ruthlessness, omniscience, and disregard for religious restrictions.

[16] Assessing the impact of the loss of Madhavrao, the writer James Grant Duff eulogised: And the plains of Panipat were not more fatal to the Maratha Confederacy than the early end of this excellent prince…[17][18]