Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade (24 July 1863 – 31 December 1926) was an Indian historian,[1] known for his work on the history of the Maratha Empire.

[2] He pioneered research into the Empire by visiting hundreds of villages across India and gathering thousands of historical documents, especially family records.

Rajwade was born on 24 July 1863 at Varsai, Raigad district, Bombay Presidency, at a Chitpavan Brahmin family.

He was also inspired by the works of the Essayist Vishnushastri Krushnashastri Chiplunkar, lexicographer Parshuram Tatya Godbole and Kavyeitihas Sangrahakar Sane.

After his sudden death in 1926, the ‘Rajwade Sanshodhak Mandal’ was founded at Dhule and the works and collection amassed in the later periods of his life were kept there.