Fact Check: "Aurangzeb met Bajirao Peshwa"
What We Know
The claim that "Aurangzeb met Bajirao Peshwa" is historically inaccurate. Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, died in 1707, while Bajirao I, who became the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, was appointed to this position in 1720, thirteen years after Aurangzeb's death (Bajirao I - Wikipedia). This timeline makes it impossible for the two figures to have met.
Bajirao I is known for his military campaigns and for establishing the Maratha Empire as a dominant force in India during the 18th century, particularly against the Mughals, who were already in decline by the time he rose to power (Maratha Empire). The Maratha Empire's expansion under Bajirao I occurred during a period when the Mughal authority was significantly weakened, further indicating that any interaction between the two leaders would have been implausible.
Analysis
The assertion that Aurangzeb and Bajirao Peshwa met lacks credible historical backing. Aurangzeb's reign ended with his death in 1707, and he was succeeded by a series of weak emperors who could not maintain the empire's former power (Maratha Empire). Bajirao I's tenure as Peshwa began in 1720, well after Aurangzeb's death, which is corroborated by multiple historical sources (Bajirao I - Wikipedia, SHRIMANT BAJIRAO PESHWA).
Moreover, the historical context surrounding the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire during this period supports the conclusion that any meeting between Aurangzeb and Bajirao I would not have occurred. The Marathas were engaged in a series of military campaigns against the Mughals, which further solidifies the improbability of a meeting between the two leaders (Impact of BAJIRAO PESHWA on India of the 18th Century).
The sources consulted are generally reliable, with Wikipedia providing a well-sourced overview of Bajirao I's life and the Maratha Empire's history (Bajirao I - Wikipedia). However, some sources, such as personal blogs or less formal articles, may contain subjective interpretations and should be approached with caution (SHRIMANT BAJIRAO PESHWA, Peshwa Bajirao Ballal, Part 1).
Conclusion
The claim that "Aurangzeb met Bajirao Peshwa" is False. The timeline of historical events clearly indicates that Aurangzeb had died before Bajirao I became Peshwa, making any meeting between them impossible. The evidence from credible historical sources supports this conclusion, confirming that such an encounter could not have taken place.
Sources
- Bajirao I - Wikipedia
- Maratha Empire
- SHRIMANT BAJIRAO PESHWA: Legendary warrior of the Marathas
- Peshwa Bajirao Ballal, Part 1: The Great Maratha Expansion
- PDF Maratha Empire: an Advanced Study - Jetir
- Maratha Wars
- The Balance of power in early 18th century India
- Impact of BAJIRAO PESHWA on India of the 18th Century