Balaji Bajirao Peshwa (December 8, 1720 – June 23, 1761), also known as Nana Saheb, was a Peshwa (prime minister) of the Maratha Empire in India.[1] He was appointed as Peshwa in 1740 upon the DEATH of his illustrious father, the Peshwa Bajirao I.During his tenure, the Chhatrapati (Maratha Emperor) was reduced to a mere figurehead. At the same time, the Maratha empire STARTED transforming into a confederacy, in which individual chiefs — such as the Holkars, the Scindias and the Bhonsles of Nagpur kingdom — became more POWERFUL. During Balaji Rao's tenure, the Maratha territory reached its zenith. A large part of this expansion, however, was led by the individual chiefs of the Maratha Empire.By the end of Balaji Baji Rao's tenure, the Peshwa was reduced to more of a FINANCIER than a general. Unlike his father, Balaji Baji Rao was not a great military leader and failed to gauge the seriousness of Durrani INVASIONS in northern India. This ultimately resulted in a devastating Maratha defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat.[2] Some judicial and revenue reforms were made during his tenure, but the credit for these goes to his cousin Sadashivrao Bhau and his associate Balshastri Gadgil.[2]