Background
He was the posthumous son of Narayanrao Peshwa, murdered in 1773 on the orders of Raghunathrao Madhavrao was considered the legal heir, and was installed as Peshwa by the treaty of Salbai in 1782.
He was the posthumous son of Narayanrao Peshwa, murdered in 1773 on the orders of Raghunathrao Madhavrao was considered the legal heir, and was installed as Peshwa by the treaty of Salbai in 1782.
He was known as Sawai Madhav Rao or Madhav Rao Narayan. After Narayanrao"s murder, Raghunathrao became Peshwa but was soon deposed by the courtiers and knights of the Maratha Empire. They instead installed Gangabai"s new born son, Madhavrao II, as the Peshwa with the courtiers themselves, led by Nana Fadnavis, as the Regents.
His time in power was dominated by the political intrigues of Nana.
He was made Peshawa when he was barely 40 days. Madhavrao committed suicide at the age of 21 by jumping off from the high walls of the Shaniwar Wada in Pune.