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(iii) Balaji Vishwanath contributed greatly to the success of Sahu. He, appointed Balaji as his Peshwa or Prime Minister. As Sahu was an, incompetent and pleasure-seeking ruler, all the power was concentrated, in the hands of Balaji Vishwanath who became the real ruler. Thus,, Peshwas became powerful., , Balaji Vishwanath, , He re-established the Maratha glory through his merits. He signed, a pact with the Sayyid brothers and helped them to overthrew Farrukh, Siyar. As a result, all the territories that had once formed a part of, Shivaji’s empire were now restored to him. He also got the right to, realize Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from six states of Deccan. In return,, he agreed to send 15000 cavalry-men in the service of the Mughals., This increased the prestige of Marathas. He made the office of Peshwa, hereditary. He established a Maratha confederacy along with Bhonsle,, Scindia, Holkar and Gaekwad. Peshwa became the chief of this, confederacy. He shifted his capital from Satara to Poona. He died, in 1720 and was succeeded by his son Baji Rao |., , Baji Rao!, , When Balaji Vishwanath died, his eldest son Baji Rao was of 20 years, in age. In his period the Maratha power reached its climax. In North, India he pursued the policy of spreading the Maratha power. He fought, many battles with the Mughals. In a period of two decades Baji Rao, reached to Delhi after conquering Bundelkhand, Bassien and Gujarat., After his death his son Balaji Baji Rao succeeded him., Balaji Baji Rao, , Balaji Baji Rao became the Peshwa at the age of eighteen years, He continued the forward policy of his father. During his Peshwaship,, the Marathas reached as far as Bihar and Orissa in the east and, the Punjab in the north. This was the period of the greatest expansion, of the Maratha power.