Tarabai, the wife of Shahu's stepbrother Rajaram, had made herself regent during the minority of her son while Shahu was in Mughal captivity. Much before he was appointed Peshwa Balaji had to contend with her and other dissidents of Shahu. Balaji's shrewd negotiation skills and diplomacy helped him win the support of Shahu's major rivals like the former boss Dhanaji Jadhav and Kanhoji Angre, the commander of the Maratha navy. 

However Dhanaji's son Chandrasen, who succeeded his father as the commander of Shahu's army, defected to Tarabai. In retaliation Balaji turned Tarabai's own policy of intrigue against her by conniving with her disgruntled courtiers and successfully installed her step son Sambhaji on the throne of Kolhapur, after dethroning Tarabai's son Shivaji II. Opposition to Shahu continued from other quarters and Balaji was constantly occupied in battle and diplomatic campaigns, with little time to spare for his home and family.

Whenever her husband was away Radhabai was pretty much in charge of the Peshwa household. She was clever and resourceful and ran her home and the administration efficiently. Her accurate judgement in matters of state won her much respect and the Peshwa's subordinates were careful not to displease her. Knowledgeable from her experience as well as her extensive reading she made sure that the court officials remained accountable to her in their dealings. Without her active support the Peshwa could not have focused his attention on the mission to strengthen the Maratha state under Shahu.

It had been Radhabai's idea to marry her daughter Bhiu and her sons to the children of bankers and moneylenders so the Peshwa could borrow large funds for raising Shahu's army. This trend of carefully choosing matrimonial alliances would continue for the future generations of the Peshwas uniting many Chitpawan Brahmin families into a formidable political force that called the shots in Maharashtra during much of the 18th century. As the Peshwa's star rose so did the clout of the Chitpawans in Shahu's kingdom, making the formerly well-established Deshastha Brahmin and Maratha clans uncomfortable and they never missed an opportunity to exhibit this discontent.

No matter how capable or successful he was in his career Radhabai knew her husband had many enemies. She made sure to inculcate the right values in her children while carefully overseeing their education. Her sons were trained in combat and as well as statecraft. Most importantly they were impressed upon the need for loyalty to the king so that, like their father they too could devote their lives to the cause of the Maratha state, matching their personal ambition with its expansion. They would continue to have enemies just like their father and preparing them to deal with opposition was their mother's responsibility.

Besides quoting from the Hindu epics, Radhabai often used the civil war in Maharashtra (following the death of Shivaji) and the decline of the Mughal empire as powerful case studies to illustrate to her children the significance of solidarity. Many a day had been spent in the mother taking an impromptu class for her children and daughters-in-law to help lay a strong foundation to prepare them for their future roles as members of the Peshwa's family. While Kashi and Rakhma rarely opened their mouths other than to answer questions posed to them Bhiu was far more inquisitive and had no inhibitions about voicing her doubts.

"But Aai Saheb, Tarabai Saheb was a very effective ruler who held the Maratha state together in the absence of Shahu Maharaj! Then why was she not allowed to continue as regent?" Bhiu expressed her opinion one day. It was plain that Tarabai was her role model. To Bhiu she represented a dream that society would not permit a girl of her age to cherish.

"Without doubt Tarabai was a very capable ruler. But you must understand that in our society as well as in monarchies across the world male primogeniture is practised wherein the firstborn male child is the heir-apparent unless he is unsound of mind or body or unworthy by conduct. Shahu was his father's heir-apparent hence to us he is the rightful successor. Even Rajput kings who practice polygamy have a chief queen whose firstborn son is named the crown prince. If this rule is not enforced personal ambition of other contenders may lead to anarchy and put the state in peril." Radhabai explained.

"You mean like the power struggle among the Mughals?" Bhiu asked while the others continued to listen to the discussion intently.

"The Mughals are descendants of Central Asian tribes that have a bloody history. They do not practice primogeniture and take many wives. Ambition and harem politics filters into their children. The sons grew up firmly adhering to the maxim of crown or coffin. If they do not cut down rivals and grab power they stand to meet an unforgiving fate. Humayun blinded his own brother Kamran, Akbar killed Kamran's sons, Jahangir blinded his son Khusru while Shahjahan eliminated Khusru and other brothers like Shahriyar and Dawar along with his uncle's sons."

" Aurangzeb continued the tradition of fratricide causing the deaths of his brothers Murad, Dara Shikoh and Shah Shuja along with that of his brothers' sons in an attempt to eliminate all challengers. It seems Aurangzeb's sister Roshanara had ordered the death of Dara, and even had his severed head presented to their distraught father. Had Dara Shikoh, the eldest son,  succeeded his father instead of Aurangzeb history could have been very different. Most Mughal princesses were forced to remain unmarried because of the Mughal tradition to marry daughters off to sons of their brothers. Their male cousins rarely survived the fratricide!" 

Radhabai paused so that her message could sink in. Even though the girls knew Mughal history somewhat they were horrified to learn such details. Radhabai smiled. Sometimes truth, even if it was disturbing, served an important purpose in education. "No matter how valid Tarabai's claim to the Maratha throne don't forget that she put her ambition before the state. This led to divided loyalties among the Maratha clans-some in her favour and others against, which weakened the structure of Hindavi Swaraj. There is no question about it though, by the law of primogeniture the throne belongs to Shahu Maharaj."

"Even our epics tell us of calamities that befell when some women tried to challenge primogeniture to favour their children. In the Ramayana, under the influence her maid Manthara Dashrath's Queen Kaikeyi sought the banishment of Ram so that her own son Bharat could rule instead. Ironically Bharat detested her for the act because he was as devoted to his brother Ram as was Lakshman."

"In the Mahabharata when Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati his son Bhishma was morally compelled to take a vow of celibacy so that Satyavati's sons would succeed his father instead of him. Because of this vow of celibacy Bhishma refused to marry the abducted princess Amba who then swore to destroy him. Her prophecy was  fulfilled when she was reborn as Shikhandi." 

"Does that mean that Rau will succeed father as the Peshwa?" Bhiu's question caused Kashi's heart to skip a beat. Her ears perked up immediately.

"So far the position of the Peshwa is not hereditary. But technically it is our tradition to abide by primogeniture, which means Rau has the natural right to succeed his father's title. Don't look upon the Peshwa's office as a seat of power, look upon it as a privilege to serve the nation's cause instead. Bhiu, both your brothers are equally deserving but primogeniture is the most peaceful and controversy-free instrument for succession. If Rau is being groomed to succeed your father, Chimnaji is also being groomed to serve the cause without letting his ambition thwart him. No wonder our sons are compared to the brothers Ram-Lakshman, Chimanji is as selfless and devoted to Rau as Lakshman was to Ram!"

"That brings us to the role played by you girls as sisters and wives. Always remember that your loyalty is paramount for the wellbeing of the home as well as of the state. Our families are monogamous by tradition because the complications of multiple spouses and sons have been made apparent by Mughal history. It would be ideal if you remained the sole wives of your husbands and brought up your children to uphold the common good rather than nurturing petty jealousies and intrigue. We give our daughters to and receive brides from among our own people who are bound by this thread of culture and faith so that the solidarity of the community is maintained. This is very important for you to remember and perpetuate." Radhabai closed her lesson for the day hoping that her pupils had learnt it well.

The other girls dispersed and Kashi stayed behind, waiting to be formally dismissed by the matriarch. "It will be your responsibility as the seniormost daughter-in-law to be the moral compass of this household. Their duties throw our men among people of eclectic backgrounds. It is our role as wives to ensure that their feet remain on the ground,  because men are notorious for their affinity to stray from their goals. Turpitude drove some Rajputs and Mughals toward debauchery. If base passions are not reigned in timely destruction is the natural consequence. People may blame us for being orthodox and inflexible, but character cannot be cast without a mould and gold must pass through fire to be proven genuine."

"It is desirable to respect one's husband but not to the extent of tolerating his excesses. Rau is ambitious, it is obvious that great power shall be bestowed upon him along with greater responsibility, sooner or later. The role of a powerful man's wife is never easy. You should train your mind to withstand the pressure that comes with the job. Weigh the consequences before you speak or act. And never forget that a wife can be as powerful as she wants to be, if only she knows how to!" Radhabai gave her a cursory nod to dismiss her and Kashi left the room, her thoughts swirling in her head. 

"All very well for her to say so, but we know that we will never dare to match her power, she is the reigning Peshwin, not us!" Kashi told herself helplessly. She was just a tiny firefly compared to the raging inferno represented by her husband and his mother. They had to simply glance at somebody to win them over or to intimidate them into submission. The thought of being able to dominate her husband made her giggle nervously.