A review of the book 'The Regent Queen of Ichalkaranji Anubai Saheb Ghorpade' written by Mohini Peshwa Karkarey.
We know little about Anubaisaheb Ghorpade, Ichalkaranji’s courageous regent and protector in the 18th Century. This book will reveal to you her life and contributions against the backdrop of the Maratha Empire, telling you the intriguing tale of this unsung, overlooked, yet dynamic heroine.
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Coming up: A review of the book 'The Regent Queen of Ichalkaranji Anubai Saheb Ghorpade' written by Mohini Peshwa Karkarey.
Namaste Friends. My name is 'Shinil Subramanian Payamal' and you are listening to the Historylogy podcast.
Before I proceed, a full disclosure: This book was bought with my own money and not been provided to me by the author or publisher.
Little bit about the author:
Mohini Peshwa Karkarey, is an avid history enthusiast. She is the 10th direct descendant of the erstwhile Peshwa family of Pune. Her interest in history began at a young age, listening to stories narrated by her father. She graduated from Fergusson College of Pune, specializing in English Literature and History, and completed her Masters in Indology from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth. Following her passion, she further studied the Modi script from Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal to uncover the nuances in the written literature of that period. Her first foray into combining her love for writing and history was a blog titled ‘Footfalls into the Maratha Era’, mohinik.blogspot.com. This blog brought to light prominent but lesser known figures, artefacts, places, etc., from the Maratha regime. She has extensive knowledge about places and sites of historical significance in and around Pune and being a part of ‘Heritage Insights’, lends her expertise through heritage walks throughout the city.
Mohini is also a certified Gemmologist. She lives with her family in Pune.
Let me read a brief description of the book:
QUOTE
We know little about Anubaisaheb Ghorpade, Ichalkaranji’s courageous regent and protector in the 18th Century. This book will reveal to you her life and contributions against the backdrop of the Maratha Empire, telling you the intriguing tale of this unsung, overlooked, yet dynamic heroine.
UNQUOTE
The first point of note is that this is the first time someone from the Peshwa family is writing about Peshwa history.
This book is a short biography of Anubai who was the daughter of Balaji Vishwanath Peshwa and sister of Bajirao I and wife of Venkat Rao Ghorpade. Anubai and Venkat Rao were the founders of the Ichalkaranji Sansthan.
When Venkatrao died in 1745, leaving their son Narayanrao ill-equipped to rule, Anubai stepped into the regency with the poise of a seasoned administrator. Over the next three decades—until her death in 1783—she navigated treacherous alliances, territorial disputes, and the shifting sands of Maratha politics, all while upholding her late husband's vision of a stable, prosperous state.
Drawing on her descent from the Peshwa lineage, the author crafts a vivid portrait of a regent whose intellect, resolve, and occasional missteps shaped the fate of the small but strategically vital jagir of Ichalkaranji.
This book gives readers a glimpse of the times, the people, the geography and most importantly the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the Maratha Confederacy and of Ichalkaranji.
Karkarey's narrative unfolds like a meticulously researched chronicle, blending archival records, family lore, and Peshwa court documents to trace Anubai's triumphs and trials. We see her leveraging familial ties to Peshwas like Nanasaheb and Madhavrao to quash encroachments from Kolhapur's Jijabai, rallying armies to reclaim usurped lands, and even aiding in the defeat of the formidable Tarabai and Damaji Gaikwad.
The book avoids hagiography. While it celebrates Anubai, it also acknowledges her constraints, the failures and missteps, and the structural limits of her power. Her governance wasn't without flaws—Karkarey doesn't shy away from detailing Anubai's rare lapse in judgment after the devastating Battle of Panipat in 1761, when she briefly fell for an imposter claiming to be the fallen Bhau Saheb, extending aid that strained resources.
The total number of pages in the book is less than 55 pages which includes illustrations, genealogies, timeline of events and appendices. The inclusion of rare paintings, such as one depicting Anubai astride a horse, adds a visual dynamism that brings the era to life. This has also been used on the cover of the book.
Final Verdict:
The Regent Queen of Ichalkaranji Anubai Saheb Ghorpade succeeds admirably in bringing to life an under‐explored figure in Maratha political history. It is a triumphant reclamation of a "dynamic woman" whose legacy deserves to stand alongside Ahilyabai Holkar or Tarabai. In an era when women's voices were silenced, Anubai's story—told with scholarly rigor and heartfelt admiration—reminds us of the quiet architects of the Maratha empire.
This is essential reading for history enthusiasts or anyone seeking inspiration from unsung heroines or the politics of 18th-century India.
It is a beacon that not only honors Anubai but also invites us to reread the Maratha saga through a more inclusive lens. If Karkarey expands this into a full series on Peshwa women, which I sincerely hope she does, I'll be first in line.
I give this book 4/5.
The book is currently available only in Paperback format. I have given the respective buy link in the show notes. Please check it out for the latest price.
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