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Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's Wife) Biography: Age, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth20 December 1724

Age53 (at time of death)

BirthplaceSupa, Maharashtra, Maratha Empire

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidow (at time of death)

SpouseBalaji Baji Rao (Peshwa)

FamilySons: Vishwasrao, Madhavrao I, Narayan Rao

Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's Biography

Gopikabai (born 20 December 1724) was the wife of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (Nanasaheb). A devout and orthodox woman from Supa in the Maratha Empire, she was母

Early life and background

Gopikabai was born on 20 December 1724 in Supa, Maharashtra, during the period of the Maratha Empire. She belonged to a Brahmin family; her father is recorded as Bhikaji Naik Raste. Details about her mother and sister are not documented in the excerpt, though a brother is mentioned, identified as Sardar Raste. From an early age she was noted for her religious inclinations and for reading sacred texts.

Marriage and family

Gopikabai became the wife of Balaji Baji Rao, also known as Nanasaheb Peshwa, the eldest son of Bajirao I. The match was encouraged after Radhabai, the wife of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, observed Gopikabai's devotion and considered her a suitable bride for Balaji Baji Rao.

Gopikabai and Balaji Baji Rao had three sons: Vishwasrao, Madhavrao I, and Narayan Rao. Vishwasrao fell at the Third Battle of Panipat. Madhavrao I succeeded as Peshwa when his father died, and Narayan Rao later became the fifth Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. The couple did not have any daughters mentioned in the available record.

Career and role at court

As the wife of the Peshwa, Gopikabai held a visible position within the Maratha court. Her orthodox and deeply religious nature shaped her relationships at court, and over time those relationships became strained. She developed a notable rivalry with Anandibai, the wife of Raghunathrao, who was Balaji Baji Rao's brother. Tensions extended to other women in the Peshwa household and court circles.

Personal tragedies and later life

Gopikabai endured several family tragedies. Her eldest son Vishwasrao died during the Third Battle of Panipat. Madhavrao I later died in 1773 from tuberculosis. After the murder of her third son, Narayan Rao, Gopikabai's circumstances deteriorated sharply. The excerpt records that she lived in poverty and that she begged among the Sardars in Nasik.

An episode late in her life involved Radhikabai, who had been the betrothed of Vishwasrao. When Radhikabai visited Nasik for the Kumbh Mela, she encountered Gopikabai, who was asking for alms. Gopikabai accused Radhikabai of being an ill omen and of causing Vishwasrao's death. Following that meeting, Gopikabai observed a fast unto death and died of dehydration on 11 August 1778 in Nasik. She was 53 years old. Radhikabai conducted Gopikabai's last rites and had deepmalas (towers of lights) erected on the banks of the Godavari River at Nasik; those structures were later destroyed by floods in 1961.

Public profile

Gopikabai is remembered for her piety, strict adherence to religious practice, and the fierce rivalries that marked her life at the Peshwa court. Her family connections placed her at the center of major events in Maratha history, including the catastrophic Third Battle of Panipat and the turbulent succession struggles that followed.

Latest updates

Plans related to representations of her in popular culture were reported in 2018, when filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker initiated a project about the Third Battle of Panipat in which actress Padmini Kolhapure was slated to portray Gopikabai.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Portrayal in planned film 'Panipat'

In 2018 director Ashutosh Gowariker began a project on the Third Battle of Panipat in which Padmini Kolhapure was set to play Gopikabai.

2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Wife of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (Nanasaheb Peshwa)
  2. Mother of Peshwa Madhavrao I and Peshwa Narayan Rao
  3. Noted for devout religious practice and orthodox lifestyle
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's born?

Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's was born on 20 December 1724.

What is Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's’s marital status?

Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's's marital status is listed as Widow (at time of death).

Who is Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's married to?

Gopikabai (Balaji Bajirao's is publicly listed as married to Balaji Baji Rao (Peshwa).