The political instability that engulfed the Maratha state following the death of Madhav Rao I centered around the conflict between Narayan Rao and Raghunath Rao. This conflict led directly to which of the following events? |ForumIAS

[A] The rise of the Gaekwad family as an independent power base in Gujarat.

[B] The formation of the Bara Bhai Council (Council of Twelve Brothers) under Nana Fadnavis.

[C] The permanent shift of the Maratha capital from Pune to the safety of Satara.

[D] The invasion of the Maratha territories by the Nizam of Hyderabad, seizing the opportunity to reclaim lost territories.

Answer: B

Notes:

Explanation:

(b) Correct. The murder of Peshwa Narayan Rao (1773) by guards allegedly instigated by his uncle Raghunath Rao (Raghoba) created a vacuum. To prevent the usurper Raghunath Rao from seizing power, a group of powerful ministers and military chiefs, led by Nana Fadnavis and Mahadji Scindia, formed the Bara Bhai Council to rule in the name of the infant Sawai Madhav Rao.
(a) (c) and (d) Incorrect. While the Nizam and Gaikwad were involved in the larger politics, the immediate and direct result of this internal conflict was the formation of the Council.