peshwa
/ˈpeɪʃwɑː/(also peishwa) Now historical
noun
A chief minister of the Maratha princes from 1660; (usually with capital initial) any of the rulers of the Maratha kingdom, in central India, from 1713 until 1818.
- The Maratha princes descended from Shivājī (1627–80) became titular kings only, the administration being in the hands of the peshwa; by 1713 the holder of the office, Balājī Viśvanāth, was the de facto monarch; by the time of his death in 1720 sovereignty was established as hereditary in his family, who retained their former title as rulers. The Peshwas continued to govern the Maratha kingdom until 1818, when Balājī's descendant Bājī Rāo II was expelled and the peshwaship was abolished by the British..
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in William Foster (b. 1591), Church of England clergyman and writer. From Urdu pešwā chief, leader from Persian †pēšwā (now pīšwā).