Thread by @authorAneesh

Modern Benares largely a creation of Marathas

The reference marked here is AS Altekar's book on Benares

Screenshot is of a PhD thesis by Katherine Prior

Bhosale ghat, Varanasi

It has been our desire since long to bring Kashi and Prayag under Maratha rule

- Peshwa Madhavrao

If Shivaji did not exist, then Kashi would be lost and Mathura would be a msjid

Kavi Bhushan

Some people pointing out others also have substantial number of structures in Benares. Ofcourse they do

But the political supremacy which allowed the clock set by Aurangzeb to be turned back was a Maratha achievement. The major building works were first taken up by them

Hardly 10 structures predating Aurangzeb existed in Benares in 1700... Such was the scale of destruction.

The Marathas were the first to start Anna Chhatras (charity) , Dharamshalas and start renovating the river front

Ahilyabai Holkar

This Dasashwamedh ghat mention is for some renovating , charity etc.

It was built much earlier by Balaji Bajirao Peshwa

As early as 1736, in a list of demands from the Mughal emperor, Kashi - Mathura - Gaya - Prayag is mentioned.

Remember this was before even their hold on the Malwa had been complete.

Peshwa Bajirao's death in 1740 was unfortunate in that regard too.

There is an entry of 70,000 pilgrims accompanying Nanasaheb Peshwa to Gaya

Hence Panipat was for Hindus.

Which the other side realised, many Hindus didn't

Ref : IHRC Vol १४

@Kal_Chiron