Nana Sahib, who led the Revolt of 1857 at Kanpur, was the adopted son of:

Nana Sahib (Dhondu Pant), who led the Revolt of 1857 at Kanpur, was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa of the Marathas.

About Nana Sahib:

• He was born in 1824.
• He was adopted by Baji Rao II, who had no son of his own.

His grievance:

• After the death of Baji Rao II in 1851, the British refused to continue the pension of 8 lakh rupees a year that had been paid to the former Peshwa.
• They also refused to recognise his other titles.
• Nana Sahib sent his agent, Azimullah Khan, to England to plead his case, but without success.
• This made him hostile to the British.

His role in the Revolt:

• In June 1857, he joined the rebel sepoys at Kanpur and was proclaimed the Peshwa.
• The British garrison at Kanpur, under General Wheeler, surrendered after a siege, on the promise of safe passage by boat to Allahabad.
• However, at Satichaura Ghat, the boats were attacked, and many British soldiers were killed.
• Later, British women and children held prisoner were killed at the Bibighar.
• The British, under General Havelock and later others, recaptured Kanpur and took harsh revenge.

His fate:

After the defeat of the rebels, Nana Sahib escaped to Nepal around 1859, and nothing certain is known about his later life.

His associates:

• Tantia Tope, his commander.
• Azimullah Khan, his adviser.

About the last Peshwa:

• Baji Rao II signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802) with the English.
• After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, he surrendered (1818), and the office of Peshwa was abolished.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Baji Rao I, Madhav Rao I and Balaji Baji Rao were earlier Peshwas.