In Maratha history, who is popularly known as the "second founder of the Maratha Empire" for reorganising and strengthening Maratha power after Shivaji?

Introduction / Context:
After the death of Shivaji, the Maratha state faced internal conflicts, Mughal pressure and a period of instability. A later leader played a crucial role in reorganising the state, establishing the hereditary Peshwaship and laying the foundations for renewed expansion. Because of this contribution, many historians and exam books refer to him as the "second founder of the Maratha Empire". Identifying this figure helps clarify how Maratha power revived after its initial formation under Shivaji.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The question asks who is known as the second founder of the Maratha Empire. - The options are Balaji Bishwanath, Balaji Baji Rao, Baji Rao I and Madhav Rao. - We assume standard school level interpretations of Maratha political history.

Concept / Approach:
Balaji Vishwanath (spelt here as Balaji Bishwanath) became Peshwa to Shahu and is credited with negotiating with the Mughals, securing recognition of Maratha rights and transforming the Peshwa from a royal minister into a powerful hereditary office. His work restored confidence and cohesion in the Maratha state after a troubled phase. Thus he is often called the second founder of the Maratha state or empire. Baji Rao I, his son, expanded Maratha power further, and Madhav Rao later revived it after the Third Battle of Panipat, but the specific title second founder is generally attached to Balaji Vishwanath in competitive exam literature.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Shivaji is widely accepted as the founder of the Maratha Empire. Step 2: Recognise that after his death, succession disputes and Mughal campaigns weakened Maratha authority. Step 3: Remember that Balaji Vishwanath, as Peshwa to Shahu, reorganised revenue, administration and military arrangements, and negotiated favourable terms with the Mughals. Step 4: This reorganisation earned him the description second founder of the Maratha state in many books. Step 5: Baji Rao I and Madhav Rao also strengthened Maratha power, but they are described with different titles and roles. Step 6: Therefore, Balaji Bishwanath is the correct choice from the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Summaries of Maratha history often state that Balaji Vishwanath consolidated the Maratha kingdom, obtained the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi in Maharashtra and neighbouring regions, and built a firm base for later expansion. For this reason, they explicitly call him the second founder of the Maratha Empire. While some authors praise Madhav Rao for restoring Maratha power after the disaster of Panipat, the examination oriented phrase second founder is most consistently linked to Balaji Vishwanath, not to his successors.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Balaji Baji Rao: This name combines two separate Peshwas Balaji Vishwanath and Baji Rao and is not the standard figure referred to by this title.
Baji Rao I: A brilliant Peshwa who expanded Maratha influence into north India, but textbooks usually credit his father Balaji Vishwanath as the second founder.
Madhav Rao: Known for reviving Maratha fortunes after the Third Battle of Panipat, yet usually described as a restorer rather than as the second founder.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several Peshwas had similar family names and all played important roles, students may confuse who did what. Another pitfall is to associate the term second founder with the most spectacular military expansion and therefore pick Baji Rao I or Madhav Rao. Keeping in mind the distinction between political reconstruction after chaos (Balaji Vishwanath) and later territorial expansion or revival helps identify the correct answer.

Final Answer:
The leader popularly known as the second founder of the Maratha Empire is Balaji Bishwanath.