Bajirao once told his brother Chimnaji, "Remember that night has nothing to do with sleep. It was created by God, to raid territory held by your enemy. The night is your shield, your screen against the cannons and swords of vastly superior enemy forces".
Bajirao recruited and groomed commonfolk into brave soldiers and excellent generals. The Scindias(Ranoji) of Gwalior, Holkars(Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads(Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars(Udaiji) of Dhar were his creation.
His keen administrative aptitude and warrior skills saw the Maratha Empire burgeon into a formidable power.
Bajirao's love affair with Mastani is famous. Mastani was the fair and lovely daughter of Rana Chattrasal of Bundelkhand through his muslim mistress. Mastani lived with Bajirao at Shaniwar Wada and rode bravely beside him on his numerous military campaigns. She was his inspiration in battle and fearlessly chose to perish in his funeral pyre. Mastani was also the single biggest complication in Bajirao's personal life. Their love affair caused much rift in the orthodox Pune society of the time and lead to major crisis within the Peshwa family.
Bajirao's ardently desired that his son by Mastani be invested with the sacred thread and be declared a brahmin. But even the powerful Bajirao could not get the orthodox Pune brahmin priests to agree. With a heavy heart he had to bring up the lad as a muslim. Named Shamsher Bahadur, Bajirao and Mastani's son died , aged barely 27, fighting valiantly for the Marathas in the Battle of Panipat. Shamsher Bahadur's son, Ali Bahadur ruled over Baji Rao's lands in Bundelkhand, and founded the state of Banda, MP.
Bajirao's administrative and organizational skills are also worth noting as a prime stimulus to the banking business in his days.