He was trained as a diplomat and a warrior under his father. Being born in a Brahmin family, his education included reading, writing and learning Sanskrit; however, he did not remain confined to his books. Baji Rao displayed a passion for the military at an early age and often accompanied his father on military campaigns. He was with his father when his father was imprisoned by Damaji Thorat before being released for a ransom. Baji Rao had been on the expedition to Delhi in 1719 with his father and was convinced that the Mughal Empire was disintegrating and unable to resist northward Maratha expansion. When Balaji Vishwanath died in 1720, Shahu appointed the 20-year-old Baji Rao as Peshwa despite opposition from other chieftains. He is said to have preached the ideal of a "Hindu Pad Padshahi" (Hindu empire).