 Vishwanath received the area around Pune from the grateful mother of one of Shahu's ministers for saving her son's life.In 1718, Shahu sent him to Delhi to assist the Sayyads; in return for this help, Muhammad Shah (the Mughal emperor in Delhi) granted Shahu sardeshmukhi rights for Pune, Supa, Baramati, Indapur and Junnar.Shahu appointed Baji Rao I Peshwa in 1720, succeeding his father.