Balaji's father Baji Rao aimed to establish a Hindu Padshahi (Hindu kingship) in India, and maintained good relations with the Hindu Rajputs.
However, during Balaji Rao's tenure, the Marathas alienated the Rajput rulers.

When Jai Singh II of Jaipur died in 1743, a war of succession broke out between his sons Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh.
Madho was supported by Jagat Singh II of Mewar and Ummed Singh of Bundi.
The Marathas, however, initially supported Ishwari, simply because he offered them more money.
Later, Jagat Singh was able to enlist Malhar Rao Holkar on Madho's side, while Jayappa Rao Scindia continued to support Ishwari.
This episode not only spoiled the Maratha relations with the Rajputs, but also resulted in internal strife among the Marathas.
Madho Singh later sought arbitration from Balaji Rao, who personally came to Jaipur and convinced Ishwari Singh to cede 4 mahals to Madho Singh.
Ishwari Singh initially agreed, but refused to abide by his promise after Balaji returned to Pune.
Malhar Rao Holkar then not only forcefully captured the mahals for Madho, but also imposed a tribute on Ishwari Singh.
In 1750, the Marathas declared a war on Ishwari Singh for his failure to pay the arrears.
Ishwari Singh was desperate as he did not have sufficient money to pay off the Marathas, and he could not impose excessive taxes on his citizens.
As a result, he committed suicide by consuming poison.

After Ishawari Singh's death, Madho Singh became the ruler of Jaipur.
However, he no longer trusted the Marathas, having seen their treatment of his elder brother.
He participated in battles against the Marathas, until Safdarjung intervened and convinced the Marathas to leave with an apology and some compensation.
After Safdarjung's death, the Marathas again invaded the Rajput territories.
This forced Madho Singh to seek help from Safdarjung's successor Shuja-ud-Daula as well as the Afghan king Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali).

In 1749, Abhai Singh of Jodhpur (Marwar) died, leading to a war of succession between his sons Bakht Singh and Ram Singh.
Ram Singh sought help from Jayappa Scindia.
By the time Scindia marched to Jodhpur in September 1752, Bakhat Singh had died.
He was succeeded by his son Bijay Singh, who sought help against the Marathas from the Mughals, the Rohillas and Madho Singh.
With Madho Singh's help, Bijay Singh resisted the Marathas for a year, before he agreed to peace talks.
During one such peace negotiation, Jayappa Scindia was assassinated by emissaries of Vijay Singh of Marwar in July 1755.
This led to further hostilities between the Marathas and the Rajputs until Dattaji Rao Scindia concluded a peace treaty in February 1756.
Balaji's father Baji Rao aimed to establish a Hindu Padshahi (Hindu kingship) in India, and maintained good relations with the Hindu Rajputs. However, during Balaji Rao's tenure, the Marathas alienated the Rajput rulers.
When Jai Singh II of Jaipur died in 1743, a war of succession broke out between his sons Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh. Madho was supported by Jagat Singh II of Mewar and Ummed Singh of Bundi. The Marathas, however, initially supported Ishwari, simply because he offered them more money. Later, Jagat Singh was able to enlist Malhar Rao Holkar on Madho's side, while Jayappa Rao Scindia continued to support Ishwari. This episode not only spoiled the Maratha relations with the Rajputs, but also resulted in internal strife among the Marathas. Madho Singh later sought arbitration from Balaji Rao, who personally came to Jaipur and convinced Ishwari Singh to cede 4 mahals to Madho Singh. Ishwari Singh initially agreed, but refused to abide by his promise after Balaji returned to Pune. Malhar Rao Holkar then not only forcefully captured the mahals for Madho, but also imposed a tribute on Ishwari Singh. In 1750, the Marathas declared a war on Ishwari Singh for his failure to pay the arrears. Ishwari Singh was desperate as he did not have sufficient money to pay off the Marathas, and he could not impose excessive taxes on his citizens. As a result, he committed suicide by consuming poison.
After Ishawari Singh's death, Madho Singh became the ruler of Jaipur. However, he no longer trusted the Marathas, having seen their treatment of his elder brother. He participated in battles against the Marathas, until Safdarjung intervened and convinced the Marathas to leave with an apology and some compensation. After Safdarjung's death, the Marathas again invaded the Rajput territories. This forced Madho Singh to seek help from Safdarjung's successor Shuja-ud-Daula as well as the Afghan king Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali).
In 1749, Abhai Singh of Jodhpur (Marwar) died, leading to a war of succession between his sons Bakht Singh and Ram Singh. Ram Singh sought help from Jayappa Scindia. By the time Scindia marched to Jodhpur in September 1752, Bakhat Singh had died. He was succeeded by his son Bijay Singh, who sought help against the Marathas from the Mughals, the Rohillas and Madho Singh. With Madho Singh's help, Bijay Singh resisted the Marathas for a year, before he agreed to peace talks. During one such peace negotiation, Jayappa Scindia was assassinated by emissaries of Vijay Singh of Marwar in July 1755. This led to further hostilities between the Marathas and the Rajputs until Dattaji Rao Scindia concluded a peace treaty in February 1756.
Balaji Baji Rao