Selections from the Peshwa Daftar 2.intro.7

2.intro.7

6. The Peshwa's neglect

With the fresh light thrown by these papers, one can fix the responsibility for the Panipat disaster primarily on the Peshwa himself, who was either fast losing his health or over-confident of his power or too much addicted to the pursuit of pleasure to spare his attention for graver concerns at a distance. Few men in the south realised the situation that was developing in Bhau's forces in the north, and no one heeded the warnings on the point uttered by smaller men like Hingne, Antaji Mankeshwar or Bundele. Gangoba Chandrachud and his master Malharrao Holker were the only ones who gave the alarm of the coming danger (No. 116), but the haughty Bhau, relying too much on the efficacy of the artillery of Ibrahim-Khan, sneered at them as cowards. Overtures for peace were, however, continued by both the parties throughout the period of hostility. Matters began to assume a serious aspect for Bhau even during his victorious entry into Delhi (No. 130); and Nana Fadnis himself sounds an ominous note of alarm in his letter of September 15, 1760 (No. 131). Naro Gangadhar Mujumdar's letter (No. 133) confirms the culpable negligence of the Peshwa even after he was fully informed of the awkward predicament of Bhau's forces in the Delhi region. The absurdities of rumour are illustrated by a letter which announces a victory for Bhau on the field of Panipat (No. 138). Nothing has been discovered in the records so far which could materially add to our present knowledge of the final stage of the struggle. Possibly all such communications were intercepted by the enemy. Abdali, even after the crushing Maratha rout on January 14, 1761, tried to effect an understanding with the Peshwa in the following June (No. 146). The death of the Peshwa (No. 147) in the same month brings the whole episode to its dismal close.

7. Minor points extracted from the Peshwas' Diaries

In addition to the letters so far produced a few striking extracts from the Peshwas' Diaries are collected together in the last number (No. 149), which clear several small doubtful points. Laxmibai, wife of Vishwasrao, who is commonly supposed to have gone with her husband to Panipat, is now proved to have lived at Trimbakeshwar with her relatives at the time of the battle. Several entries refer to the marriage of the Peshwa with Radhabai of the Vakhre family. The affair was being long considered at Sidhtek where the Peshwa spent some months. Many eligible girls were assembled for the Peshwa's inspection, of whom at least three were married on the occasion at Hiradpuri near Paithan, one by the Peshwa himself, another by Nilkanth Mahadeo Purandare, and the third by Vireshwar Dixit Manohar. The travelling expenses of the ladies, their dresses, their marriage festivities and the alms given away on the occasion, are all found entered in the Diaries. The entertainment of Abdali's agent Gulrai, the obsequies of Vishwasrao, the robes of honour sent to Abdali as a present, the visits paid by Malharrao Holker's wife Gautamabai and his young grandson to the Peshwa, returning to the south, Narayanrao's attack of small-pox, and the rewarding of Janoji Bhintada for having safely conducted Parvatibai back from Panipat, are some of the items of fresh information given here which students of history would value.