History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.312.3

v2.c41.312.3

Chimnāji started on *Daśaharā*, 11th of October 1779, but instead of marching straight to Bihar according to the orders from Poona, he delayed intentionally on the road and finally reached Katak eight months later in May. The real name of Chimnā Bāpu was Khandoji Bhonsle. The *Bakhar* of the Nagpur Bhonsles by Kāśirāva Rājeśvar Gupta states that Mudhoji sent Chimnā Bāpu much against his will to Katak accompanied by Bhavāni Kālu as *Karbhāri*, Nānā Śyāmrāj as *Phaḍnis*, Mahādāji Umaji, Pāṇḍuraṅg, Maryāji (? Sūryāji) *Bakhshī*, Amṛit Rāo Mādhav Prabhu as *chiṭnis* and Datṭājī Yaśovant Aṭhole as *Muṣāhib* and 25,000 troops.¹ Mudhoji tried to negotiate a treaty with Poona and the army sent under Chimnājī Bāpu lay idle at Katak. The same *Bakhar* states that Chimnājī reached Katak in faste 1189, and demanded arrears of *chauth* from Murshidābād. At last on the 9th of January, 1781 a draft treaty was received from Mudhoji. But the English could not accept it immediately. Hastings therefore decided to send an army immediately to Madras through Orissa, and Anderson was sent to negotiate terms at Katak so that the armies might not clash. Anderson arrived at Balasore on the 22nd January 1781 and was informed that Chimnājī had entered the jungles to punish the refractory Rājā of Dhenkanal. Anderson then proceeded to Katak and learnt that the Rājā of Sambalpur had created disturbances and interrupted the line of communications between Nagpur and Katak.