The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.141

v4.c21.141

But the Peshwā was too quick for him. Hearing of what had happened while near Raichūr, by forced marches in which he covered 400 miles in thirteen days he descended upon Dāmājī Gāikwār, who was being hotly engaged by Nānā Purandhare and others. The Gāikwār fell back before his new opponent, and retreated into a *cul-de-sac* in the Krishnā valley. The Gujarāt troops, unused to jungle-fighting, became disorganised, and Dāmājī had no option but to negotiate. The Peshwā pressed him to surrender half Gujarāt and pay an indemnity of two and a half million rupees. Finding him obdurate, he suddenly, in spite of the truce, attacked and captured Dāmājī, together with his son and Umā Bāī Dābhāde, and sent them as prisoners to Poona. So incensed was Dāmājī at this piece of treachery, that ever after he refused to salute the Peshwā except with his left hand. Bālājī’s terms of ransom—half of Gujarāt, and a yearly tribute of 500,000 rupees, were severe, and for a long time Dāmājī resisted. After six months of rigorous confinement, however, he capitulated, and in the cold weather of 1752–53 he returned homewards, accompanied by Raghunāth Rāo and a considerable force, with the object of reinstating himself as sole ruler of Gujarāt and expelling the Mughul viceroy. After a desperate struggle, Ahmadābād was captured, and the last remains of Mughul rule in Gujarāt were obliterated.¹