The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.117

c10.117

At first the management of affairs was entirely in the hands of Raghunáth Ráo; but Mádhav Ráo, the young Péshwa, soon became desirous of having a share in the administration, and disputes arose between him and his uncle. The latter retired, and having obtained help from the governor of Aurangábád and collected a large force of Maráthás; marched on Poona, defeated his nephew's army, and again took charge of the government. He made Sakhárám Bápu, a descendant of Gopináth, the Bráhman who betrayed Afzul Khán to Shiváji, and Nilkanth Purandhare, his chief ministers; gave over the fort of Purandhar to the latter, and made several other changes in the ministry. He also, as the price of the aid he had just received, agreed to give back to the Nizám the rest of the provinces ceded in A.D. 1760, but his promise was not kept. The Nizám in consequence declared war, and being joined by Jánoji Bhonsla and other disaffected chiefs marched on Poona in A.D. 1763. As it was an open city, the people fled, and the Mughals sacked and burned Poona; thence they marched to Purandhar, and ravaged the country as far north as the Bhíma. The Marátha army had meanwhile assembled and plundered the Nizám's country; and now, following the Mughals on their return, assailed them as they were crossing the Godávari at Rákshasbhuvan, and inflicted a severe defeat on them, which brought the war to a close. Jánoji Bhonsla, who had deserted the Mughals, was the chief gainer.