The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.123

c10.123

Raghunáth at once assumed charge of the government, but Sakhárám Bápu, Nána Phadnavis, Trimbak Ráo Máma, Hari Pant Phadke, and the other ministers were ill-disposed towards him, and none of his own followers were competent to take their places. Soon after his accession, while he was engaged in war with the Nizám, the old ministers withdrew from his camp to Poona, and having discovered that the widow of Náráyan Ráo was pregnant, had her conveyed in January 1774 to Purandhar, and formed themselves into a regency. Hearing of this, Raghunáth, who had marched into the Karnátak, returned with his army, and was met near Pandharpur by the army of the ministers under Trimbak Ráo Máma. He completely defeated them with the loss of their leader, but instead of marching on Poona, he retired to Burhánpur; and the birth of a son to Náráyan Ráo's widow (April 1774), to whom the name of Mádhav was given, put an end to Raghunáth's chance of success.