The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.143

c10.143

At last, in 1801 Sindia marched north to check in person the progress of Yashvant Ráo Holkar. The country he left was in the greatest disorder, ravaged by bands of marauders, among whom was Vithoji, the brother of Yashvant Ráo Holkar, who was taken and executed by order of the Peshwa. Báji Ráo also disgusted the more respectable of his chiefs, by his treatment of the Rástia family, the head of which, Mahádev Ráo, was treacherously seized and imprisoned in Ráygad. Yashvant Ráo Holkar, who had at first been successful against some of Sindia's detachments, was completely defeated by him at Indor in October 1801; but he soon rallied his forces and marched south, sending on a detachment under Fateh Sing Máne to ravage Khándesh and the Dakhan. His orders were carried out; the Peshwa's officers were defeated and Khándesh and the Gangthari desolated. Fateh Sing Máne advanced south, defeated a force under Báláji Kunjar at Gár Dhond, and stormed the camp at Bárámati. Sindia sent a large force to the aid of the Peshwa, which, passing Holkar's army, joined the Poona troops, and the united forces took up a position at the Alla pass. Holkar, however, marched south by Ahmadnagar; and thence to Jejuri, joined Fateh Sing Máne, and came down the hills towards Poona, encamping between Loni and Hadapsar. Here he was met by the allied forces, and a battle ensued on the 23rd October 1802, in which he was completely victorious. Báji Ráo fled to Sinhgad, thence to Ráygad, and finally to Máhád in the Konkan; and not feeling safe even there, he took ship and landed at Bassein. Holkar was thus left complete master of Poona. At first he did not abuse his victory. He invited Amrut Ráo to come from Junnar and take charge of the government, which he did after some delay, and allowed his son Vinayak Ráo to be placed on the throne. This being done, Holkar began to plunder the helpless inhabitants of Poona mercilessly, till he and Amrut Ráo were drawn from the city early in 1803 by the approach of the British troops.