The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.246

c10.246

Nizám-ul-Mulk died in A.D. 1748 at Burhánpur, and the Peshwa took advantage of the disturbances which followed his death to attack his successor Salábat Jang. The Peshwa had however miscalculated his power, as Salábat had as his general the Frenchman Bussy. The Nizám advanced to Ahmadnagar in A.D. 1751. Bussy repelled the attacks of the Maráthás and surprised their camp at Rájápur on the Ghod river. As it advanced the Nizám's army plundered Ránjangaon and destroyed Talegaon Dhamdhera. A severe action was fought here, and the Nizám's troops were nearly routed, but they advanced to Koregaon-on the Bhíma. News then arrived that the fort of Trimbak near Násik had been surprised by the Maráthás, and Salábat Jang returned to Ahmadnagar; in A.D. 1752 he marched thence by Junnar to retake the fort, but being hard pressed by the Maráthás he agreed to an armistice. He was the more ready, as he was threatened by an attack from his eldest brother Gázi-ud-din, who advanced with a large army to Aurangábád, and promised the Maráthás to cede them the country between the Tápti and the Godávari west of Berar. Gázi-ud-din was poisoned while at Aurangábád, but his brother Salábat confirmed the cession, and thus the Maráthás gained the greater part of Khándesh Násik and the Gangthári.