The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.253

c10.253

Soon after this war broke out between Holkar and Sindia. From A.D. 1802 when Holkar devastated Sindia's possessions in Khándesh may be reckoned the ruin of this once flourishing province. Holkar marched on plundering through the Gangthari; he routed Narsinh Vinchurkar, who opposed him, and advanced to Poona; then followed the battle of Poona, which left the Peshwa at the mercy of Holkar. As his only resource Báji Ráo signed the treaty of Bassein with the English, and the English forces marched on Poona. Colonel Stephenson with the Haidarábád army took up a position at Purenda, while Sir A. Wellesley advanced to save Poona from Amrut Ráo, the adopted brother of Bájí Ráo (April 1803). Amrut Ráo retired to Sangamner, ravaging the country, and then turned off to Násik, sacked it, and remained in that neighbourhood till the end of the war, when he made terms with the English. The common danger made the Marátha chiefs unite against the English. During the negotiations previous to the outbreak of the war Sir A. Wellesley marched to Válki, eight miles south of Ahmadnagar. On the 8th of August he stormed the town, on the 10th his guns opened on the fort, and on the 12th it was surrendered. Wellesley then crossed the Godávari, and on the 23rd of October fought the battle of Assaye. In October Colonel Stephenson took Burhánpur and the fort of Asirgad, and Sindia was forced to make peace. By the treaty of Sirji-Anjangaon, Burhánpur Asirgad and his Khándesh possessions were restored to Sindia, while Ahmadnagar and its districts were given to the Peshwa. The war against Holkar still continued, and its districts in the Dakhan were taken by the English. Chándod, Gálna, and other forts were surrendered and in A.D. 1805 he came to terms. His possessions with the exception of Chándod Ambar and Shevgaon were at once restored, and these districts also were given up within two years.