The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.257.1

c10.257.1

In 1816 Trimbakji, who had been imprisoned at Thána in the Konkan for the murder of Gangádhar Shástri, escaped and wandered about the hilly country of Khándesh Báglán Násik and Sangamner, rousing the wild tribes, and making preparations for war in concert with his master. The Pendháris who had not hitherto ravaged Khándesh or the Dakhan also began to make inroads. In A.D. 1817 Godáji Dengle, Trimbakji's brother, rose in Khándesh: his force was dispersed by Lieutenant Davies with some of the Nizám's cavalry, but they re-assembled and took a fort. The British armies were now collecting to crush the Pendháris, and in October 1817 General Smith, who was in command at Sirur, marched to guard the Chándod passes; but early in November, hearing that affairs were threatening at Poona, he concentrated his troops at Puntámba on the Godávari. On the 5th of November Bájiráo's power was overthrown at Kirki. While General Smith marched on Poona, Báji Ráo fled north, past Junnar to Bráhmanváda in the hills south of Akola. General Smith then marched to Ahmadnagar, which had surrendered, and thence over the Nimbdhera pass to Sangamner; the Peshwa hearing of his movements fled south, and was followed by the British army over the Vashira pass and south towards Poona. After a long pursuit the Peshwa was overtaken in February 1818 at Ashti in Sholápur. A skirmish ensued, and in March 1818 he again fled to Kopargaon, his old home on the Godávari.