The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.92

c10.92

Báláji was appointed Peshwa in his father's place, though the nomination was opposed by the creditors of Báji Ráo, who had died deeply in debt. A few more years passed quietly in the Dakhan while the Marátha troops overran Hindustán and penetrated into Bengal Orissa and the Karnátak. At last in A.D. 1749, Sháhu, who had long been imbecile, died, and the change which had been impending took place; the sovereignty passed from the Marátha rájás to the Bráhman Peshwás. Sháhu left no direct heirs, and before his death disputes had arisen between his wife Sakwárbái Sirké, who declared for Sambháji the Kolhápur rája, and Tárábái who brought forward a boy whom she called her grandson, Rája Rám, son of Shiváji, who she said had been kept in concealment since his birth. Jagjivan the Pratinidhi, brother of Shripatráo, took the side of Sakwárbái, while Báláji supported the claim of Rám. Immediately Sháhu died, Báláji seized the town and fort of Sátára and took the Pratinidhi and Sakwárbái prisoners. The latter he forced to perform the rite of sati or widow-sacrifice, and the former he imprisoned in a hill fort.