The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c11.113

c11.113

The Southern Marátha Country was henceforward free from the incursions of Tipu, but the suicide of the Peshwa in 1795 gave rise to a series of intrigues which led to its peace being not a little disturbed. Nána Phadnavis, having broken with the Patvardhan family, incited the rája of Kolhápur to attack their possessions. This the rája did with great effect, and then turned his arms towards the Karnátak which he laid under contribution, repeatedly defeating Dhondo Pant Gokhalé, taking all the strong places between the Ghatprabha and Malprabha rivers, and levying tribute as far south as Kittur. The Kolhápur forces were on one occasion defeated by the sar-subhedár near Sávanur, but on being reinforced recovered their lost ground.¹ The rája's hold of the country however was but short-lived. Parsharám Bháu, having been reconciled to Nána, was sent with the force which it had been intended to employ in the campaign of A.D. 1799 against Tipu to recover the lost territory, and the rája was obliged to retire to Panhála, leaving his capital to be besieged. The death of Nána Phadnavis at this juncture caused new disturbances. Sindia was incited by the new Peshwa Báji Ráo to attack the Patvardhans' jáhgir, and was joined by the Nipáni chief, who wasted the whole country between Miraj and Bijápur.