The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c11.115

c11.115

Further south, too, there were troubles. On the fall of Saringapatan one Dhundia Wágh, who had been in Tipu's service, managed to make his escape and took service with the rája of Kolhápur. When the latter was besieged, Dhundia set up on his own account as a freebooter, and plundered both the districts which the English had lately acquired from Tipu and those in the south of the Peshwa's dominions. His success drew numerous adherents to his standard, and he assumed the title of King of the Two Worlds. Dhondo Pant Gokhalé, who had been engaged at Kolhápur, returned to the south to put down this formidable marauder, but fell into an ambush and was killed, Chintáman Ráo, the father of the present (1877) chief of Sángli, being wounded on the occasion. Dhundia Wágh did not long enjoy his success. Permission having been granted to the English to follow him into the Peshwa's territory, a force was sent after him under Major-General Wellesley (afterwards the Duke of Wellington), by whom the king of the Two Worlds was followed up vigorously, and at last brought to bay on the 10th of September 1800 at Konagal, where he was defeated and killed.¹ The territories wrested from Dhundia Wágh were made over to the Patvardhan family; but as the Peshwa Báji Ráo was determined to ruin that family, Bápu Pant Gokhalé, the nephew and successor of the deceased sar-subliedár, was instructed to throw every obstacle in their way.