The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c11.117

c11.117

The following extract from a letter written by General Wellesley in April 1803² gives a succinct but graphic account of the state of the Southern Maratha Country during the two and a half years that had elapsed since the battle of Konagal: "Since the year 1800, when I was in this country before, it has been one continued contest for power and plunder between the different chiefs who have armies under their command; between the Patvardhans (Parsharám Bháu's family) and Gokhalé in the countries bordering on the Tungbhadra Varda and Malprabha; between the Patvardhans and the rája of Kolhápur in those bordering on the Ghatprabhá and Krishna; between Bápuji Sindia the killedár of Dhárwár and the rája of Kittur; between Gokhalé and the rája of Kittur, and Gokhalé and Bápuji Sindia; besides various others of inferior note either immediately employed under these or for themselves under their protection." When General Wellesley wrote this letter he was passing through the country on his way to Poona to aid the Peshwa, who had lately concluded the treaty of Bassein. During the campaign against Sindia and the Berar rája, the Southern Maratha Country remained pretty quiet, as the English leader had given it to be clearly understood that he would not have his communications with the south disturbed, and on one occasion ordered up Major-Genera Campbell from Mysor to keep the peace.