A History of the Mahrattas v1.c11.49

v1.c11.49

A.D. 1653.—On his return to the Carnatic, Shahjee found that the accounts of the disturbed state of the country were not exaggerated; every petty chief endeavoured to strengthen himself and weaken his neighbour by plunder and exaction. His own Jagheer had been subject to depredations; and he sent his eldest son Sumbhajee to punish one of these aggressions on the part of the Killidar of Kanikgeeree.¹ On this service Sumbhajee was killed and his detachment defeated. Shahjee afterwards took Kanikgeeree by assault, and avenged his death; but the loss of Sumbhajee was a source of much affliction; and the event was followed by the demise of his principal agent in the Carnatic, Naroo Punt Hunwuntay, a Bramin educated in the school of Mullik Umber, who had served Shahjee for many years. His place was fortunately well supplied by his son, Rugonath Narrain, a person of considerable talent, whom we shall have occasion to notice at a future period. Disturbances became more and more prevalent in the Carnatic, and quite diverted the attention of the Beejapoor government from Sivajee; but no sooner was his father released than he began to devise new schemes for possessing himself of the whole Ghaut-Mahta and the remainder of the Concan.