A History of the Mahrattas v1.c16.105

v1.c16.105

Suhyee Bye, the mother of Sumbhajee, died in 1659, two years after his birth; Soyera Bye was the mother of Raja Ram, and being an artful woman not only had great influence with her husband, but a considerable ascendancy over several of the principal ministers, especially Annajee Dutto, the Punt Suchew. Sivajee, during the last days of his life, had expressed to Moro Punt, Annajee Dutto, and others, that in the event of his death much evil was to be apprehended from the misconduct of Sumbhajee; and these words were interpreted by Soyera Bye and her faction as a will in favour of Raja Ram, then a boy of ten years old. Moro Trimmul Peishwa, although Annajee Dutto had always been his rival, was at first drawn into a plan of administering the government under a regency in the name of Raja Ram. The other Purdhans likewise acquiesced in the arrangement, and measures were immediately taken to carry it into effect.