A History of the Mahrattas v1.c16.106

v1.c16.106

Sivajee’s death was to be kept a profound secret until Sumbhajee’s confinement should be rendered perfectly secure. The funeral obsequies were performed privately by Shahjee Bhonslay, a relation of the family. A force under Jenardin Punt Somunt, whom we have seen so active in the Carnatic, was directed to march to Panalla; the garrison of Raigurh was strengthened; ten thousand horse were stationed at the neighbouring village of Panchwur; and Humbeer Rao, the Senaputtee, was ordered with a large army to take up a position at Kurar. As some time was necessary for any of these movements, letters were dispatched to Heerajee Furzund, in charge of Sumbhajee at Panalla, to apprise him of what was going forward. But Sumbhajee had either been informed of the event or suspected his father’s death, for on the appearance of the messenger with letters, he seized and threatened him with instant death if he did not give up the packet. Its delivery discovered the whole. Heerajee Furzund fled into the Concan; Sumbhajee took command of the fort and was obeyed by the garrison; but he immediately put two of the principal officers to death. Not knowing whom to trust beyond the walls of the fort, he made preparations for defending it and resolved to await events. Jenardin Punt, finding the place in Sumbhajee’s possession, sat down to blockade it, and after some weeks was content to leave his guards at their posts, whilst he took up his abode in the town of Kolapoor.