A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.155

v1.c17.155

The Mahratta Munsubdars, who had been in the service of Beejapoor after the fall of the capital, sent professions of duty to the Emperor, but they showed no readiness to join his standard.² Shirzee Khan was, as we have seen, detached for the purpose of attacking Sumbhajee’s possessions, and the Munsubdars alluded to were ordered to co-operate, but it is not ascertained that they joined him. Shirzee Khan, after penetrating as far as Waee, was attacked and defeated by Humbeer Rao the Senaputtee, a victory dearly purchased by the loss of Humbeer Rao who was mortally wounded on the occasion.³ The advantage which the Mahrattas had gained was not neglected in consequence of this misfortune, several of their detachments pushed forward and occupied a great part of the open country towards Beejapoor. Parties of Mahratta horse made their appearance at Golcondah during the siege⁴ of that place, but they acted with no vigour and scarcely caused any interruption to the operations. The most important diversion which Sumbhajee attempted was by sending off a detachment to the Carnatic under the orders of Kessoo Punt Pingley, the late Peishwa’s brother, with Suntajee Ghorepuray as his second in command.¹