A History of the Mahrattas v1.c19.42

v1.c19.42

But Shao, whilst Daood Khan’s government continued, was secured in the ascendancy; he was also surrounded by most of the experienced ministers, and was totally exempt from that cruelty and excess, which his enemies gave out that he inherited, with many other vices, from his father Sumbhajee. The loss of Shunkrajee Narrain was a severe blow to the cause of the opposite party, and Shao, in that temper of conciliation, for which he is deservedly applauded, seized the advantage which the sanction of lawful authority always bears, and immediately dispatched clothes of investiture to Narroo Shunker, son of the late Suchew, then a child of two years old; at the same time confirming as a matter of course his Mootaliq, or principal agent, in that situation. This measure immediately secured to him the services of that party, and the Suchew never afterwards departed from his allegiance. Shao was not equally successful in binding all the members of the Pritee Needhee’s family to his interest. He released Pureshram Trimbuck, restored his honours by the removal of Gudadhur Prillhad, and confirmed him in his former charge of Vishalgurh and its dependencies. The Pritee Needhee sent his eldest son, Kistnajee Bhaskur, to assume the management of the fort and district; but he had no sooner obtained possession than he revolted, tendered his services to Sumbhajee, and was made Pritee Needhee at Kolapoor. On this defection Pureshram Trimbuck was again thrown into confinement, and Shao, under a belief that the revolt had been encouraged by him, intended to have put him to death, but he was dissuaded from this design, which, even if just, would have made him odious in the country.