A History of the Mahrattas v1.c20.19

v1.c20.19

The troops of Khundee Rao Dhabaray behaved with great bravery on that occasion; and one of his officers, Dummajee Gaekwar, who with several of his sons had long stood high in Khundee Rao's estimation, had so particularly distinguished himself that on his return he recommended him to Shao in the warmest manner. The Raja, in consequence, appointed him second in command under Khundee Rao, with the title of Shumsher Buhadur.³ Such was the origin of the ancestor of the reigning family at Baroda. Neither Dummajee nor Khundee Rao Dhabaray survived their return above a few months; the son of Khundee Rao, Trimbuck Rao Dhabaray, was honoured with the dress of Senaputtee in May; the same month in which Bajee Rao received his clothes of investiture as Peishwa. Peelajee Gaekwar, an active partisan, the son of Junkojee Gaekwar, succeeded to the situation of his uncle Dummajee; and Chimnajee, the second son of the late Peishwa, was appointed to a similar command under his brother. Chimnajee likewise received the district of Sopa in Jagheer. Abbajee Punt Poorundhuree, their father’s Mootaliq, according to the rule of appointment by the Raja, was re-invested by Shao with scrupulous ceremony. During the interval between the death of Ballajee Wishwanath and the appointment of Bajee Rao, Abbajee Punt Poorundhuree transacted ordinary affairs with the seal of the late Peishwa; but a great part of the business fell into the hands of Khundoo Bullal Chitnees and Sreeput Rao Pritee Needhee. The former gave his attention principally to Angria, the Seedee, and affairs in the Concan; whilst the Pritee Needhee, aided by Anund Rao, Somunt Purdhan, conducted the important negotiations which were pending with Nizam Ool Moolk.