A History of the Mahrattas v1.c21.7

v1.c21.7

Nizam Ool Moolk perceived his mistake, and sought to amend it by writing to Shao and the Pritee Needhee, that he was solely actuated by a wish to benefit the Raja, in order to prevent the usurpation of the Concanee¹ Bramins, by whose creatures every situation was filled; that the Mokassadars and collectors of the Surdeshmookhee had been replaced by others belonging to the Raja’s relation, Sumbhajee, whom he had appointed the Raja’s deputy, as Surdeshmookh of the six Soobehs of the Deccan; and that the Raja, when freed from the control the Bramins alluded to, might afterwards appoint agents entirely of his own selection. But the animosity of Shao, worked up to the highest pitch by the Peishwa’s representations, was not to be appeased by offers, which, under the colouring given to them by Bajee Rao, only added insult to injury. Both parties, therefore, prepared to attack each other, as soon as the rains should subside and enable their horse to cross the rivers.