A History of the Mahrattas v1.c22.19

v1.c22.19

The Seedee, who at this time was chief of Jinjeera, had held that situation for several years, with the old Moghul title of Yakoot Khan. The districts which had been placed under the Seedee's charge by Aurungzebe, including Mhar, Raigurh, Dabul, and Anjenweel, had been defended against every effort of the Mahrattas, and frequently, in consequence of their inroads, the Seedee levied contributions from Shao's districts. As force was not likely to prevail, the Pritee Needhee, Jewajee Khunde Rao Chitnees, and others of the Raja's ministers, formed schemes for ruining the Seedee by intrigue. A person named Yacoob Khan, well known in those times as one of the most daring pirates on the coast, and distinguished by his familiar appellation of Shaikjee, possessed the entire confidence of the Seedee. This man was a descendant of the Koolee Rajas of the Concan, and hereditary Patell of Goagurh. In one of the incursions of the Seedees he was, when a child, taken prisoner and bred a Mussulman. At a very early period he distinguished himself, and on getting command of a ship became as celebrated for his strategy as his bravery. The Pritee Needhee gained this Shaik Yacoob and entered into a secret treaty with him, by which he was to receive the command of the fleet, the whole of the Seedee’s possessions, with the exception of some forts, several villages in Enam, and the Surgounda¹ or two per cent. of the whole revenue of the lower Concan, from the river Penn to the boundary of the Kolapoor territory. His brother was to be appointed second in command at Raigurh, and one lack of rupees was to be distributed as a largess amongst the troops and crews of the vessels, in case of success in effecting a revolution.²