A History of the Mahrattas v1.c22.2

v1.c22.2

During the Peishwa’s absence, Kanhojee Bhonslay, the Sena Sahib Soobeh, had been accused of disobedience and confined at Satara; and Rughoojee, the son of Kanhojee’s cousin Bembajee, had been appointed to the situation of Sena Sahib Soobeh in his stead. Rughoojee had served with a small party of horse, both under his relation Kanhojee and with one of the petty Mahomedan ¹ princes in Gondwaneh; his station was too humble to bring him into general notice, but he had, in a confined sphere, distinguished himself by superior intelligence, activity, and spirit. The particulars of the intrigue by which Kanhojee Bhonslay was deprived of his title and Jagheer are not known, but from the selection of Rughoojee as his successor, agreeably to the choice of the Raja, it is probable that Bajee Rao had no share in it. Rughoojee had accompanied Shao in his excursions, and from being a very bold and expert hunter had ingratiated himself with the Raja and obtained a great ascendancy over him. Shao married him to the sister of one of his own wives, of the Sirkay family, which, except their having the same surname, and that they may possibly ² have been originally relations and rivals for the hereditary right of Patell of their village, is the only connection which can be traced between the families of Satara and Nagpoor.¹