A History of the Mahrattas v1.c22.21

v1.c22.21

To aid this scheme, a force was sent into the Concan in 1733, under the Pritee Needhee, his Mootaliq Yemmajee Sewdeo, and Oodajee Chowan; the intrigues, for reasons which are not explained, were unsuccessful, but a war ensued, the effects of which fell principally upon the helpless peasantry. Little impression could be made on the Seedee’s garrisons; the Pritee Needhee after many months was finally worsted, and when encamped at Chiploon, the fort of Goelkot, although strongly garrisoned, was disgracefully surprised and taken. Chimnajee Appa incurred the Raja’s displeasure for not sending assistance to Sreeput Rao after repeated orders,³ and Shao at last told him, ‘if you do not I must go myself.’⁴ Peelajee Jadow was at length dispatched, but none of the other officers at Satara would undertake to support the Pritee Needhee, except on condition of receiving the conquered districts in Jagheer; he was, therefore, compelled to return to Satara with great loss of reputation. About this time the chief at Jinjeera died, leaving several sons, the eldest of whom, Seedee Abdoollah, was murdered by his brothers, supported by other conspirators, with the view of usurping the government in prejudice to Seedee Rehman, one of the brothers not in Jinjeera at the time of the murder, and who bore no part in the conspiracy.