A History of the Mahrattas v1.c24.25

v1.c24.25

This inroad seems to have been instigated by Rughoojee merely to obstruct the Peishwa's progress to the eastward: and on Ballajee's arrival in Malwa the army of Guzerat retired. On this occasion Anund Rao Powar, to whom Bajee Rao never became reconciled after his uniting with Trimbuck Rao Dhabaray, was permitted to pay his respects to Ballajee, and was by him confirmed in possession of Dhar² and the surrounding districts³; a politic measure which not only secured Powar in his interests, but opposed a barrier on the western side of Malwa to incursions from Guzerat. Since the Peishwa's arrival at Mundelah, a negotiation had been going on between him and the Emperor through the mediation of Raja Jey Sing, supported by Nizam Ool Moolk. The chouth of the imperial territory was promised, and a khillut, more splendid than had ever been conferred on his father,⁴ was transmitted to Ballajee. It does not, as may be here remarked, appear that any deed for collecting this general chouth was ever granted by Mohummud Shah; sums of money and convenient assignments were the mode of payment. The object in the pending treaty was, on the part of the Peishwa, to obtain Sunnuds for the promised government of Malwa; on that of the court of Delhi, to procrastinate and to widen the breach between the Peishwa and Rughoojee Bhonslay.