A History of the Mahrattas v1.c24.63

v1.c24.63

The Mahrattas were too much occupied in their own schemes to think of taking advantage of the Nizam’s absence. Rughoojee Bhonslay was intent on recovering his lost footing in Bengal, and the Peishwa, in order to excuse himself to the Emperor for not acting against Rughoojee, remained in the Deccan. Rughoojee had returned to Berar in the rains, but as soon as the season opened, Bashkur Punt, Alee Kurawul, and several officers of note,¹ supported by twenty thousand horse, were sent into Bengal by the route of Orissa. Aliverdy Khan prepared his troops, but on pretence of coming to an agreement, opened a negotiation with Bashkur Punt, invited him to a ziafut or entertainment, with twenty of his principal officers, and most treacherously murdered them. One Surdar, named Rughoojee Gaekwar, who remained in charge of the camp, was the only one out of twenty-two principal officers who escaped this perfidious massacre: he conducted the retreat of the army to Berar by the same route they had come, but many of the Mahratta stragglers were cut off by the exasperated peasantry.