A History of the Mahrattas v1.c24.65

v1.c24.65

An opportunity, however, soon occurred of renewing the incursions. An insurrection against Aliverdy Khan’s government by the Afghans in his service obliged him to leave Orissa in some degree exposed, and in charge of a Hindoo governor. Rughoojee Bhonslay, apprised of the state of the province by certain Gosaeens whom he entertained as spies, invaded Orissa, obtained possession of several districts, and demanded thirty millions of rupees as the price at which he would spare the remainder and quit the country. Aliverdy Khan contrived to amuse him until he had suppressed the rebellion, when he sent a vaunting message to Rughoojee, which put an end to all negotiation. After the rains hostilities commenced, but ceased for a time after a partial defeat of the Mahrattas at Cutwa²; Rughoojee being obliged to return to his own territories in consequence of a disputed succession to the principality of Deogurh in Gondwaneh, where the sons of a Raja named Bukht Boolund, converted by Aurungzebe to Mahomedanism, had quarrelled, and one of them, named Wullee Shah, not only confined his two brothers, Akbar Shah and Boorhan Shah, but, on being assisted by Neelkunt Shah, another Hindoo renegado, Raja of Chandah, Wullee Shah refused to pay either chouth or surdeshmookhee to the Mahrattas; Akbar Shah was desirous of obtaining assistance from the Nizam, but Boorhan Shah courted the Mahrattas.