A History of the Mahrattas v1.c24.72

v1.c24.72

A.D. 1746.—In the following year he sent his cousin, Sewdasheo Chimnajee Bhow, accompanied by Sukaram Bappoo,⁴ the Carcoon of Mahadajee Punt Poorundhuree, on an expedition into the Carnatic, to punish some of the Deshmookhs who had driven out the Thannas of the Peishwa’s old creditor, Bappoojee Naik Barramutteekur. That person, by the interest of Rughoojee Bhonslay, had obtained the chouth and surdeshmookhee between the Kistna and Toongbuddra in farm from the Raja, for the annual sum of seven lacks of rupees; but the opposition he experienced, and the heavy charges for maintaining the troops, totally ruined him in a few years. The expense of the present expedition, which he was compelled to defray, added to his embarrassments, but he would not consent to relinquish the contract in favour of the Bhow, as was proposed to him. Sewdasheo Chimnajee levied contributions as far as the Toongbuddra and reduced the fort of Bhadur Benda, to which the Mahrattas had a claim of long standing.¹ On Sewdasheo Chimnajee’s return from this expedition, he was invested by the Raja with the same rank as had been enjoyed by his father,² and being ambitious and bolder than his cousin the Peishwa, he began to assume considerable power. He chose as his Carcoons Wasdeo Joshee and Rughoonath Huree, two able men who had been brought up under Kanhoojee Angria.