A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.1

v1.c25.1

PREVIOUSLY to Shao’s demise, orders in his name had been sent to Yeswunt Rao Dhabaray and Rughoojee Bhonslay, requiring their presence at Satara. The former had become totally imbecile from habits of debauchery, and, as had probably been foreseen, neither Dhabaray nor Dummajee Gaekwar, the commander of his army, attended. Most of the other Jagheerdars were present, but if any were disposed to resist the Peishwa’s authority, they remained passive, until they should see what part Rughoojee Bhonslay would assume. But Rughoojee’s ambition was now controlled by the caution of age and the admonition of experience. He was not only intent on directing annual incursions into Bengal, but owing to the absence of his son Janojee, who accompanied Nasir Jung into the Carnatic with ten thousand horse, and to the number of troops which he was compelled to leave in his own territories, he arrived at Satara in the month of January, 1750, with a force only estimated at 12,000 men. His disposition was pacific towards the Peishwa, but he made some demur in acknowledging Ram Raja. He required, in testimony of his being a Bhonslay and the grandson of Raja Ram, that Tara Bye should first eat with him in presence of the cast, deposing on the food they ate together that Ram Raja was her grandson. On this being complied with in the most solemn manner, Rughoojee declared himself satisfied; and after a long conference with the Peishwa, he gave his assent to the propriety of the plans submitted for his consideration. As a proof of the good understanding which subsisted between them, Ballajee took occasion to proceed in advance to Poona, leaving the Raja in Rughoojee’s charge, and requesting that he would accompany him to Poona with the whole of the Jagheerdars, for the purpose of concluding the arrangements made by the will of the late Raja. From this period Poona may be considered the capital of the Mahrattas. Ballajee, in the success of his schemes, almost overlooked Tara Bye; but although upwards of seventy years of age, she soon convinced him that it was dangerous to slight a woman of her spirit. On pretence of paying her devotions at the tomb erected over her husband's ashes in the fort of Singurh, she went there and endeavoured to persuade the Punt Suchew to declare for her as head of the Mahratta empire. Ballajee, after much persuasion, induced her to come to Poona, and having flattered her ambition with the hope of having a large share in the administration, at last obtained her influence with Ram Raja in confirming the many schemes he had now to carry into effect.