A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.20

v1.c25.20

Ballajee Bajee Rao, on the plea of requiring money to assist his ally Ghazee-ud-deen, demanded a contribution from Syud Lushkur Khan,¹ then Governor of Aurungabad, the secret friend of Ghazee-ud-deen, which, on pretence of coercion, Syud Lushkur Khan levied to the amount of fifteen lacks of rupees. On obtaining this supply, the Peishwa proceeded to the banks of the Kistna in order to oppose Sulabut Jung, who, attended by the French corps under Monsieur Bussy, was advancing towards Hyderabad. The armies had scarcely come in sight of each other when news from Satara, of an alarming nature, was received by the Peishwa, in consequence of which he closed with the first overtures made by Sulabut Jung, and returned to the westward with the utmost expedition.²