A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.23.4

v1.c25.23.4

Some of the Peishwa’s troops became impressed with an idea that she was a Deo (or good spirit), and others, that she was a Dyt (or evil spirit), but all the Mahrattas were so strongly of opinion that Tara Bye was the rightful regent, that Ballajee found there was more to be apprehended from proceeding to extremities than leaving her unmolested; although her party, to become formidable, only required a leader of reputation. Perplexing as the affair was in the meantime, the conduct of Tara Bye proved in the end advantageous to the Peishwa, as it took from him the odium of being the first to confine the Raja to the fort of Satara. Tara Bye did not merely confine him to the fort; his prison, which still exists, was a damp, stone dungeon, and his food was of the coarsest grain.