A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.26

v1.c25.26

Dummajee Gaekwar was the only person whom the Peishwa dreaded; but as he was a close prisoner at Poona, Ballajee now proceeded towards Aurungabad, in prosecution of his engagements with Ghazee-ud-deen, and wherever Sulabut Jung’s authority was acknowledged, he carried on the usual Mahratta plan of contribution or plunder. Monsieur Bussy, who was the principal adviser in directing the movements of the Moghul army, was himself at the head of a battalion of five hundred Europeans and a body of five thousand disciplined Sepoys, and, as the best means of repelling these aggressions, recommended that the war should be carried into the Mahratta country. Sulabut Jung advanced accordingly to Ahmednugur, where he deposited his heavy stores and baggage, whilst Raja Rugonath Dass, his prime minister, opened a communication with Tara Bye ¹ and also with Sumbhajee, Raja of Kolapoor.² The Peishwa and his officers were not prepared for this unexpected plan of operations, and were proportionally disconcerted on finding their own schemes anticipated. They had intended, by supporting Ghazee-ud-deen or Sulabut Jung according to circumstances, to weaken both; to conquer the whole Deccan; or to obtain large cessions, which, they foresaw, must at all events be granted to them by the one party or the other. To repel Sulabut Jung they had recourse to the Mahratta system, and with forty thousand horse surrounded and attacked the Moghul army in their usual desultory manner; but the French artillery, consisting of eight or ten field pieces, galled them severely, and the Moghuls, supported by this powerful auxiliary, advanced towards Poona, totally destroying every village in their route. The Peishwa, alarmed at their progress, endeavoured to negotiate; and at the same time to augment dissension and jealousy, which had already become considerable among Sulabut Jung’s officers in regard to the views of the French. Monsieur Bussy, as the best means of counteracting such schemes and securing his influence, exerted himself with judgment and energy. On one occasion he planned an attack on the Mahratta camp, and chose the night of the 22d November, at the moment of an eclipse of the moon,¹ when the Hindoos are employed in devotional exercises. The whole Mahratta army fled before him, and some valuable booty was taken, particularly some gold utensils belonging to the Peishwa. This exploit, although the Mahrattas sustained very little loss,² made a great impression, and had perhaps more effect in raising the reputation of Bussy amongst the natives of India, than affairs of moment, where he displayed much ability and decision.