A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.38

Language: English

v1.c25.38.1

Before the succeeding events in the Deccan can be explained, it becomes necessary to revert to the eldest son of Nizam Ool Moolk, and to those affairs of the Imperial court, in which the Mahrattas were engaged. Ghazee-ud-deen Khan, although desirous of proceeding to the Deccan, had been detained at Delhi since the death of his father, and it seems probable from his commencing the negotiations with the Mahrattas that bribes may have been employed by his brothers, to ensure his being kept there. The Imperial court, soon after the accession of Ahmed Shah, was subjected to a fresh alarm, by intelligence of the return of Ahmed Shah Abdallee towards Lahore, of which, as well as of the province of Mooltan, Meer Munnoo, son of the late Vizier, Kummur-ud-deen Khan, was Governor. Meer Munnoo purchased the forbearance of the Abdallee by the cession of the revenues of four districts; and this expedient left the Vizier, Sufdur Jung, at liberty to follow up certain schemes, which he had in progress against the Rohillas. The growing power and encroachments of these adventurers excited the Vizier’s particular jealousy, as they threatened to extend themselves over his own territories in the province of Oude.

v1.c25.38.2

The death of Ali Mohummud Rohillah, which happened a short time before Sufdur Jung’s appointment as Vizier, had afforded him an opportunity of raising dissensions amongst those who pretended to the succession, and during the period when Ahmed Shah Abdallee threatened Lahore, civil war raged amongst the Rohillas.¹ At last, Sadoollah Khan, the third son of Ali Mohummud, by the abilities of Hafiz Rehmut, his guardian, became the successful competitor, and although his two elder brothers, who during the struggle were prisoners amongst the Abdallee, afterwards returned to claim their inheritance, Sadoollah Khan, whilst supported by Hafiz Rehmut, maintained the ascendancy he had gained.² But Sufdur Jung, as soon as apprehensions from the Abdallee were tranquillized, marched into Rohilcund, reduced the territory to temporary obedience, and appointed one of his dependants, a Kaeeth³ named Newul Raee, to be governor of his new conquests; the Rohillas, however, soon rose upon Newul Raee, whom they defeated and slew.

v1.c25.38.3

Sufdur Jung, proceeding to punish their rebellion, was also totally defeated, and therefore called to his aid Mulhar Rao Holkar, Jyapa Sindia, and the Jath Prince, Sooruj Mull.¹ With these auxiliaries he soon overran the country of the Rohillas, forced most of them to seek refuge in the Kumaoon hills, and gave up the greater part of their territory as assignments, in lieu of subsidy, to Holkar and Sindia.² Whilst Mahratta affairs were in this prosperous state in Hindoostan, their capital in the Deccan was, as we have seen, endangered by the advance of Sulabut Jung. Rugonath Rao, who had proceeded on an expedition to Surat, was recalled; and Mulhar Rao Holkar received the most pressing letters from the Peishwa to repair to the Deccan with or without Ghazee-ud-deen. Holkar, then near the Kumaoon hills, immediately on receipt of these letters, moved to the southward, and had crossed the Ganges, when he was informed by the Vizier, and by news from Delhi, that peace had been concluded in the Deccan. Upon this intelligence, Holkar wrote to the Peishwa, stating his readiness to advance to his aid, but that in consequence of these reports he should await further orders.³ In the meantime, the Vizier, Sufdur Jung, was summoned to Delhi, in consequence of another invasion of Ahmed Shah Abdallee, who on this occasion made himself master of Mooltan and Lahore; the entire cession of which was conferred upon him by the Emperor before Sufdur Jung could reach the capital.

v1.c25.38.4

Had it not been for this precipitate measure, the Vizier would have used every endeavour to expel the Abdallee, and had engaged Holkar and Sindia as auxiliaries, by promise of great rewards, the more necessary as they were obliged to withdraw their troops from the lately assigned districts.⁴