A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.67

v1.c25.67

The Peishwa had no sooner made the arrangements immediately necessary for the occupation of the districts ceded to him, and their appropriation amongst the chiefs, than he prepared a large force for an expedition into the Carnatic. The troops of Mysore were engaged as allies of the French in the well-known war of Coromandel, and the period was so favourable for recovering arrears of tribute, that he on that account deferred other plans which he had projected on the side of Guzerat. But before he took his departure in person, Ballajee endeavoured to pave the way for effecting a compromise with Tara Bye. During his absence at Aurungabad, she had occupied the districts of Waee and Satara, aided by five or six thousand Mahrattas and Ramoosees, whom she had entertained in her service. A large force was therefore sent to invest Satara and starve her into submission. Anund Rao Jadow, the havildar of the fort, convinced of the folly of resistance, had formed a design of carrying the Raja out of her power, but the circumstances coming to her knowledge, she ordered him to be beheaded, a sentence which the garrison executed on their own commander, as well as several others subsequently implicated in a like scheme. Baboo Rao Jadow, a person unconnected with the late havildar and a relation of the Jadows of Sindkheir, was appointed to the command of the fort. The Peishwa, on his way to the Carnatic, sent to assure Tara Bye that if she would submit, the control of the Raja’s person and establishment should remain at her disposal; but to this proposal Tara Bye would not listen unless Ballajee Bajee Rao would come to Satara, acknowledge her authority, and give such personal assurances as should satisfy her on the subject.