A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.73

v1.c25.73

Dummajee continued to levy all the usual Mahratta dues in Guzerat undisputed, and an annual tribute from Kattywar, until the death of Momin Khan in February, 1743. Abdool Uzeez Khan, then at Aurungabad in the Deccan, was appointed his successor by an imperial firman, and immediately began to raise troops. After he had got together a few thousand men, he departed to assume the charge of his new government; passed Surat, and arrived near Baroach; but he was suddenly attacked at Oklaseer by Dummajee, or one of his relations, and his party totally destroyed. Abdool Uzeez Khan was never after heard of, and Futih Yab Khan, the supporter of Nasir Jung’s rebellion, was among the killed. Fukhir-ud-Dowlah was then sent from Delhi to take charge of Ahmedabad in 1744. At that period Dummajee was obliged to repair to Satara, until the dispute with Rughoojee Bhonslay and the Peishwa was settled; but a detachment of his troops, under his agent Rungajee, opposed Fukhir-ud-Dowlah and prevented him from obtaining possession. Khundee Rao Gaekwar, taking advantage of his brother Dummajee’s absence, made several important changes, removed Rungajee from Ahmedabad, and appointed an agent of his own in his stead. He also gave some support to Fukhir-ud-Dowlah, but Dummajee speedily returning dissolved their connection before it proved injurious to the Mahratta cause, by giving up to Khundee Rao the fort of Boorsut, the valuable district of Neriad, and appointing him his deputy at Baroda. Dummajee, by this judicious management, preserved an ascendancy over the numerous members of his own family, which was probably more difficult than other obstacles in maintaining his power in the province. He would not acknowledge Fukhir-ud-Dowlah, but supported Fidaee-ud-Deen Khan, the brother, and Mohtuffir Khan, the son of his old friend Momin Khan, in the government.