A History of the Mahrattas v1.c25.9

v1.c25.9

The Peishwa, in the measures which have been detailed, owed much of his success to his Dewan Mahadajee Punt; who, next to his cousin Sewdasheo Rao, possessed greater influence over Ballajee Bajee Rao than any other person. Sewdasheo Rao Bhow, on his expedition to Sangola, was accompanied by Ram Raja, for the purpose of giving Yemmajee Sewdeo no excuse for resistance; and during their stay at that place, the Raja agreed to renounce the entire power and to lend his sanction to whatever measures the Peishwa might pursue, provided a small tract around Satara was assigned to his own management; conditions to which Ballajee Rao subscribed, but they were never fulfilled. The Raja, under a strong escort, returned from Sangola to Satara, when an extraordinary difference arose between the Peishwa and his cousin Sewdasheo Rao, which had well-nigh overturned the whole of the plan which Ballajee Rao had been labouring to establish.