A History of the Mahrattas v1.c27.20.3

v1.c27.20.3

Very shortly after this reconciliation, intelligence was received that Ramchundur Jadow, proceeding to pay his respects and join the army of Sulabut Jung, was attacked, surrounded, and driven into the town of Sindkheir, where he was besieged by the Peishwa’s troops.¹ Orders of march were instantly issued, but the same influence which hitherto had prevented Sulabut Jung from falling into the power of his enemies, once more frustrated their designs. He would not move. Nizam Ally, however, proceeded to Sindkheir, went through the farce of rescuing Ramchundur Jadow, of beating the Mahrattas, and compelling them to make peace. Although the latter, with more show of reason, afterwards claimed the victory, the nominal defeat was a disgrace to which Ballajee Rao would willingly have submitted, in consequence of his having received a cession of territory, yielding an annual revenue of upwards of twenty-five lacks of rupees.¹ How Nizam Ally could reconcile this transaction to his brother cannot be ascertained, and can only be accounted for by supposing that the agreement was secret. Ballajee Rao returned with Nizam Ally to Aurungabad as a friend; but the arrival of Bussy, with a well-appointed force consisting of two hundred European cavalry, five hundred European infantry, five thousand Sepoys, and ten field-pieces, besides his detachment with Sulabut Jung, threw the whole cabal into confusion; and, except the audacious Nizam Ally, intimidated the rest of the conspirators.