A History of the Mahrattas v1.c29.23

v1.c29.23

A.D. 1763.—These changes occasioned much discontent, but when Rugonath Rao, in order to gratify his revenge towards Gopaul Rao Putwurdhun, attacked and took the fort of Merich, it caused disaffection in many persons, who were before disposed to support him in the government during the minority of his nephew; and Gopaul Rao with several others, who had suffered by his measures, readily listened to overtures, which were made to them by Wittul Soondur, the minister of Nizam Ally.² This minister was a Bramin of the Yajurwedee tribe, who was raised to the office of Dewan with the title of Raja Pertabwunt, at the period when Nizam Ally confined his brother. Jealous, it is said, of the arrangement concluded by Moraud Khan,³ Wittul Soondur persuaded Nizam Ally that he had now an opportunity of completely reducing the Mahrattas; and that the most advisable policy was to overturn the government of the Concan Bramins, to declare Janojee Bhonslay regent, of which situation (the Raja of Satara being incompetent to the task of governing), it should be pretended that Janojee, by the death of Tara Bye, became the proper representative. To this scheme Janojee readily acceded; but Nizam Ally, whose duplicity rendered him true to no plan, whilst his minister was thus negotiating, secretly renewed a correspondence with the Raja of Kolapoor, by which he intended to have an eventual competitor in reserve, in case Janojee’s claims should prove inconvenient.¹ Everything seemed to promise success; Meer Moghul having been neglected by Rugonath Rao returned to his brother; Moraba Furnuwees, Sewdasheo Ramchundur, the son of Ramchundur Shenwee, Bhowan Rao, the dispossessed Pritee Needhee, Gopaul Rao Putwurdhun, and many other persons joined the Moghuls. The former agreement, known as the treaty of Pairgaom, was broken off before the districts were restored, and hostilities recommenced. Rugonath Rao was not prepared for this event, but derived the greatest assistance from his nephew, who, on this emergency, although still retained in a state of confinement, afforded his uncle the full support of his influence and counsel. Mulhar Rao Holkar and Dummajee Gaekwar were both present with Rugonath Rao; the army was not sufficient to contend with the undivided force which accompanied Nizam Ally, but they were lightly equipped; and that circumstance, in Holkar’s opinion, made them superior to the enemy. They advanced as if to give battle, but avoided an action, passed the Moghul army, and proceeded to Aurungabad, which they attempted to escalade, but were repulsed. On the approach of Nizam Ally they went off towards Berar, entered the districts of Janojee Bhonslay, and plundered in their usual manner. They levied a contribution of sixty thousand rupees from Mulkapoor, and, on being pursued, returned to Mungy-Pyetun; thence they turned off in a south-easterly direction, and committed great havoc in the Moghul territory. Nizam Ally followed them for some time, but seeing it was impossible to overtake them, he marched straight on Poona, which he determined to plunder; and Rugonath Rao, for the purpose of retaliation, proceeded towards Hyderabad.