A History of the Mahrattas v2.c32.95

v2.c32.95

Janojee Bhonslay was at Theur at the period of Mahdoo Rao’s death; but prior to that event, he had obtained his sanction to adopt Rughoojee, the eldest son of Moodajee, who was the only one of all the brothers that had issue; and Janojee not only made the adoption, but was said to have appointed Moodajee the guardian of his heir. Janojee died in the month of May near Tooljapoor: Moodajee and Sabajee each claimed the right of guardianship; but Durya Bye, the widow of Janojee, resisted the pretensions of both, assumed the government, and appointed Sabajee her general and Dewan. Moodajee, unfortunately for himself and his son, had hitherto maintained a connexion with Rugonath Rao, and his pretensions not being supported by Narrain Rao¹ or his ministers, he could only levy troops and assert his cause by force of arms. The Peishwa in vain interposed his advice: Moodajee’s party were much discouraged by the defection of a considerable number of the choice troops, who carried with them the Juree Putka of the Sena Sahib Soobeh; but notwithstanding the evil presage which this created amongst his men, he attacked his brother at Koombaree near Ankolah, where he was defeated with severe loss and compelled to flee with precipitation. The Peishwa’s agent at last procured a cessation of hostilities, but the brothers had scarcely met, when Durya Bye, quitting Sabajee,² joined Moodajee. The latter again took the field, obtained the aid of Ismael Khan Patan, Governor of Elichpoor, and renewed hostilities. Sabajee applied to the Nizam and solicited the Peishwa’s assistance; Rugonath Rao exhorted Moodajee to persevere; the Nizam joined Sabajee¹; but the attention of all India was arrested, and there was a momentary pause in the bustle of political affairs, by reports, which proved correct, of the murder of Narrain Rao Peishwa on the 30th of August.²