A History of the Mahrattas v2.c33.10

v2.c33.10

A.D. 1773.—After the murder of Narrain Rao, during the progress of Rugonath Rao’s warfare with the Nizam in the neighbourhood of Beder, the reports circulated by his enemies of his probable death or deposition induced the Bombay Government to deliberate on what would then be the state of their relations with the Mahrattas. They concluded that the family of the Peishwa, with whom only they had existing treaties, must become extinct by the demise of Rugoba; and they conceived that their engagements with the Poona government only existed whilst that family continued at the head of the administration. Accordingly, without further scruple they determined that should either of the events alluded to take place, they would possess themselves of Salsette by force of arms.² The ready credit given to those unfavourable rumours at Bombay, and a subsequent hasty belief in the rising fortunes of Rugoba, are attributable to the same bias; a desire of the President and Council to fulfil the object of their employers, and court their favour by possessing themselves, and that too at all events, of the long coveted islands.