A History of the Mahrattas v2.c35.64

v2.c35.64

In regard to affairs in Berar it has been already shown that Moodajee, after the fall of Sabajee in 1775, was acknowledged regent. But Ibrahim Beg (Dhonsa), the intimate friend of Sabajee, was sent by Nizam Ally, as was pretended, to avenge his fate, but in fact to take advantage of a strong party against Moodajee, who, conscious of inability to oppose the force sent against him, surrendered the forts of Gawelgurh, Nurnalla, Manikdroog, and Chunderpoor, as the price of peace. Nizam Ally, however, restored those forts shortly afterwards, on the occasion of his coming to Elichpoor, when Moodajee, accompanied by his son Rughoojee, Sena Sahib Soobeh, manifested the humblest submission, entered into an agreement of faithful co-operation, and bound himself to suppress the depredations of the Goands,¹ who were at that time troublesome in the districts of Nizam Ally. A like submissive demeanour towards the Poona Durbar, and a bond for the payment of ten lacks of rupees, obtained a confirmation of the regency, through the favour of Nana Furnuwees. Sabajee had always kept a wukeel at Calcutta; and the same custom was observed by Moodajee, as it was convenient on account of his possessions in Kuttack. The Governor- General, however, both misunderstood the relative situation of Moodajee in the Mahratta empire, and over-estimated his power.