A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.88

v2.c36.88

Moodajee in the first instance would have acceded to the Governor-General’s views, but before any explanation had taken place, he had received intelligence of the designs at Bombay in favour of Rugoba, and of the vigorous preparations of his own countrymen at Poona; both of which, for obvious reasons, tended to deter him from entering on any immediate alliance. The favourite ambition of his family was however roused, and in a conversation with Lieutenant Watherstone, the agent deputed by Colonel Goddard, Moodajee admitted the great desire he entertained of embracing the proposal at a fit time; but whilst he wished to prolong the negotiation, he declined embarking in any enterprise at that period. Moodajee’s plan, which was not disclosed till some time after, differed from that of Mr. Hastings; it was similar to what Rughoojee seems to have intended on the death of Bajee Rao in 1740, and was more practicable than the one proposed.¹ Moodajee foresaw that opposition would be made to pretensions in his own person, but he knew there would be much less difficulty, and a powerful party against the Bramin administration, by his assuming the character of protector at Satara (his authority in Berar was nothing more), and declaring that his sole design was the restoration of the imprisoned Raja’s authority.