A History of the Mahrattas v2.c37.76

v2.c37.76

Mr. Hastings, although Moodajee Bhonslay had acquiesced in the scheme of a general confederacy against the English, perceived that he might still ultimately indulge the hope of an alliance with them at some favourable period; but, from the crisis to which events were hastening, he began to doubt whether the neutrality privately professed by Moodajee could be lasting. The Governor-General was sensible of an influence which Nizam Ally, although in reality an enemy, possessed over the ruler of Berar, through his, Moodajee’s, dewan, Dewakur Punt, without whose counsel Moodajee decided on no political measure. The power of Hyder Ally was such that peace with the Mahrattas seemed necessary to the safety of the British in India; but, in the adversity which threatened them, it seemed less difficult to engage Moodajee as a mediator than as an ally. Under these circumstances, Mr. Hastings offered peace to the Peishwa’s government through Moodajee early in the month of October, on the following terms:—Ahmedabad to be retained for Futih Sing; Gwalior for the Rana of Gohud; and Bassein, if in possession of the Company at the time, to be kept by them; but the whole of the other acquisitions made since the 1st January, 1779, to be restored; a provision to be made for Rugonath Rao during his life, and a place of residence fixed wherever he might desire, except in the neighbourhood of Bombay; at all events, no assistance to be afforded by the British Government in reasserting his pretensions. Such were the conditions offered, provided the Peishwa’s government agreed to enter on an alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Company against Hyder Ally and the French nation; but, if the alliance thus tendered should not be accepted, a peace was proposed, by each party retaining its respective conquests. Moodajee Bhonslay was to be the declared mediator and guarantee; the subordinate Governments in India, and all officers commanding divisions of British troops were to desist from hostilities upon the Peishwa’s intimating that he had sent like orders to the commanders of his armies. But before these proposals reached Nagpoor, news had arrived of the disastrous affair where Colonel Baillie’s detachment was destroyed by Hyder Ally near Conjevaram on the 10th September,¹ on which Moodajee, concluding that the Company’s affairs were desperate, hesitated in becoming mediator, unless on terms to which the Governor-General and Council would not accede.