A History of the Mahrattas v2.c41.39

v2.c41.39

Himmut Buhadur accompanied Sindia on his first advance to Delhi in 1784: he was left in charge of Muttra when Sindia retreated to Gwalior, and by means of a secret understanding, which he contrived to establish with Ismael Beg and Gholam Kawdir, he continued unmolested. Sindia, who knew that the sole object of Himmut Buhadur was to obtain a Jagheer for himself from either of the contending parties, had, on a former occasion, in consequence of the Gosaeen’s misconduct, resumed, and afterwards on promised amendment restored, the lands granted for the support of his followers; and although he pretended, on his return, to be highly satisfied with the Gosaeen for retaining possession of the Jagheer, he determined to deprive him of it on the first opportunity. Sindia’s chief causes of displeasure arose from finding that he was engaged in secret intrigues with Holkar and Ali Buhadur, the partisans of Nana Furnuwees; and that he persisted in an intercourse he had long kept up with the Nabob Vizier, in whose dominions he had at a former period sought refuge, when apprehensive of Sindia’s enmity. At length, on pretence that the Gosaeen was employed in magical arts to take away his life, Sindia sent a party of troops who seized Himmut Buhadur at Muttra, and were conveying him to their master; but the camp of Ali Buhadur being contiguous to the road by which the prisoner was brought, he contrived to elude his guards and gain the tent of Ali Buhadur, before they could secure him. It was in vain that Sindia remonstrated; Ali Buhadur declared he could not surrender the person of Himmut Buhadur without an order from the Peishwa; and in the meantime, before any answer could be obtained from Poona, he connived at his escape to Lucknow.