A History of the Mahrattas v2.c44.10

v2.c44.10

Rughoojee Bhonslay, the Raja of Nagpoor, did not, in this respect, follow the example of the generality of the Mahratta chieftains. His father Moodajee died in 1788, and besides Rughoojee, the eldest, he left two other sons, Khundoojee and Venkajee or Munnya Bappoo. Khundoojee had charge of the northern, and Venkajee of the southern districts, but Rughoojee, as heir of his uncle Janojee, was Sena Sahib Soobeh of the Mahratta empire, although until his father's death he was not considered as ruler of Berar. At the time when the confederacy was formed against Tippoo, Rughoojee, in consequence of a peremptory summons from the Peishwa, was constrained to repair to Poona, where he objected to being ordered upon an expedition where the Peishwa was not to command in person, and offered many other ineffectual excuses, until he at length privately explained to Nana Furnuwees his grounds for apprehending that his brother Khundoojee would usurp the sovereignty in his absence, upon which his presence was dispensed with, on promising to contribute ten lacks of rupees to assist in defraying the expenses of the war. Soon after his return to Nagpoor, his brother Khundoojee died, which relieved him from all apprehension of rivalry, and he soon after conferred on his brother Venkajee the districts of Chandah and Chuteesgurh in Jagheer. These were the only changes of importance amongst the eastern Mahrattas up to the period of Mahadajee Sindia's death. In the west, several events in regard to the Gaekwar, or Baroda state, require a summary notice.