A History of the Mahrattas v2.c44.11

v2.c44.11

Futih Sing Gaekwar, the regent at Baroda, died on the 21st December, 1789, in consequence of a fall from an upper story in his house. His younger brother, Mannajee Rao, who was then at Baroda, immediately assumed charge of the person and government of his brother Syajee. Govind Rao, the elder brother next to Syajee, with whose history the reader is already acquainted, was then residing in obscurity at a village in the neighbourhood of Poona, and presented a petition to the minister, praying to be acknowledged by the Peishwa as regent of the Gaekwar possessions. His claim was just, but Mannajee Rao, by paying a nuzur of rupees thirty-three lacks, thirteen thousand and one, and agreeing to pay up arrears due by Futih Sing, amounting to upwards of thirty-six lacks, was confirmed in his usurpation. Mahadajee Sindia however, as already alluded to, espoused the cause of Govind Rao, and procured a repeal of Mannajee's appointment; upon which Mannajee applied to the Bombay Government, claiming its protection on the terms of the treaty concluded with General Goddard by Futih Sing. As the treaty in question was superseded by that of Salbye, the English declined all interference on that ground; but by the talent of Mannajee’s agent, Goolab Raee, and the supposed imbecility of Govind Rao, they were induced to recommend, through Mr. Malet, that some friendly compromise should be adopted, as being for the benefit of the country and of all parties concerned. Nana Furnuwees concurred in this opinion, but Mahadajee Sindia and the partisans of Govind Rao objected to any compromise. The question, however, was at once set at rest by the death of Mannajee about 1st August, 1793. Still, Govind Rao found it difficult to obtain permission to quit the Peishwa’s capital. The ministers, without any regard to the exorbitant exactions already imposed on himself and his family, obliged Govind Rao to sign an agreement confirming the former stipulations, and ceding to the Peishwa the Gaekwar’s share of the districts south of the Taptee, formerly included in the cessions to the Company in 1780, together with his proportion of the customs of Surat; but, there being no service performed by the Peishwa towards the Gaekwar, beyond the mere confirmation of his rights as regent, the British Government objected to the cession, as a dismemberment of the Baroda territory contrary to the stipulations of the treaty of Salbye. The validity of this objection was immediately admitted by Nana Furnuwees, the instrument of cession was restored, and Govind Rao at last set out to assume his office, as undisputed regent at Baroda, on the 19th December, 1793.