A History of the Mahrattas v2.c44.15

v2.c44.15

Mannajee Angria of Kolabah continued in obedience to the Peishwa’s authority until his death, which happened in 1759. His son Rughoojee professed equal submission, but only obeyed when it suited his convenience. His piracies on the trading ships of the English were conducted in the same manner as the aggressions of the Peishwa. In November, 1793, Rughoojee died, when, without reference to the Poona court, the sovereignty was assumed in the name of his infant son Mannajee under the guardianship of Jey Sing Angria. By this usurpation, as it was termed, in those who had not power to support their pretensions, Mannajee and Jey Sing incurred the enmity of the Poona minister, of which Sindia’s successor, Doulut Rao, at a subsequent period took advantage, and raised a member of the family of Angria who was nearly allied to himself to the chiefship of that principality, a change which gave no umbrage to the English, because the reigning party, so far from courting their friendship, had most unjustifiably made prize of some of their ships.²