A History of the Mahrattas v2.c44.17

v2.c44.17

The Seedees of Jinjeera plundered all nations, except the English, nor did they always escape. Several revolutions had taken place in this small principality. In 1762, Seedee Yakoot, by the will of the regent Seedee Ibrahim, succeeded to the government in prejudice to Seedee Abdool Rahim, who was considered the nearest heir. Abdool Rahim endeavoured to obtain possession by force, and was secretly reinforced by the Mahrattas. The English took part with the reigning chief, and having failed in an attempt to arbitrate the difference, they assisted to repel Abdool Rahim, who being defeated fled to Poona. Seedee Yakoot apprehending that the Peishwa might openly espouse Abdool Rahim’s cause offered a compromise, promising him Dhunda Rajepoor and the succession to Jinjeera at his death; a proposal which was accepted, and Abdool Rahim succeeded accordingly. But Seedee Yakoot had made a will bequeathing the principality to the second son of Abdool Rahim at his father's death, under the guardianship, in case of a minority, of his own friend Seedee Johur, who was commandant of Jinjeera. Abdool Rahim died shortly after in 1784; but, without paying any regard to the will of Seedee Yakoot, he had bequeathed the principality to his eldest son, Abdool Khureem Khan, commonly called Balloo Meah.¹ Seedee Johur, however, defended his pretensions, founded on the will of Seedee Yakoot, and endeavoured to arrest Balloo Meah; but he, being apprised of the scheme, fled to Poona, carrying with him his younger brother, whom Seedee Johur wished to set up. Nana Furnuwees, in hopes that it was reserved for him to annex the unconquerable island to the Mahratta possessions, prepared to support the cause of Abdool Khureem Khan; Seedee Johur, however, called on the English for protection, expressed his readiness to comply with any reasonable arbitration satisfactory to the inhabitants, but declaring his determination to resist the Mahrattas and the obnoxious Balloo Meah, ‘whilst the rock of Jinjeera remained and a man to stand by him.’ Nana Furnuwees, at the request of the Bombay Government, agreed to suspend operations, until a reference could be made to Lord Cornwallis on the subject. It being at that time a great object of the Governor-General's policy to gain the friendship of the Poona court, and it being generally believed that Seedee Johur was only striving to get the younger brother into his power as a cloak to meditated usurpation, Lord Cornwallis directed the Bombay Government not to support him. He also intimated to the Peishwa that, if he would make an adequate provision for the sons of the late Abdool Khureem Khan in some other part of the country, he might then take possession of the Seedee's territory. The Mahrattas, however, without making the provision stipulated, attempted clandestinely to possess themselves of Jinjeera, which no sooner came to the knowledge of the Governor-General, than he suspended the permission he had given. At length, when the treaty of alliance against Tippoo was concluded, the Peishwa having granted to Balloo Meah and his brother a tract of land near Surat,² guaranteed by the English and yielding annually 75,000 rupees; having also given them 40,000 rupees in ready money, the heirs to the Jinjeera principality relinquished their right and title in favour of the Peishwa. The agreement was signed on the 6th June, 1791;—but the castle may fall whilst the cottage stands; the little island was never reduced, and the principality of Jinjeera has survived the empire of the Peishwas.