A History of the Mahrattas v2.c44.25.3

v2.c44.25.3

but in their extreme anxiety at that time to avoid giving offence to the Poona court, a doubt suddenly arose as to the propriety of attacking the Raja of Kolapoor: for so ignorant were they at this late period of the existing relations in the Mahratta state, that they supposed him a dependant of the Peishwa. When the question was referred to Nana Furnuwees, he foresaw, as he conceived, an opportunity of drawing in the Kolapoor state to seek the Peishwa’s protection, and ultimately to yield obedience to the Poona government. Accordingly, by Nana’s address, the Raja was at first induced to accept the Peishwa’s mediation; but afterwards suspecting the design and hearing of the hostilities in which the English were about to be engaged with Tippoo, he suddenly revoked his consent, and piracy was never more frequent on the coast of Malabar than during the war with Mysore. It was an attempt to mediate between the Bombay Government and the Sawunts of Waree, that led the former to accuse Sindia of the improper interference to which we have alluded. However, some compromise through Sindia was agreed on with respect to the Sawunts, and an armament was prepared against the Kolapoor Raja in 1792.