A History of the Mahrattas v2.c46.27

v2.c46.27

The revolution which had taken place naturally tended to unite Bajee Rao and Nana Furnuwees; and a secret intercourse was carried on between them through the medium of an individual who afterwards became conspicuous. In the service of Nana Poorundhuree there was a Mahratta Sillidar, the natural son of the Patell of the village of Wangapoor near Poorundhur, who had contrived to attract the notice of Bajee Rao when he was taken from confinement at Sewneree, and who was afterwards permitted by Nana Poorundhuree to enter Bajee Rao’s service. Ballajee Koonjur,¹ for such was the name of the Sillidar, perceiving the situation of affairs, although he had little opportunity of consulting his master, visited Nana Furnuwees at Mhar, and conveyed the most friendly declarations and assurances on the part of Bajee Rao, begging of Nana to exert himself in their mutual behalf. No excitement to exertion was necessary: Nana Furnuwees had every engine at work. Baba Rao Phurkay, in command of the Peishwa’s household troops, had engaged to bring them over to him. Tookajee Holkar’s whole power and influence were ready at his signal, and he had opened a negotiation with Sindia, through Ryajee Patell, whom he knew to be inimical to Balloba Tattya, offering to Sindia the Jagheer of Pureshram Bhow Putwurdhun, the fort of Ahmednugur with territory yielding ten lacks of rupees, on condition that he would place Balloba Tattya in confinement, establish Bajee Rao on the musnud, and return with his army to Hindoostan. Thus far of his plans Nana Furnuwees communicated to Ballajee Koonjur, for Bajee Rao’s information.