A History of the Mahrattas v2.c46.4

v2.c46.4

The young Peishwa, so far from being jealous of the superior accomplishments of his cousin, was pleased at hearing him commended, and frequently expressed a strong desire to procure his enlargement and cultivate his friendship. In vain did the cautious Nana Furnuwees advise him to beware of the sapling, however comely, which sprung from the weakness of Rugonath Rao and the wickedness of Anundee Bye: the greater the restraint, the stronger the inclination; but Mahdoo Rao was watched, and Bajee Rao was a close prisoner. The latter, however, having discovered the favourable disposition of the Peishwa towards him, and having at last gained Bulwunt Rao Nagonath, he conveyed a message with assurances of respect and attachment, adding that ‘he was in confinement at Sewneree and the Peishwa under the control of his minister;—that their condition as prisoners was nearly similar, but that their minds and affections were free, and should be devoted to each other;—that their ancestors had distinguished themselves, and that the time would arrive, when his cousin and himself might hope to emulate their deeds, and raise themselves a lasting and honourable name.’ This message was the commencement of a correspondence, which began shortly after the return of the army to Poona and continued for some time, till at length it came to the knowledge of Nana, who betrayed a rage altogether unusual at the discovery. He immediately threw Bulwunt Rao Nagonath into a hill-fort loaded with irons, severely reproached Mahdoo Rao, and rendered the strictness of Bajee Rao’s confinement far more rigid than before. Mahdoo Rao already galled by restraint and irritated by the insidious messages of his cousin, was overwhelmed with anger, disappointment, and grief; he refused absolutely to quit his apartment, and his absence from his usual place at the Durbar was imputed to fever. At the Dussera, which happened on the 22d October and was conducted with great splendour, he appeared amongst his troops, and in the evening received his chiefs and the ambassadors at his court in his accustomed manner; but his spirit was wounded to desperation, a fixed melancholy seized on his mind, and on the morning of the 25th (Oct. 25.) October he deliberately threw himself from a terrace in his palace, fractured two of his limbs, and was much wounded by the tube of a fountain on which he fell.¹ He survived for two days, and having particularly desired that Bajee Rao should be placed on the musnud, he expired in the arms of Baba Rao Phurkay, for whom he had entertained a strong affection.²