A History of the Mahrattas v2.c47.4

v2.c47.4

The difference, however, which thus arose, Bajee Rao was at no pains to adjust; it weakened the confederacy which Nana Furnuwees had formed, and the great power he so lately combined was still more shaken by the death of Tookajee Holkar. (August 15th.) Holkar left two legitimate sons, Khassee Rao and Mulhar Rao; and two by a concubine, Jeswunt Rao and Wittoojee. Khassee Rao was imbecile both in mind and body, but Mulhar Rao was in every respect qualified to support the fortunes of the house. Disputes soon arose between the brothers, in which the illegitimate sons took the part of Mulhar Rao, who in a few days removed from his late father's camp with a small body of troops and took up his abode at Bambooree,¹ a village in the suburbs of Poona, where he was secretly favoured by Nana Furnuwees. Sindia, who only watched for such an opportunity, on being solicited by Khassee Rao, readily afforded the aid of a body of troops for the purpose of apprehending Mulhar Rao, who refusing to surrender was attacked, and maintained a desperate defence until he was killed. His half-brothers made their escape, Jeswunt Rao to Nagpoor and Wittoojee to Kolapoor; but most of his handful of associates fell with him, and amongst others Sindia, Ruwee Rao of Lonee, a gallant soldier, whose fate was rendered more memorable from the fatal effects which the communication of the news had on his widow, who, on being told, dropped dead on the instant.