A History of the Mahrattas v2.c50.11

v2.c50.11

interest on loans, and who were the means by which the needy government of the Gaekwar was at once supplied and impoverished. Both these persons had acceded to the deposition of Kanhojee, so that Rowjee’s party was the strongest at Baroda; but the cause of Kanhojee was espoused by Mulhar Rao Gaekwar, the first cousin of the late Govind Rao and son and successor to Khundee Rao, the Jagheerdar of Kurree, a man of considerable talent and enterprise. On promise of a remission of arrears and exemption from future tribute on the patr of Kanhojee, Mulhar Rao, although he had at first acquiesced in the propriety of deposing and confining him, took the field at the head of a considerable army in aid of his cause, and began to reduce the garrisons held for Anund Rao under the administration of Rowjee. The minister immediately proposed to the Bombay Government to subsidize five battalions, on condition of being supported against Mulhar Rao, an offer too tempting to be resisted; but the Governor-General having sent no reply to Mr. Duncan’s numerous applications for instructions, it was determined, with that injudicious caution which characterizes half-measures, to send a small auxiliary force of about 1,600 men to Rowjee’s support. Major Alexander Walker, the officer in command of the detachment, was instructed to settle the disturbance by amicable mediation, if possible; otherwise, he was to act with Babajee, the brother of Rowjee, in suppressing the rebellion of Mulhar Rao. Major Walker’s detachment joined the Gaekwar’s army in the end of February, 1802, and advanced with it towards Kurree. Mulhar Rao, affecting regret for what he had done, offered to restore the places he had taken, and seemed sincerely desirous of making his peace: it was, however, soon discovered that he was insincere in his professions: the army advanced, Mulhar Rao continued to negotiate, but suddenly and in a most treacherous manner attacked the troops, and was repulsed by the British detachment, though they lost on the occasion about fifty men. It being, however, afterwards discovered that Mulhar Rao had seduced many of the Gaekwar’s troops, Major Walker’s situation became critical, and all the disposable troops at Bombay and Goa were immediately embarked under the command of Colonel Sir William Clarke, who landed at Cambay on the 12th of April, marched on the 14th, and joined Major Walker at Kurree, who had acted chiefly on the