A History of the Mahrattas v2.c55.57.3

v2.c55.57.3

Having come to pay his respects to the Peishwa on his route to the Carnatic, Bajee Rao desired him to give up the fort to Trimbukjee. ‘If Your Highness,’ replied the Killidar, ‘will send a gentleman to relieve me in the command, or if you will send a Carcoon in your own name, to whom I can commit my charge, your servant will present the keys to him, but I will never give over the fort of Dharwar to such a person as Trimbukjee Dainglia.’ In consequence of this speech, as soon as he had reached the door of the Peishwa’s tent, he was arrested, bound, and tortured by Trimbukjee, until a promise of surrender was extorted. His Carcoon, a Bramin on whom the Killidar could rely, was dispatched with Trimbukjee, who, accompanied by a body of troops, proceeded to take possession; but, on approaching the gate, the Carcoon begged permission to go on a few minutes in advance of the party, that he might speak to the garrison and make some arrangements; when, no sooner had he got inside, than he shut the gate, and on pretence of being detained by the garrison opened a fire on Trimbukjee and his followers, who were obliged to retire with precipitation. This insult could not be resented at the time, nor until the Peishwa’s return to Poona, when Dharwar was invested; but the faithful Carcoon did not surrender until an order was obtained from his imprisoned master, through the interposition of Bappoo Gokla.