A History of the Mahrattas v2.c57.81

v2.c57.81

We left Appa Sahib in February, 1817, established in the regency. It was not discovered, at the time, that he had been accessory to the death of the Raja Pursajee; and he was therefore proclaimed his successor by the name of Moodajee Bhonslay. The emissaries of the Peishwa were so successful at Nagpoor, that until the feigned insurrection, set up by Bajee Rao under Trimbukjee, was checked, Appa Sahib had pledged himself to take part in the warfare begun in that insidious manner; but on hearing of the Peishwa's submission he completely changed his conduct, and, although he continued in constant correspondence with Poona, the Resident did not anticipate any more serious departure from the terms of his alliance, until it was known that the Peishwa had attacked the British troops. Upon this intelligence Appa Sahib secretly determined to make common cause with him, and immediately exerted himself, by every means in his power, to augment his military establishment. Mr. Jenkins, on perceiving these preparations, sent to Colonel Adams, requesting that a brigade of his division might be left to the southward of the Nerbuddah, and that a part of it should be held ready to march on Nagpoor. This application, however, was merely precautionary; Appa Sahib betrayed no other indication of hostile designs; on the contrary, he was profuse in his professions of friendship, and inveighed bitterly against the conduct of Bajee Rao, in treacherously attacking the English: but on the night of the 24th November he sent to inform Mr. Jenkins that a khillut had arrived for him from the Peishwa, who had also sent him a Juree Putka, and conferred on him the title of Senaputtee; that he intended to go in state to his camp to receive these honours next day, and invited the Resident to be present at the ceremony. Mr. Jenkins’s remonstrances against such a proceeding were, of course, of no avail; the insignia were received, and Appa Sahib’s troops immediately took up positions in the vicinity of the Residency, so threatening, that Mr. Jenkins was induced to call in the brigade from its cantonment, about three miles westward of the city. Next day appearances were so hostile that preparations for defending the Residency became necessary, and an express was dispatched to call in the 2d division of the Deccan army, under General Doveton. The whole force at Nagpoor consisted of a brigade of two battalions of Madras native infantry, the 1st battalion 20th regiment, and 1st battalion 24th regiment, both considerably reduced by sickness; the Resident’s escort of two companies of native infantry, three troops of the 6th regiment of Bengal native cavalry, and four six-pounders, manned by Europeans of the Madras artillery. Lieutenant-Colonel Hopeton Scott was the senior officer.