New History of the Marathas v1.c19.s1.15

v1.c19.s1.15

We may presume that Balaji Vishvanath as the representative of the Maratha Government at Poona, must have had a private hand in these affairs of Shāhu and might even have been consulted. His services must have been laid under requisition by the Mughal officials for supplies of provisions and materials of war. Balaji certainly carried out his duties securely in Poona in the midst of Mughal hosts occupying the country, and formed intimate contacts with several local families and persons of influence. His diplomatic skill and circumspect conduct, on the one hand in guarding the interests of his own nation in the midst of war, and, on the other, in forming friendships with several Mughal officials of high rank, became quite obvious under the delicate circumstances of the double government then prevailing, and must have been closely noticed and appreciated by Shāhu who was on the spot. It is also said that Balaji had secret means of approach to Begam Zinat-un-Nisa’s counsels and through her, guarded Shāhu’s interests at great risk to his life. The words applied to him by Shāhu viz. “a servant of incomparable ability,”* convey indeed a testimony involving personal experience.