New History of the Marathas v2.c24.63

v2.c24.63

7. Balaji wins the Peshwaship.—How Balaji contrived to secure his appointment to the Peshwa’s office is an interesting story. He won over to Shahu’s cause another opponent greater in resources and valour than Chandrasen, viz. Kanhoji Angre, the warden of the west coast and head of the Maratha navy, whose career has become well-known in Anglo-Indian history. Kanhoji had vastly extended his power during the regime of Tarabai and readily joined Shahu on his arrival from the imperial camp and tendered his obedience and help to him. But after the defection of Chandrasen Jadhav, he went over to Tarabai’s party and started war upon Shahu. He captured several forts above the Ghats belonging to Shahu, who sent his Peshwa Bahiropant Pingle to put him down. But Bahiropant was no match for Kanhoji, who seized and confined him at Kolaba and almost threatened Shahu’s capital of Satara. Tarabai’s triumph during the monsoon months of 1713 knew no bounds. At this very moment the highly capable Nizam-ul-Mulk was made the Emperor’s Subahdar in the Deccan, thereby menacing Shahu’s position still more.