New History of the Marathas v2.c24.s2.27

v2.c24.s2.27

Many factors combined to sadden the last years of Shahu. His two queens, Sakwarbai the elder and Sagunabai the younger, interfered in the administration and carried on incessant intrigues thereby often worrying their husband to death. He loved the younger wife better as she was soft-hearted and not so violent openly. Shahu’s household was for long satisfactorily controlled by his illegitimate wife Virubai, a capable woman, who most carefully and lovingly looked after the personal comfort of the king and who exercised a healthy control over the two queens. This Virubai’s death on 24th December 1740, caused a rapid decline in the management of the royal household. Gradually Shahu became so enfeebled and helpless that he would not allow the Peshwa to move away from his side for fear of some unforeseen danger overtaking him all of a sudden. His own ill-health, his two queens’ intrigues, Tarabai’s independent move to secure power, the selfish animosities of some of the powerful chiefs such as Raghuji Bhosle, Murarrao Ghorpade, the Angria brothers &c., these and other subjects the Peshwa was called upon to handle, and it must be said to his credit that he did all that was possible to safeguard the public interests under the circumstances, with the counsel and co-operation of some of his own supporters, such as Sindia, Holkar, the Purandares and Chitnis. Let us review how the final position developed.²