New History of the Marathas v2.c24.s2.46

v2.c24.s2.46

The Peshwa could easily reconcile Sambhaji of Kolhapur. This prince came to Satara in 1746 and stayed there for six months. During this visit, the Peshwa assured him that he would support his (Sambhaji’s) succession after Shahu’s death. Rani Sakwarbai also supported this secret move. It was not then known that Tarabai would play a different game by putting forward as an heir, Ramraja whose existence even was not then suspected. Sakwarbai, it should be remembered, declared from her funeral pyre at the time of her Sati, “that Ramraja was a pretender and that Sambhaji alone was the rightful claimant to the Satara throne.” Thus Nanasaheb quietly pacified nearly all his antagonists and started on his Newai expedition at the end of 1747. He even effected in a personal interview, a very friendly understanding with Nasir Jang immediately after the death of Nizam-ul-mulk in May 1748. He conciliated Muzaffar Jang also in a private visit.