New History of the Marathas v2.c25.25

v2.c25.25

1. The Nagpur succession.—The Bhosles of Nagpur and the Angrias of Kolaba were the two incorrigible chiefs whom the Peshwa with all his patience and diplomacy found it hard to reduce to obedience in his effort at unifying the Maratha State. It is now time to describe the Peshwa's dealings with them. Raghuji Bhosle's relations with the Peshwa have been amply detailed in the foregoing narrative. Shrewd and alert as both were, they fully realized the advantage of preserving amity with each other and fully co-operating in measures of mutual benefit. Raghuji long suffered from a stomach complaint and was almost bed-ridden during the last two or three years of his life. Raghuji not only made his name in the conquest of Bengal, but he also exhibited great heroism in subjugating the Gonds and creating the Nagpur State as a distinct entity in which he stands quite on a par with Malharrao Holkar or any of the Sindias. He colonized Nagpur and other cities with Maharashtrian elements and made his State a strong and wealthy base by training a large band of devoted co-workers in war and diplomacy.