New History of the Marathas v2.c25.27

v2.c25.27

Janoji though born of the younger mother was older in age than Mudhoji, who was the offspring of the elder queen, which gave rise to a complicated dispute about the succession and considerably weakened the position of that principality. Disregarding the injunction of his father, Mudhoji claimed the position of Senasaheb Subah and wrote letters to Janoji with an address proper only to a younger brother. The dispute was referred to the Peshwa, who coveted a large amount for the succession fee. Janoji's adviser Devajipant Chorghode went to Poona and obtained the Peshwa's decision in his master's favour by promising to pay two and a half lacs as nazar. The Peshwa was at the moment proceeding to Savanur and invited both the brothers to join him. They complied and attended, with the result that the question of succession to the Nagpur estate came to be abnormally postponed. At last a conference was held on the Godavari in March 1757 and it divided the estate in two parts, Janoji was declared the Senasaheb Subah, and Mudhoji was asked to rule at Chanda with the title of Sena-dhurandhar. The Peshwa ratified this decision after exacting a present of 20 lacs from the four brothers.¹ For a time the Bhosle brothers worked together and helped the Peshwa in his attack upon the Nizam at Sindkhed. But the domestic dissensions of the four brothers never came to an end, and as a result the Nagpur State fast declined in power and prestige.