New History of the Marathas v2.c27.18

v2.c27.18

3. Raghunathrao’s mismanagement.—Let us now see what Raghunathrao did as the Peshwa’s representative in the north. The new Emperor Alamgir II was now fifty years old, having been born on 6th June 1699. He had spent all his life within the prison walls of the palace and never breathed the free atmosphere of the outside world. He was intensely devoted to his religion after the manner of the great ancestor whose title he now adopted. He entrusted to the Maratha agents (the Hingnes) the work of collecting taxes on pilgrims at Gaya and Kurukshetra, which used to be formerly done by Muslims. A *farman* to this effect was issued on 25th October 1754. The Emperor wished to give over the management of the two holy places Prayag and Benares to the Marathas, but he was powerless in this respect as the places were owned by Safdar Jang. Although strict in religious observances, Alamgir’s habits were licentious enough and he knew no moderation. He directed his lustful eyes on the youthful ladies of the imperial *zanana*.