New History of the Marathas v2.c31.15

v2.c31.15

The months from June onward in that year (1762) witnessed an abnormal agitation at Poona as the ill-feeling that was brewing between the two parties for some time past now flared up afresh. Discussion, mediation, arbitration and other methods of conciliating R'rao were in vain tried openly and privately, in full Darbars and in personal meetings. But R'rao's restless ambition to gather supreme power in his own hand and to conduct the State affairs himself unfettered, made him reject all efforts to effect a reconciliation. Gopikabai, Madhavrao, Trimbakrao, all spoke out their minds freely; only Sakharam Bapu continued to speak in such an ambiguous and involved manner that no definite formula could be evolved.