New History of the Marathas v2.c31.16

v2.c31.16

Madhavrao anxious to live in amity with his uncle pleaded for his cooperation on bended knees. But his appeals fell on deaf ears: Malharrao Holkar also arrived at Poona and participated in the discussions. At the end of a month's vacillation, R'rao came forth with an open demand for a separate jagir yielding an annual income of ten lacs in addition to five important forts. The Peshwa could not tolerate such a rival power and stoutly opposed the demand. Under such a tension a report went out that the Peshwa contemplated the seizure of his uncle and keeping him in confinement. Alarmed by such fears Raghunathrao suddenly left Poona on 22nd August, and went to the nearby village of Wadgoan, where the Peshwa and his mother immediately followed him inviting him to return. Outwardly signifying compliance with these importunities, Raghunathrao suddenly decamped with a few followers and by way of Koregaon and Ahmadnagar, reached Vinchur near Nasik, where Sakharam Bapu had secured the support of Vithal Shivdev. Here soon arrived Aba Purandare, Naro Shankar Raja Bahadur, and Bahiro Anant, partizans of Raghunathrao and these in concert prepared to fight the Peshwa's party, having secretly arranged to secure the support of Janoji Bhosle and Nizam Ali. Soon the signal went round and a considerable force of some fifty thousand including the Nizam's contingent, became ready to march upon Poona.