New History of the Marathas v2.c31.17

v2.c31.17

Madhavrao and his advisers, realizing that Raghunathrao was not a man to scruple to go to any length, at once prepared to accept the challenge and decide the issue by an open contest. For a time quite a race went on for securing adherents by exchange of oaths, while negotiations for a peaceful solution continued to the last minute, in which Ram Shastri, Krishnarao Parasnis, Gangadhar Bhat Karve and other respectable mediators tried their utmost. There indeed was a large number of disinterested persons fully loyal to the State, who found themselves perplexed as to which party they should join, having been approached by both. Gopikabai’s brother Malharrao Raste, e.g., joined the uncle’s party, while Anandrao and the other brothers remained faithful to Madhavrao.