New History of the Marathas v2.c31.23

v2.c31.23

Having effected these changes Raghunathrao left Alegaon on 6th December in full force and spent about a week at Satara, ensuring Ramraja’s support. Dabhade was at this time deprived of the office of Senapati, which now was conferred upon Ramchandra Jadhav, and that of the Nyayadhish upon Vithal Shivdeo, with the provision of a jagir in each case. The office of the Pratinidhi could not be so easily disposed of. The Pratinidhi’s Mutalik, Gamaji Yamaji was a powerful man, a relation of Vithal Sundar, now in league with Gopalrao Patwardhan. Raghunathrao cut the knot by appointing his own infant son Bhaskarrao to that office with Naro Shankar to perform the active duties. This ridiculous change soon provided the spark for an explosion. The infant Bhaskarrao died within three months of his elevation to the dignity, and his deputy Naro Shankar succeeded to the post. These uncalled for changes roused a general discontent throughout the land, which was voiced by the Brahman community in an open letter of protest to Raghunathrao. They pointed out that he was ruining the State by seeking the help of the Nizam, said that it was sad to keep the Peshwa’s mother under detention and that several devoted servants had to flee the country for safety. The Brahmans roundly ascribed the trouble to Raghunathrao’s evil genius Sakharam Bapu.