New History of the Marathas v2.c31.3

v2.c31.3

Raghunathrao was of a weak and vacillating nature, self-indulgent and shamelessly sensual; his past mismanagement of the affairs of north India was a proof of his unfitness for the arduous task of guiding the State at this critical moment. He was, however, so vain-glorious as to boast that if he had been in command at Panipat, he would have won the day. It is no wonder that he now attempted to obtain the Peshwaship for himself and immediately addressed letters to the Emperor and to Shuja-ud-daula outlining his plans and seeking their support. But these dreams of Raghunathrao were doomed to failure, as not a single person in the administration would support his nomination to the Peshwaship in supercession of young Madhavrao's claim. He had to fall in reluctantly with the general sentiment. Madhavrao proceeded to Satara, as soon as the obsequies of the dead Peshwa were over, and on 20th July received the robes of office at the hands of the Chhatrapati. This proved an ominous start and foreboded stormy weather ahead. Raghunathrao had to remain sullenly content with the position of a mere adviser having no real power. A letter of 6th July written within a fortnight of the late Peshwa’s death, recorded that “difficult times are ahead. Sakharam Bapu and Baburao Phadnis are conducting the provisional administration”.