New History of the Marathas v2.c31.30

v2.c31.30

Poona shared a dreadful fate by a major portion of it being completely burnt down. Gopikabai had left the city and taken shelter at Sinhagad with her little son Narayanrao and jewellery and valuables. Most of the Poona gentry ran for safety to different places and forts. The idols of the temples on the Parvati hill were broken and desecrated. Naro Appaji had paid a huge ransom to Nizam Ali to purchase the safety of the town, but lost the amount into the bargain. Gopikabai bitterly felt the conduct of Gopalrao Patwardhan and held him responsible for the fate of the Peshwa’s capital. But Gopalrao was now a helpless spectator, unable to prevent mischief to Maratha interests. Indeed he keenly watched for an opportunity to come back to his allegiance after issuing unscathed from the invidious position he found himself in.