New History of the Marathas v2.c31.41

v2.c31.41

But Raghunathrao's profession of a wish to retire was by no means sincere : he was all along thinking of the best way of getting mastery over his nephew, to whom he soon after repeated his demand of a jagir worth nine lacs and five important forts. Sakharam Bapu also was uneasy and skulking and expressed his wish to retire from service, Madhavrao well knowing what mischief the two were capable of, flattered them for their vast knowledge and experience, and told them how their presence about him was essential for conducting the administration. With this object he hereafter kept Sakharam Bapu near his person to advise him on matters of moment, but gave him no particular office or independent voice. Bapu understood the Peshwa's game, but could not find a way to obstruct it openly. From Aurangabad, the Peshwa returned to Poona and his uncle to Nasik to perform his devotions at Trimbakeshwar, with Govind Shivram and Trimbakrao Pethe placed by the Peshwa as his own personal agents in attendance on him.