New History of the Marathas v2.c32.9

v2.c32.9

The Peshwa invited Murarrao Ghorpade, won him over to his cause and secured his aid in the forthcoming contest with Haidar Ali. The ensuing struggle indeed put to the test the respective capacities for war and organization of the two combatants, both active, tenacious and daring. There were skirmishes, moves and counter-moves. In May, Haidar Ali who had been lured out of his strong position at Rattehalli, was surrounded and severely defeated. Losing a thousand men on the field, he retired to Anavati in the forests of Karwar. The season was fast advancing, the campaign so far had proved inconclusive; the Peshwa, therefore, decided to stay on and finish his task during the ensuing cold season. This decision was highly welcomed and heartened the Maratha ranks for a supreme effort. Murarrao joined the Peshwa in May and was rewarded for his services by the conferment of the office of the Senapati of the Satara Raja. Formal documents of this appointment were executed next year (20 September 1765). This office had just fallen vacant on account of Ramachandra Jadhav’s dismissal for misconduct.