New History of the Marathas v2.c33.24

v2.c33.24

4. Raghunathrao before Gohad.—The powerful Jat Raja Surajmal perished at the height of his greatness in fight against Najib Khan on 25th December 1763. His chief Queen Hansia alias Rani Kishori adopted Jawahirsinh as her son, who succeeded Surajmal and continued his vigorous career defying all his three opponents, the Mughals, the Marathas and the raja of Jaipur. The Marathas recovered their position in a few years and appeared on the northern scene in 1766 headed by R’rao who, as we have already seen, parted company from the Peshwa at Kolhapur in February, and taking Janoji Bhosle with him reached Jhansi in April, where Sindia and Holkar joined him. The Jat Rana of Gohad backed by the powerful arm of Jawahirsinh formed at this time a strong anti-Maratha coalition, which R’rao found it necessary to put down. As plans were being formed for the reduction of Gohad, Malharrao Holkar died near Alampur on 20th May, creating an additional problem about the succession. As R’rao’s arrival heartened Maratha friends, ambassadors arrived from the Emperor asking him to stand against the English and undo what Clive had accomplished the year before to the detriment of the Muslim powers. But R’rao did not agree to the task and contented himself with sending diplomatic missions to the various Indian powers and also one to the British at Calcutta for negotiating a common agreement.⁶ Gohad was besieged but no progress was made for several months, as the trans-Chambal Jats strongly supported the Rana of Gohad, and R'rao soon found it difficult to extricate himself from an awkward job. Holkar and Gaikwad two prominent Maratha captains left him in disgust as their troops had received no pay for several months and were on the point of revolt. Several surprise attacks launched against Gohad ended in failure. The situation was saved by the mediation of Mahadji Sindia, who arranged an accommodation with the Rana on 2nd January 1767. He agreed to pay a fine of 15 lacs and the siege was raised.