New History of the Marathas v2.c34.13

v2.c34.13

Instead of following the Muslim practice of doing short work with opponents, the Peshwa behaved with unexampled generosity to his uncle. He was given all personal comforts and facilities during his confinement. Raghunathrao, however, did not take his defeat manfully. Trivial complaints constantly poured out from him, to enforce which he resorted to fasting, and other methods of self-torture. Reports came that he performed sunworship and incantations in order to encompass the ruin of the Peshwa. He maintained a large useless establishment of Pandits, musicians, Haridasas, in addition to a large body of servants and retainers along with a number of concubines. All this was intended to spite the Peshwa by compelling him to bear the enormous expense. Raghunathrao's ambition in life was to shine forth as the legitimate Peshwa, which he could not fulfil during Madhavrao's regime. When after three years of confinement the latter felt his end was near in March 1772, he sent for his uncle, begged him most earnestly to forget the past and take care of his young brother Narayanrao after he was gone. But this tragic and solemn appeal failed to create in Raghunathrao any lasting sentiment either of duty or of affection. He did not scruple to create fresh trouble for the Peshwa and disturb his peace in death. On 6th October 1772, that is, six weeks before the Peshwa's death, Raghunathrao effected his escape from the Poona palace, and began to collect troops in order to seize the Peshwaship. He was immediately pursued, captured once more at Tulapur, and sent back to confinement.