New History of the Marathas v2.c34.15

v2.c34.15

3. Bhosle brought to obedience.—This family from the beginning showed an unwillingness to submit to the Peshwa’s authority and never realized that under the political circumstances of the times, they could not maintain their own individual existence without the support of the central Government. They were ever ready to take advantage of the Peshwa’s difficulties and could not be depended upon in a case of emergency, a tendency which the spirited Peshwa was not going to tolerate. In the year 1766 Janoji Bhosle was humbled after a short campaign and was let off lightly on account of Raghunathrao’s intercession on his behalf. Janoji, however, succumbed to the wicked advice of his minister Dewajipant and started his old game of intriguing against the Peshwa and violated the agreement contracted in 1766. Some two years passed and the Peshwa after disposing of his uncle at the battle of Dhodap in June 1768, decided to teach a severe lesson to Janoji who had coquetted with the Peshwa’s enemies. Madhavrao sent for the Nagpur minister Dewajipant for a personal visit at Poona. The latter refused to obey the summons and avoided a meeting with the Peshwa, but at the same time conducted informal intrigues with Raghunathrao and the British detrimental to the Peshwa’s authority. On 21st September Madhavrao wrote to Janoji, “Your agent Chimnaji Rukmangad has come and offered an explanation on your behalf, but I want Dewajipant here at once for settling our dispute.” He again wrote a month later calling upon both Janoji and his minister peremptorily to come and meet him. When this stern warning fell upon deaf ears, the Peshwa at once opened hostilities against Bhosle and marched upon his territory through Berar and threatened to capture Nagpur itself. Dewajipant realized the peril he was running into and came to meet the Peshwa in Berar. He was at once put under arrest, a step which irritated Janoji all the more.