New History of the Marathas v2.c34.6

v2.c34.6

The situation reached its climax at Poona in the autumn of 1765, when the two chiefs came together face to face and held acrimonious discussions for over a month. Madhavrao explained his policy to Raghunathrao’s confidant Chinto Vithal : “ Ours is a large State which deserves to be sustained by all, small or great. Dada Saheb however demands a partition. I cannot be a party to such a foolish measure. The age-long practice has been that full responsibility is centred in one person, exercising undivided control over all members. He is to provide for all according to his best judgment. Dada Saheb’s demand amounts to setting aside this time-honoured practice. He asks for the possession of Gujarat for himself and a number of forts to be placed under his exclusive management. This is certainly not the way to preserve the State intact. I am quite willing to withdraw entirely from public affairs and take up my residence in a far away corner. But I will not allow the State to be thus partitioned. Let Dada- Saheb alone exercise the supreme power. I shall be content to do what little I can if he requires it of me. This in my opinion is the only solution of our present troubles.”