New History of the Marathas v3.c37.104

v3.c37.104

The two Nagpur agents remained steadfast in their attachment to R’rao. On the day of the murder he despatched Lakshman Kashi with a letter of friendly terms to Mudhoji Bhosle inviting him expeditiously to Poona with all his forces. The other Nagpur agent Vyankatrao remained in Poona to manage R’rao’s concerns so as to strengthen the latter’s hold on the administration. The usual Dasara celebration occurred on 25th September, when R’rao went to live in tents, intending to meet the possible danger that was threatening the State from Nizam Ali and Haidar Ali. During the interval he was mainly occupied in settling the vexatious demands of the Gardi chiefs, who practically held all power and whose sole aim now was to get from R’rao as much money and reward for their services as they could. For the time Bhavanrao Pratinidhi acted as R’rao’s agent in settling the Gardis’ demands and after severe altercations succeeded in getting rid of these unwelcome friends from the palace, having paid them first the stipulated amount of five lacs, and in addition, three lacs more in lieu of the three forts which they had wanted for their safe resort. During these negotiations the Gardis went so far as to threaten R’rao that they would raise Ali Bahadur (son of Shamsher Bahadur) to the Peshwaship if their demands were not granted. They also wrung from him a written promise that he would protect them thereafter in all circumstances of danger to their lives. R’rao had now no strong adherent or support except such second rate men as the Gardi chiefs, and Sakharam Hari, Sadashiv Ramchandra, Vyankatrao Kashi, Abaji Mahadev, Tulya Pawar, Moroba Phadnis, Maloji Ghorpade, Govindrao Gaikwad, Manaji Phakde and Mudhoji Bhosle, who will be met with in the narrative of what followed. One strong follower of R’rao named Gangadhar Yeshwant died on 20th February 1774 and this considerably weakened his party.