New History of the Marathas v3.c37.91

v3.c37.91

Cases of similar irritation in the late Peshwa’s time had not been rare, but Madhavrao had carefully avoided exasperating the uncle beyond the limits of endurance, while Narayanrao lacked the necessary prudence. Madhavrao usefully employed Sakharam Bapu, Sakharam Hari, Chinto Vithal, Gangadhar Yeshvant, Visaji Lele, Abaji Madhav Sohoni and other avowed partizans of his uncle and prevented any concerted action on their part. But Narayanrao neglected this precaution. These discontented elements now found a common platform for their hostile activity and the gratification of the revenge, which they had long nursed against Narayanrao. In addition to these helpmates, R'rao succeeded in enlisting the sympathies of Appaji Ram, the resident ambassador of Haidar Ali at Poona. Appaji entered into R'rao's plans and persuaded his master to extend his support to this unfortunate member of the Peshwa's family. James Forbes who later lived with R'rao and his party in Gujarat, writes, "Narayanrao's duplicity and ill-treatment at length occasioned Raghoba to concert measures with Haidar Ali's ambassador to effect his escape, which being known to the young Peshwa he confined him in his palace, suffering no friend to visit him nor any of his own servants to attend him. Whether from weariness of life or to intimidate his nephew, Raghoba now entered into a solemn vow to starve himself, when his death being attributed to Narayanrao's cruelty, the nation would stigmatize him as the murderer. Thus resolved he put his vow into execution and for the space of eighteen days took no other sustenance than two ounces of deer's milk each day until, when he was nearly exhausted, Narayanrao relented and promised he should have the government of a district with five castles and a jagir of twelve lacs of rupees per annum, provided some of the great chieftains would become surety for his future conduct."5