New History of the Marathas v3.c37.95

v3.c37.95

From 16th to 30th August was a period that witnessed an unprecedented stir in Poona with secret talks and concealed discussions among the various partizans of Raghunathrao, but as these had been a normal occurrence at the Peshwa’s palace, no responsible official paid any serious attention to them. The annual Shravan charities to Brahmans passed off as usual on 25th July. Next came the ten days of the Ganapati festival when the administration had a holiday and all officials and staff were fully occupied with the various details of the celebration, the daily worship both morning and evening, Vedic recitations, music, dance, Durbars, feasts, and processions. This festival commenced on 21st August and was to have ended on 31st, the Anant 14th of Bhadrapad. The murder of the Peshwa took place on 30th August shortly after midday.