New History of the Marathas v3.c37.98

v3.c37.98

7. The tragedy acted.—From 16 August onward the the plot began to thicken. Narayanrao remained fatally incautious during this momentous period. Raghuji Angre of Kolaba had come to Poona and called on the Peshwa. The latter had to pay a return visit which he fixed for the morning on Monday 30th August. Accompanied by Haripant Phadke Narayanrao rode to Angre’s residence outside the city at about ten in the morning. During their conversation Raghuji drew the Peshwa’s attention to the crop of rumours he had been hearing, and cautioned him to be on his guard against danger to his life. When the visit concluded, the Peshwa and Phadke proceeded to the Parvati temple where their breakfast was fixed for that day along with some guests and invitees. The meal being over, the Peshwa rode back to his palace along with Haripant. During their ride the Peshwa communicated to Haripant what he had heard from Angre and asked him to take immediate steps to prevent mischief. Haripant assured the Peshwa that he would attend to the affair after finishing his midday meal which he was going to have with a friend. The Peshwa reached his palace and retired to his room for rest. Tulya Pawar somehow got scent of the Peshwa being forewarned and immediately reported to the Gardi chiefs that unless they executed their plan immediately, they would all be undone, as the secret had leaked out. At this intimation a body of about five hundred Gardis headed by their four chiefs, immediately rushed into the palace through an opening of a hind gate then being widened. They cut down the few men on duty at the gate and demanded payment of their long delayed salaries.