New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s2.2

v3.c37.s2.2

In those superstitious days sudden ailments like this were attributed to magic on the part of hostile agents. As soon as Mahadji was taken ill, an inquiry was undertaken which disclosed that the two Gosavi brothers had employed black magic to encompass Mahadji’s ruin.² These Gosavis were known to be time-servers with no fixed allegiance and possessing the ill repute of faithlessness and treachery towards those whom they served. Once they were the servants of the Nawab Wazir, then they came into the Emperor’s employ and later became Mahadji’s subordinates, as he was the absolute controller of the Emperor’s affairs. Mahadji had often noticed their double-dealing when they disclosed his plans to his Rajput opponents, possibly receiving gratification in return. It was later discovered that they had a secret understanding with Ali Bahadur in a plan to remove Mahadji from his position with the Emperor and instal Ali Bahadur in his place. The open rupture between Holkar and Mahadji offered opportunities to the Gosavis which they were not slow to turn to their advantage with a view to ruining Mahadji. In the monsoon months of 1789, Mahadji who was ailing, attributed his trouble to the agency of some secret enemy. An investigation was ordered. On 14th July spies brought in reports about a woman in Vrindaban having practised magic upon Mahadji's life. The next day the woman was brought to Mahadji's presence. She confessed that the Gosavis had employed two agents to give her materials for sorcery and wine to bring about the ruin of Mahadji. Upon this evidence Mahadji besieged the Gosavi brothers' camp and had Himmat Bahadur arrested. As he was being conveyed to Mahadji's camp, he suddenly made his escape and entering Ali Bahadur's tent, took shelter under the Peshwa's flag. Thereupon Mahadji called upon Ali Bahadur to deliver him. The latter refused and referred the question to Poona. Mahadji's exasperation knew no bounds and for a time such a complete rupture occurred between him and Ali Bahadur, that a civil war was apprehended every moment. Mahadji arrested the Gosavi's wife and children. Most of the chiefs on both sides tried to mediate and bring about a workable understanding, but these proved of no avail. The dispute on being referred to Poona fanned the anti-Sindia sentiments there into a white flame. Tukoji Holkar strongly supported Ali Bahadur in not giving up the Gosavi into Mahadji's hands, urging that it was a question of the Peshwa's prestige to whose flag the Gosavi had resorted. For a time the relations between Mathura and Poona were poisoned by ugly rumours; and exaggerated reports poured into Poona against Mahadji. The latter wrote strong protests against the allegations and begged to be relieved of his duty in north India altogether. Ali Bahadur himself wrote such bitter invectives against Mahadji to Nana, that his mother then in Poona sent him a severe warning not to indulge in such strong language through letters against a powerful chief like Mahadji, lest the letters should be intercepted and opened on the way and thereby bring on serious consequences.