New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s2.44

v3.c37.s2.44

Of all Mahadji’s adversaries in north India Ismail Beg alone now remained to be dealt with. His story need not detain the reader long. Having now no supporter left and rejecting all overtures of Mahadji to win him over, he took to a wandering life. Najaf Quli Khan, another imperial chief, was also in a similar situation, a friend of Mahadji at one moment and an antagonist at another. For a time Mahadji pitted the one against the other. Najaf Quli while engaged in occupying Kanod died on 4th September 1790. Thereafter Ismail Beg occupied Kanod and joined Bijaysinh. When the latter gave up the struggle, Ismail Beg was isolated and was hunted by Mahadji's men from place to place. Early in 1791 he turned to southern Rajputana, raiding Sirohi and Palanpur in search of support. In July he approached Ahmadabad and plundered the surrounding country. Being hunted out from Gujarat, he returned to Jaipur, but nowhere did he receive shelter. Khanderao Hari came on his track and routed him on 4th December 1791. He then was admitted into the fort of Kanod by Najaf Quli's wife who held that place. Khanderao besieged Kanod and having ordered heavy artillery from Mathura captured the place by bombardment. Ismail Beg's person was secured in April 1792 after Mahadji Sindia had already left for Poona. De Boigne offered personal protection to Ismail Beg at the intercession of Moti Begam a relation of Najaf Quli who had married De Boigne. The Beg was confined as a prisoner in Agra with Rs. 500 as an allowance for his monthly expenses. He spent eight years in confinement and died in 1799, the last surviving member of the Mughal service.