New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s2.5

v3.c37.s2.5

A little later, however, Mahadji discovered a secret intrigue by Ali Bahadur with Ismail Beg and with the rajas of Jaipur and Jodhpur, which led to a fresh estrangement between the two. When Mahadji renewed his campaign against the Rajputs in 1790, Ali Bahadur hesitated to join him and deputed only a very weak detachment to act on his behalf, as he was entirely under the spell and advice of the Gosavi. He also induced Tukoji Holkar to oppose the lead of Mahadji and to keep in confinement his chief secretary Naro Ganesh on the plea that he was a partizan of Mahadji. Undaunted by these treacherous activities of his two principal helpmates, Mahadji conducted his campaign against the Rajput princes and brought it to a speedy and successful issue. The source of the whole mischief Mahadji attributed to Nana Phadnis, for he publicly declared that Ali Bahadur could not go to such a length on his own initiative ard that he acted advisedly counting on the support he had from Nana. For two years the Gosavi was shielded by Ali Bahadur even against the explicit orders communicated to him by Nana and often against the sound advice imparted to him by Tukoji Holkar. In disgust Mahadji ultimately asked Nana to recall both Tukoji and Ali Bahadur to Poona. But Nana did not accept this proposal either, thereby keeping open the growing ulcer between Sindia and Holkar.