New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s3.32

v3.c37.s3.32

Fired with an intense spirit of revenge, he freely laid his hands on the Sindian territory in Malwa and declared open war against his brother Kashirao to wrest from his custody Khanderao, Malharrao’s posthumous son, proclaiming the latter as the rightful heir to the Holkar estate. In this resolve most of the old servants of the Holkar house joined Yashvantrao with their following. Though disabled in one eye by an accidental shot, he soon gathered momentum in his career. He fell upon the large treasure of Ahalyabai preserved at Maheshvar and with the resources thus obtained, he conducted a relentless war against Sindia. During the summer of 1800 the two opponents entered upon a deadly combat. At this time the widows of Mahadji Sindia renewed their hostilities in the north, having been joined by Lakba Lad who managed the northern possessions of Sindia. When the ladies arrived in Malwa, Yashvantrao paid them a visit and offered them his help for deposing Daulatrao and putting some one else in his seat. But before a final agreement was reached the ladies when camping at Ujjain were suddenly raided by Yashvantrao on 1st November 1800. Lakba, however, soon arrived on the scene and effected a reconciliation between Yashvantrao and the ladies. The latter retired towards Gwalior and Yashvantrao returned to the Narmada to face Daulatrao’s forces that rapidly came to overcome him. Daulatrao left Poona in December 1800 having appointed Baloji Kunjar to remain with Bajirao as his administrative officer and also Sharzarao Ghatge with a sufficient force to defend Bajirao as well as to keep a watch on his movements. Malharrao Holkar’s wife and her son Khanderao were removed to Bajirao’s palace for safety. If Daulatrao had had the dash that Yashvantrao was gifted with, he could easily have crushed the latter. But Sindia took a long time to reach the Narmada.