New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s3.41

v3.c37.s3.41

Parashar arrived at Poona in February 1802, but the Peshwa would not care to listen to him. Yashvantrao urged that the Peshwa as the master both of Sindia and Holkar, should deal out even justice to both, and demanded Khanderao Holkar from Sindia’s possession. But Bajirao showed no disposition to render him justice. Yashvantrao, chafing at the waste of time, despatched two of his chiefs Fatehsinh Mane and Shahamatkhan to exact retribution from Bajirao’s domains and soon moved south from Thalner himself. Bajirao now got frightened for his life. As the first proof of his sincerity Yashvantrao demanded restoration of Khanderao Holkar, disavowing any retribution for his brother Vithoji’s murder. Bajirao’s only answer was a show of negotiation on paper, recording oaths and promises but protracting action on one pretext or another. Parashar and Ahalyabai’s trusted secretary Govindpant Ganu, pleaded to Bajirao on bent knees to pacify Holkar, lest some terrible calamity should happen. But no heed was paid to them. On the contrary Sharzarao removed Khanderao Holkar and his mother to fort Ashirgad and kept them strictly confined with some of their followers in fetters, thus exasperating Yashvantrao even more. At the same time Daulatrao marched his forces to the south in support of Bajirao in order to prevent mischief on the part of Holkar. Yashvantrao was thus compelled to force a decision upon the Peshwa. His captains ravaged Bajirao’s territory right up to the river Krishna with merciless fury. Still Bajirao paid no attention to Yashvantrao’s solicitations and pursued with perfect unconcern his daily routine of pleasures and enjoyments in the garden houses adjoining Poona. At the same time he issued orders confiscating the whole estate of the Holkars, a climax which aggravated the quarrel beyond remedy.