Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c11.s2.19

v1.c11.s2.19

After taking a fort named Kukshi on the Gujrat frontier of Dhār, the Peshwā advanced north through Dongarpur and Loniwādā, arriving at the southern frontier of Mewār (c. 15 January, 1736.) The Mahārānā made every arrangement for giving him a worthy reception. The ceremonial of the meeting was thus settled : the Mahārānā was to make a bow (*praṇām*) to the Peshwā as a Brāhman, the holiest of all Hindu castes, while the latter as a priest was to bless the temporal ruler. Arrived near Udaipur, Bāji Rāo was lodged in the Champā-bāgh garden in the village of Ahar, and received a purse of Rs. 5,000, robes, horses and an elephant as welcome-gift to a guest. Next day a grand *darbār* was held by the Mahārānā, to which the Peshwā was called. Two cushions had been laid down side by side; the Mahārānā advanced to the door of the hall, welcomed the Peshwā, and led him to the cushion meant for him, but Bāji Rāo respectfully sat down below it on the floor, on a lower level than the Mahārānā. He waved the *chāmar* (fly whisker) over the Rājput’s head, who protested saying, “*You should be adored by us, being a Brāhman;*” but Bāji Rāo diplomatically replied, “I count you alone as king, for you have sixteen chiefs (*umārā*) under you."'*