Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s6.4

v1.c9.s6.4

Interference from the Peshwā’s side in the Marātha claims on Bengal aggravated Raghuji Bhonslé’s difficulties towards the end of his life. On 21 January 1754 (?) he writes to Sadāshiv Rāo Bhāo : “Raghunāth Rāo has sent his envoy from Hastināpur to Bengal, with a letter for Nawāb Alivardi Khan, asking him to send the *chauth* of Bengal for (the last) three years to him. Hence, he is quarrelling in my jurisdiction. You yourself settled the peace regarding Bengal, and yet his *wakil* has gone and disturbed my administration. Please write to forbid him and also tell Alivardi to act in the terms of the treaty signed.” [S. P. D. xx. 77.] Raghuji died on 14 Feb. 1755, and not as Grant Duff (ii. 74) asserts in March 1753. Jānoji succeeded him, but the royal house of Nāgpur soon fell into extreme poverty. (S. P. D., xx. 80, 103 and 104.)