Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c26.s3.4

v2.c26.s3.4

From Indor, through Mewar,—where he took a ransom of one lakh from Jāwad and plundered Ranikheda (March),—Raghunath Rao reached Jaipur territory, and while dunning Mādho Singh for payment, laid siege (April) to the fortalice of Barwada* belonging to the Shekhawats, who were the most stubborn fighters in the Kachhwa kingdom. Raghunath had no siege-materials and was long held up by this garhi. His insane pride and lack of business capacity prolonged the sufferings of his army. The Jaipur minister Kāniram offered to buy him off by paying the same tribute as agreed upon in the past ; but "Raghunath would not listen ; he demands 40 to 50 lakhs in cash and the cession of the 14 lakhs worth of jagir given by the Emperor to Jaipur some years ago as appertaining to fort Ranthambhor, in addition to Rāmpurā-Bhānpurā, Tonk-Todā, and Hinglājgarh. He is determined either to secure these gains by consent, or to remain here for four months and gain territory worth 40 to 50 lakhs by war." [c. 12 April, SPD. xxvii. 152a] Rajah Madho Singh wisely rejected these exorbitant terms and put his capital and other forts in a vigilant and active state of defence. The total Maratha force in that region, including Malhar’s contingent now numbered 13,000. But Jaipur fort had a garrison of 17,000, and the Rajah’s generals patrolled round it in strength day and night. Sanganer was held by Dilel Singh Rajawat, who was strengthened (10 May) with six tumbrils of powder and shot. Madho Singh called his feudatories one by one and made them swear on the sacred *bel* leaf to resist the southern invaders to the death. His determination to fight rather than accept Raghunath’s humiliating terms became manifest to all. [*SPD.* xxi. 121 and 120 ; Raj. i. 71 differs from xxvii. 152*a*.]