Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c44.s2.18

v4.c44.s2.18

Himmat Bahādur told Ali Bahādur, “Send me to Punā or keep me with yourself. If you try to send me elsewhere (as a prisoner in the fort of Jhānsi), which Mahādji is demanding, I shall kill myself rather than be dishonoured.” There were some three hundred armed retainers with the Gosain himself and an equal number with his concubines and children whom Mahādji detained as prisoners in his camp. These were all desperate fighters, being Naga monks of the Rājendragiri type (Ch. 11 § 17.) Hence Sindhia did not venture to press the question to a decision by force. The case therefore dragged on for months. At last near the end of January 1790, Tukoji and Ali Bahādur warned Mahādji to make a settlement with the Gosain without further delay, for (they argued) “if the Peshwa now sends a robe of honour to Himmat Bahādur, what face would be left to Sindhia?” Mahādji softened, and agreed to pardon the Gosain if he was brought to his tent. But Himmat Bahādur held out in his proud defiant attitude, he replied that he was prepared to be the servant of the Peshwā or of the Peshwā’s local agent Ali Bahādur, but would never appear before Mahādji as a suppliant. So, Mahādji had to climb down: On 6th February 1790, he paid a visit to Ali Bahādur’s tent, where the Gosain was introduced to him by Ali Bahādur. Sindhia gave Himmat Bahādur a robe of honour in sign of amity, declared that he had pardoned all his offences, presented a horse and an elephant to him, and withdrew his piquet from around the family of the Gosain detained in his camp. [Kalé Akh.]