Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c47.s4.7

v4.c47.s4.7

After the recovery of Chitor Sindhia spent one month (December) at Gosundā, a city twelve miles west of it, where a Mewār queen had built a grand temple. Here his lifelong friend and wisest adviser Rānākhān Bhāi, died on the 22nd of that month. The future administration of Mewār and the collection of the Maratha dues from that country caused him the greatest anxiety. For a time he even thought of putting the Sālumbar chieftain Rāwat Bhim (i.e., the ex-rebel leader) in charge of the country in concert with his own general Ambāji Inglé. But the plan was wisely abandoned, as it would have revived the clan-feuds in Mewār as soon as Mahādji’s back was turned. At last, his mind was made up: Ambāji Inglé was left to govern the country in the name of the Mahārānā, but with full civil and military power as Sindhia’s representative,—exactly like an “Agent to the Governor-General” in British Indian history. Ten thousand Deccani cavalry and four battalions of trained infantry (of Begam Samru’s force) were posted under him to enforce his authority, and Zālim Singh was appointed as his local adviser. Rāwat Bhim’s fine was fixed at 12 lakhs of rupees, besides the military stores in Chitor. He gave banker’s bills for seven lakhs and promises for the balance. The Mahārānā paid five lakhs as the first instalment of his contribution of fifty lakhs, and Lālgir Gosāin (the Nāgā Bairāgi captain) one lakh as nazarāna. (DY. S. 81, 55. HP 600 and 608 ; Kālé Akh.)