Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c52.s1.5

v4.c52.s1.5

At the first reports of Mahādji's march to the south, Nānā Fadnis was shaken by a wild fear that he would be treated by Mahādji as he himself had treated Sakhārām Bāpu. So, the minister for a time contemplated safety by retirement to Benares as a religious recluse and sounded the British Resident for a passport. Next he formed the infamous scheme of hiring the hereditary enemy of his nation by surrendering the Marātha claims on the Nizām in return for his armed aid against Sindhia. In the meantime he hastily called up his generals Hari Pant Fādké and Parashurām Bhāu Patwardhan to his side. But Mahādji's honesty of purpose was transparent; wiser counsels prevailed with Nānā Fadnis; and Mahādji was received at the Peshwā's Court with apparent cordiality and due ceremony, on 22nd July, 1792.