Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c52.s5.1

v4.c52.s5.1

At last, Parashurām Bhāu forced the late Peshwā’s widow to adopt Chimnāji Apa as her son (25th May) and had him invested in the Peshwā’s robes on 2nd June, while Bāji Rao was kept a close prisoner in Daulat Rao’s camp. By this coup, Sindhia became the dominant factor in the Peshwā’s Government. Nānā Fadnis could not bear to part with a power which he had enjoyed for twenty years, nor was he sure that when shorn of power he would be able to save from the grasp of his successor his hoarded treasure, which rumour had swollen to nine krores of Rupees. "He now directed all the engine of his wealth and diplomacy to escape from Sindhia's clutches.... From (his refuge in) Mahād, for full five months (June-November 1796) he exercised all his diplomatic skill and spent much of his treasure not only in keeping back Sindhia's forces from approaching him, but (also) in enlisting the support of several outside Powers."