Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c52.s5.2

v4.c52.s5.2

Daulat Rao Sindhia's threat of attacking Nizām Ali to exact payment of the Khardā indemnity was Nānā Fadnis's opportunity. He made a secret pact with Mushir-ul-mulk (the Nizām's agent in Punā),* most selfishly bartering away all the national claims on the Nizām in exchange of his armed aid against Sindhia. He also formed a faction at home, among the jealous rivals of the house of Sindhia, such as Tukoji Holkar, Raghuji Bhonslé II, the Rajah of Kolhāpur, and Bābā Phādké. "But more than all else, Nānā managed to win over Bāji Rao himself to his plan. Bāji Rao was now a prisoner closely watched by Sindhia, who was going to deposit him as a life-prisoner in the fort of Asirgarh. To avoid such a fate, Bāji Rao readily listened to Nānā's overtures and the two became temporarily reconciled to each other."