Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c52.s7.9

v4.c52.s7.9

Thus Daulat Rao Sindhiā was left dominant in Punā; Sharzā Rao Ghātgé was his chief counsellor and the Peshwā Bāji Rao his ally, while the ostensible wazir Nānā Fadnis sulked in impotence and intrigued secretly to thwart Sindhiā and reduce his power. "Sindhiā's armed strength joined to Bāji Rao's wicked tendencies and guided by Sharzā Rao's vile counsel, became now a terror to all chiefs, bankers and leaders in the Marātha State. . . . While Nānā offered Daulat Rao a large sum for leaving Punā and going away, Bāji Rao at the same time went still further, promising Sindhiā two *krores* for saving him from Nānā's vengeance. . . . Daulat Rao urged that he could not move unless his troops were paid . . . . Bāji Rao said that he could not supply funds to Sindhiā; he held Nānā Fadnis responsible for his miseries, and gave a written permission to Sindhiā to seize Nānā's person and take away his treasure by force." (Sardesai, iii. 331-333.) So, on the last day of the year 1797, Nānā Fadnis was treacherously arrested by Sindhia's captain Michael Filose and kept under detention in Daulat Rao's camp.