Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c53.s1.4

v4.c53.s1.4

This alliance between Nānā and Abā was so notorious that the British Resident noticed it. But the result was just the opposite of what they had expected. It wounded the pride and self-interest of the house of Sindhiā. They could never forget that throughout Mahādji's career Nānā Fadnis had tried to thwart and humiliate him; he had not moved a finger to aid Mahādji during his life and death struggle with Ghulām Qādir, and when Mahādji had at last emerged victorious, Nānā had planted Holkar and Ali Bahādur as thorns in his sides to spoil his policy in the North. The mere fact of Abā Chitnis's friendship with Nānā Fadnis damned him effectually in the eyes of the Sindhian ladies. They persuaded Daulat Rao to safeguard his power and honour by placing his administration in the hands of the Shenvi officers who had for many years served Mahādji in the field and the cabinet so loyally. Therefore, about two months after Mahādji's death, Daulat Rao recalled to his cabinet Bhāu Bakhshi and Bālobā Pāgnis, both of whom were then in political exile. Bhāu Bakhshi joined Daulat Rao's cabinet as diwān in Punā on 10th May. Abā Chitnis immediately took the alarm, resigned his post, and would listen to no persuasion to return. [PRC. ii. 234, 238. Kharé, ix. p. 4814.]