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Chapter VIII – From 1797 to 1798

New administration – Army in a disorderly state – Ahmednugur made over to Sindia, and the conditions of the treaty with Rughoojee Bhonslay fulfilled – Bajee Rao refuses to ratify the treaty with Nizam Ally – Muskeer Ool Moolk suddenly quits Poona in consequence – Nana Furnuwees endeavours to soothe him – Bajee Rao’s policy – Death of Tookajee Holkar – dispute amongst his sons – Sindia espouses the cause of Khassee Rao – Mulhar Rao killed, and the house of Holkar rendered for a time subservient to that of Sindia – Sindia’s arbitrary conduct – Bajee Rao still popular – his real character little known – proposes ridding himself of both Nana Furnuwees and Sindia – employs the latter to seize the former, and Nana, with most of the principal ministers, is thrown into confinement the property of Nana and his adherents given up to plunder – outrages and alarms at Poona – Amrut Rao becomes prime minister – Sindia espouses the daughter of Ghatgay – Ghatgay becomes Sindia’s prime minister – is empowered to raise the money secretly promised by Bajee Rao, by plundering the inhabitants of Poona – dreadful cruelties – Amrut Rao proposes to seize and confine Sindia – Bajee Rao approves – Differences with Hyderabad revived – Bajee Rao summons Sindia to his presence – Bajee Rao’s weakness and treachery – Affairs of Satara – a force required in that quarter – Bajee Rao’s troops mutiny – Pureshram Bhow enlarged – raises troops – disperses those of the Raja, but afterwards refuses to disband his army – Bajee Rao grants him a pardon

1797

Nana Furnuwees was assisted in the ministry by Trimbuck Rao Pursooree. Naroo Punt Chuckurdeo had chief command of the army, which, from the late dissensions, was in

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a very disorderly state; and one desperate affray took place in the streets of Poona, between a body of Arabs and a party of Mr. Boyd’s Sepoys, in which upwards of a hundred persons were killed, and a great part of the shops and warehouses in the bazar plundered during the tumult.

The fort of Ahmednugur, and the dependant districts, were made over to Sindia as promised, and he was left at liberty to reduce the Jagheer of Pureshram Bhow as he might find opportunity.

13 July 1797

The articles of agreement with Rughoojee Bhonslay were also fulfilled and he departed for Nagpoor; but Bajee Rao refused to ratify the treaty of Mhar concluded with Nizam Ally, unless greatly modified; in consequence of which, Musheer Ool Moolk quitted Poona, without taking leave of the Peishwa, and returned highly incensed to Hyderabad. There was at that time no envoy at the Nizam’s court, Govind Rao Pingley being at Poona, but his agent named Sewdasheo Mankesir72, a person whom we shall hereafter have frequent occasion to notice, and whom Pingley kept at the court of Nizam Ally in the humble capacity of a newswriter, was recommended by Pingley to Nana Furnuwees, as a fit agent to soothe Musheer Ool Moolk, and prevent the interruption of the amicable intercourse, which it was so important for Nana to preserve.

The difference, however, which thus arose, Bajee Rao was at no pains to adjust; it weakened the confederacy which Nana Furnuwees had formed,

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and the great power he so lately combined was still more shaken by the death of Tookajee Holkar.

15 August 1797

Holkar left two legitimate sons, Khassee Rao and Mulhar Rao; and two by a concubine, Jeswunt Rao and Wittoojee. Khassee Rao was imbecile both in mind and body, but Mulhar Rao was, in every respect, qualified to support the fortunes of the house. Disputes soon arose between the brothers, in which the illegitimate sons took the part of Mulhar, Rao, who, in a few days, removed from his late father’s camp with a small body of troops, and took up his abode at Bambooree, a village in the suburbs of Poona, where he was secretly favoured by Nana Furnuwees. Sindia, who only watched for such an opportunity, on being solicited by Khassee Rao, readily afforded the aid of a body of troops for the purpose of apprehending Mulhar Rao, who refusing to surrender, was attacked, and maintained a desperate defence until he was killed. His half-brothers made their escape, Jeswunt Rao to Nagpoor, and Wittoojee to Kola, poor; but most of his handful of associates fell with him, and amongst others, Sindia, Ruwee Rao of Lonee, a gallant soldier, whose fate was rendered more memorable from the fatal effects which the communication of the news had on his widow, who, on being told, dropped dead on the instant.

The assistance thus afforded by Doulut Rao to a person of such a character as Khassee Rao, rendered the house of Holkar, for a time, subservient to that of Sindia, and was a death blow to the power of Nana Furnuwees. Sindia further secured his advantage, by having Khundee Rao, the infant son of the deceased Mulhar Rao, kept in safe custody.

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The interference of Sindia in the state affairs of Poona, which Bajee Rao, with a great want of foresight, secretly encouraged, soon extended to acts of sovereignty, some of which, were of a nature more arbitrary, than had ever been practised by the Peishwa’s government. The circumstances particularly alluded to, were the capture of the fort of Kolabah, the imprisonment of Mannajee Angria, and the transfer of that principality to Baboo Rao Angria, Sindia’s near relation.

The obloquy of such a violent and partial proceeding, did not attach to Bajee Rao; his appearance and misfortunes continued to attract sympathy, and the control by which the supposed goodness of his natural disposition was repressed, became a theme of general regret. Mr. Uhtoff, however, the acting resident at Poona, seems, at this early period, to have discovered much of his real character; and it soon appeared that the opinion entertained of Bajee Rao’s goodness and wisdom, was in fact but a proof of his dissimulation and cunning. To trust none, and to deceive all, was the game he invariably played, and like all who have ever, done so, he never failed to lose. His attention was naturally directed to become independent of Sindia and of Nana Furnuwees; he imagined he should soon be able to induce or compel the former to return to Hindoostan, but he concluded that the thraldom of the minister would be perpetual. His first object, therefore, was to endeavour to effect the ruin of Nana Furnuwees. Amrut

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Rao, Govind Rao Kallay, and some others were privy to the design; but Bajee Rao’s chief instrument was Ghatgay, now distinguished by his family title of Shirzee Rao, whose daughter, though promised, was not yet given in marriage to Doulut Rao Sindia. No person had more influence with that chieftain, and Bajee Rao persuaded Shirzee Rao, that his views of becoming minister to his future son-in-law, would always be obstructed, whilst Nana Furnuwees had a vestige of power. It was therefore determined to place him in confinement. On the 31st December, Nana Furnuwees, after some precaution, was induced to return a formal visit of ceremony, which Sindia had paid him a few days before, when he was seized by Michel Filoze, the Neapolitan, who accompanied Mahadajee Sindia to the Deccan in 1792, and who now commanded eight battalions in the service of Doulut Rao. Filoze had, on his word of honour, guaranteed the safe return of the old minister to his home, and his perfidious conduct excited just indignation, particularly amongst the European officers in the service of the native states; a set of men, who, though mere soldiers of fortune, had become as distinguished for good faith as daring enterprize, and their general character, had induced Nana to accept Filoze’s word in preference to any other pledge he might have obtained73. Aba Shelookur,

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Bujaba Seroolkur, Naroo Punt Wydh, and several other persons of distinction, who accompanied Nana Furnuwees, were seized at the same time; the rest of his retinue, amounting to about a thousand persons, were stripped, maimed, some of them killed, and the whole dispersed. Parties of soldiers were immediately sent by Shirzee Rao Ghatgay74 to plunder, not only the house of Nana, but the houses of all his adherents; many of whom barricaded their doors, and defended themselves from the tops and windows. The city of Poona was like a town taken by storm; the firing continued the whole of the night and the ensuing day. The roads in every direction were stopped, all was uproar, plunder, and bloodshed; the alarm was universal, and in the words of a spectator, “friends

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marched together in groups, with their shields on their arms, and their swords in their hands75.”

At the time Nana was seized in Sindia’s camp, Bajee Rao, on pretence of business, sent for the other ministers of that party and confined them. The principal persons among them were, Baba Rao Phurkay, Appa Bulwunt, Naroo Punt Chuckurdeo, Naroo Neelkunt Muzzimdar, and Gowind Rao Pingley. Nana Furnuwees was sent into close confinement in the fort of Ahmednugur; and Bajee Rao appointed his brother Amrut Rao prime minister, with Gowind Rao Kallay and Sewram Narrain Thuthay as his colleagues, whilst Ballajee Punt Putwurdhun, a man of no experience, was raised to the command of the army.

1798

Having thus effected, as he supposed, the overthrow of Nana Furnuwees, Bajee Rao began to devise schemes for ridding himself of Sindia, but, in the first instance, he found himself compelled to perform his engagements with Sindia and Ghatgay, though he hoped, that in the progress of their fulfilment, he might find the means of completing his schemes.

Sindia espoused the daughter of Ghatgay in March; the marriage expences were great; and the monthly pay of Sindia’s army at Poona was upwards of twenty lacks of rupees. His pecuniary distress soon became urgent; he pressed Bajee Rao for the payment of the two krores of rupees which he had secretly promised, and was answered, that

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he had not the means of raising it himself, but if Sindia would create Ghatgay his Dewan, the latter might, assisted by information from Ballajee Koonjur, levy it upon the rich inhabitants of Poona. To this Sindia agreed; and such was the secret means by which Shirzee Rao Ghatgay became minister to his son-in-law, and by which Bajee Rao Rugonath let loose upon his subjects the violence and extortion of a monster, whose name will be remembered, whilst Poona exists, with horror and execration. To obtain the object of his mission, Ghatgay first proceeded to the palace of Bajee Rao, where the ex-ministers, late of the party of Nana Furnuwees, were confined. Those respectable persons were dragged forth, and scourged, until they gave up their property. Merchants, bankers, and all persons in the city supposed to possess wealth, were next seized and tortured. Several of them died of the consequences, and Gungadhur Punt Bhanoo, one of the relations of Nana Furnuwees, expired whilst tied on a heated gun: one of the many modes of torture invented by Shirzee Rao Ghatgay.

It was not supposed at the time, nor is it generally known, that Bajee Rao was the original cause of those excesses; he certainly never contemplated the commission of such barbarous enormities. He was shocked at the cruelties of Ghatgay, and remonstrated with Sindia on the subject; but the latter lent a deaf ear to complaints, which he considered mere hypocrisy, or excuses to the world. Amrut Rao, who knew nothing of the existing compact, or that his brother had devised this mode

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of raising money, being irritated at the conduct of Ghatgay, and encouraged by the universal cry of abhorrence against Sindia, proposed to his brother, the bold scheme of seizing Sindia when on a visit; in which Bajee Rao immediately acquiesced, and was soon eager to carry it into effect. Previous to this suggestion, Bajee Rao had concerted with Amrut Rao, a plan for raising a body of regular infantry, which in that respect might place him more on an equality with Sindia and Nizam Ally: in cavalry, he could soon become superior to both. Amrut Rao, from his early intercourse with the British troops, during the campaigns of his father Rugoba, had a decided predilection for that nation, over all other Europeans. He selected Mr. W. H. Tone to command the first brigade, of which the whole of the officers were to have been: British subjects. To obtain a pretext with Sindia for this meditated augmentation, he referred to the state of their relations with the court of Hyderabad, and proposed that they should undertake a conjunct expedition against Nizam Ally, for the recovery of the balance of the arrears of tribute fixed, and of the districts ceded by the treaty of Kurdla; which had been restored by Nana Furnuwees without the Peishwa’s authority or Sindia’s knowledge. Sindia having readily acquiesced, the intention of the Poona court was formally announced to the British government on the 9th February; but the brigade of infantry was never raised, and the rest of the Peishwa’s army, owing to his secret jealousy of Amrut Rao, his own ignorance of military affairs, and his unfit selection of a commander, became

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daily less efficient. Bajee Rao’s total want of preparation did not, however, deter him from carrying on the scheme against Sindia; strong factions began to prevail in the camp of the latter, which encouraged Bajee Rao to hope, that by fomenting the rising disorders, the ministers and army of Sindia might be brought over to his views, or soon be reconciled to the deposal of their master.

In this state of affairs, Sindia’s unpopularity having become extreme, Amrut Rao, with Bajee Rao’s cognizance, prepared Abba Kally, the commander of one of the Peishwa’s regular battalions, to be ready to rush in, upon an appointed signal, and seize Sindia. Doulut Rao was invited, on business, to the Peishwa’s palace; but the invitation being declined, a positive order was sent, by Bajee Rao, desiring his attendance. He obeyed the summons; and soon after he sat down, Bajee Rao told him he had sent for him to desire an explanation of his conduct; and suddenly assuming a tone of authority and decision, for which the other was quite unprepared, he required of him to declare whether he was master or servant. Sindia having answered, with respect and humility, that he was the Peishwa’s servant, and ready to show his dependance by his obedience, Bajee Rao reminded him of the insolence, violence, and cruelty which he and his servants had used, in numberless instances, towards the servants and subjects of his government, in the city and even in his own palace; he declared that “the contempt and disrespect thus shown towards his person and authority, he could bear no longer, and therefore ordered Sindia to remove to Jamgaon.”

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Doulut Rao’s reply was couched in the mildest terms; but whilst he expressed his willingness to obey, he declared his inability to move from want of hinds to pay his troops; “that he had large debts incurred by placing his Highness on the musnud, which it was incumbent on his Highness to discharge: when that was effected, he would immediately quit Poona.” At this moment, Amrut Rao asked his brother if he should give the signal; but Bajee Rao’s heart failed him; he had not courage to proceed in the design, and thus gave his friends the first decided proof of that imbecility which swayed most of the actions of his life. Sindia withdrew from the presence in a manner the most respectful, but with a mind filled with suspicion and distrust; and Bajee Rao, had afterwards the baseness, as well as the weakness, to tell him what Amrut Rao had intended, and to advise him to be upon his guard76.

The Peishwa’s troops were as much in arrears as the army of Sindia. The state of affairs at Satara, which we shall presently explain, demanded the presence of a military force; but on their services being required, the men demanded their pay, and a tumult arose, which the commander, Ballajee Punt Putwurdhun, could not appease. Ballajee Koonjur, with the presumption of a favourite, made an attempt to restore order; but the soldiery, ridiculed his interference, and on his persevering, they grossly insulted him by knocking

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off his turban, and kicking it in the streets. Govind Rao Pingley, who was still in confinement, sent a confidential message to the Peishwa, advising him to release Naroo Punt Chuckurdeo, as the only person capable of preventing most serious disturbance; a suggestion, to which, in the moment of alarm, Bajee Rao readily acceded. He also restored Pingley to liberty, the more readily, as that person, though one of the late ministry, was no real friend to Nana Furnuwees.

Naroo Punt Chuckurdeo, with that facility which any officer who has gained the confidence of the natives of India is sure to experience, calmed the tumult in a day; but Bajee Rao could neither spare troops from Poona, nor trust the new commander at a distance; circumstances which led to the enlargement of another state prisoner of consequence, Pureshram Bhow Putwurdhun.

When Bajee Rao laid his plans for the overthrow of Nana Furnuwees, he engaged the Raja of Satara in the plot, and advised him to confine Baboo Rao Kishen, Nana’s agent, and to seize the fort; assuring him that it was his determination to re-establish the old form of government, and to serve the head of the, state, as faithfully, as the first. Bajee Rao had done. The Raja promptly complied with this request, confined Baboo Rao, and seized the fort. But after Nana Furnuwees was imprisoned, when Sewram Narrain Thuthay arrived on the part of the Peishwa to receive charge, the Raja told him he would take care of the fort himself, and expressed a hope that his servant, the Peishwa, would soon fulfil his intentions. Bajee

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Rao, alarmed at the consequences of his own intrigues, ordered Mahdoo Rao Rastia to proceed to Satara, and endeavour to prevail on the Raja to admit his troops into the fort. A respectable force accompanied Rastia; but the Raja, having his relations about him, would neither yield to promises nor threats. These proceedings at last attracted the notice of Sindia, who suspecting that Bajee Rao’s intrigue with the Raja was some scheme for enlarging his own power, secretly advised the Raja to maintain the fort, and to raise troops, promising that he would assist him to throw off the Bramin yoke, for which purpose he solemnly engaged to send him five battalions with their guns77.

The Raja soon began to collect troops; and Mahdoo Rao Rastia, having interfered to prevent it, was attacked and obliged to retire from Satara to Malgaom. This event became the more alarming to the Peishwa, from the disposition and state of his army at Poona, already described.

It so happened that Pureshram Bhow Putwurdhun, hitherto confined by Anund Rao, the brother of Mahdoo Rao Rastia at Mahdoogaom, was at the moment removed to Waee, and confident in his own influence, he offered his services in suppressing the disturbances and recovering the fort, on condition that he should be permitted to raise troops for the purpose. Accordingly, having

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obtained the Peishwa’s sanction, and being assisted by Rastia, Pureshram Bhow soon assembled a considerable force, in the neighbourhood of Waee.

The town of Satara lies immediately under the fort, in a deep hollow, nearly surrounded on three sides by hills; cut off from the west by the Syhadree mountains, and from every other quarter by the Yena, Kistna, and Oormooree rivers. – The Raja’s troops lay encamped in the town, and it being then the height of the rains, when the Yena was supposed unfordable, they considered themselves so perfectly secure, that they had not even the precaution to send out patrols. Pureshram Bhow discovered a ford78, and crossed with nearly ten thousand men before intelligence was received of his approach. The force collected by the Raja scarcely amounted to two thousand five hundred men, and were quite unprepared. The Raja had barely time to escape into the fort, and his troops were flying, until rallied by his relations Yellojee and Senajee Mohitey, Kooshaba Raja, and Doorgajee Raja Mahareek: these persons were gallantly seconded by the Raja’s brother, Chitoor Sing, who was the main spring of the party. As soon as they had collected a small band, they advanced to the environs of the town to oppose the approaching army; resistance was hopeless, but they pressed forward for a few minutes with, impetuosity, until Yellojee Mohitey was killed,

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and both the Mahareeks wounded, when the party, by Chittoor Sing’s advice, retreated. Senajee Mohitey, however, refused to turn his back, and though alone, having tried to single out Mahdoo Rao Rastia, he charged at him, in the midst of his followers, by whom he was soon cut in pieces.

The plunder of the town of Satara occupied the troops of the victors; and though a party pursued him, Chittoor Sing was enabled, with a small band of faithful, followers, to join the Raja of Kolapoor, who, ever since he had been excited by Nana Furnuwees to attack Pureshram Bhow, had spread fire and sword over the whole of the southern Mahratta country.

The fort of Satara being destitute of provisions, the Raja surrendered, and the service being thus accomplished, Pureshram Bhow was desired to disband his troops, but he excused himself, declaring his inability to pay their arrears, and protesting his fidelity to the Peishwa’s government. Bajee Rao was therefore recommended to grant him a pardon, on his agreeing to pay a fine of ten lacks of rupees79.

Footnotes

72. Generally so written by the English; properly, however, it is Mankeshwur.

73. The Mahrattas excuse Filoze’s treachery, by saying, that he was entirely ignorant of Sindia’s intention to seize Nana; that there was no premeditated deception on his part, and that he was compelled to the act by a sudden order, accompanied by threats and promises, from Shirzee Rao, through a person named Meer-Assud-Alee Wahid. The mere circumstance of their wishing to defend Filoze, is honourable to the European character; had it regarded any of their own countrymen, the story would have been received without investigation, as a matter of course. Mahrattas wishing to be polite, always disparage themselves, and, in addressing a European, nothing is more common than to speak of themselves, as a treacherous deceitful race of marauders, on whom no dependance should be placed. One unacquainted with their manners, or who has superficially observed them, would not readily suppose, that they merely intend an indirect compliment, knowing how highly truth and plain dealing are estimated among us.

74. Ghatgay, Shirzee Rao, is the proper way of writing the name and title, but he is best known to Europeans as Shirzee Rao Ghatgay.

75. Mahratta MS. Mr. Uhtoff’s despatches. Oral information.

76. The despatches of Colonel Palmer detail what publicly took place at the interview, the rest is from living authority.

77. Bappoo Kanhoo’s history of his own times. This promise was actually made through Bappoo Kanhoo, the secret agent of the Raja of Satara. Shirzee Rao Ghatgay, and Seedojee Rao Nimbalkur, the present Jagheerdar of Nepanee, were present at the time.

78. The ford was known to very few persons, and the Bramins,. desirous of improving any circumstance in their own favour, gave out, what is still generally believed, that on this occasion the waters divided to allow Pureshram Bhow to pass..

79. My authority for the foregoing chapter, is the same as the last.

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