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Chapter X – From 1800 to 1802

Death and character of Nana Furnuwees – fresh dispute between Sindia and the Peishwa – Balloba Tattya’s confinement and death – dreadful executions of Dhondeba, and Narrain Rao Bukhshee Peishwa’s plans for ruining the adherents of Nana Furnuwees and the family of Pureshram Bhow – Sindia, on being promised the Jagheer of the Putwurdhuns, sends a force into their districts – Great disorders – insurrection of Dhoondia Waug – suppressed by a detachment of British troops – State of affairs at Poona – Bajee Rao’s situation and views – critical state of Sindia’s affairs in Malwa – Rise and progress of Jeswunt Rao Holkar – Umeer Khan joins him – Jeswunt Rao recognised in Malwa, as the representative of his nephew Khundee Rao – imbecility of Sindia’s proceedings – Sindia induces Holkar to attack the Byes – Marches towards Hindoostan – Holkar cuts of two of Sindia’s detachments – is repulsed by Major Brownrigg – Events at Poona – execution of Wittoojee Holkar – Shirzee Rao Ghatgay defeats a plot against him in a singular manner – he is ordered to join Sindia – defeats Jeswunt Rao Holkar at Indore, which he plunders – Sindia injudiciously gives Holkar time to recover himself – Jeswunt Rao carries the war into the Deccan – his successes there – Sewdasheo Bhow Bhaskur sent to oppose him Peishwa’s conduct – Battle of Poona – Holkar is victorious – The Peishwa flees to Singurh – and sends to the British resident a preliminary engagement, binding himself to receive a subsidiary force – Resident’s interview with Holkar – The Peishwa proceeds to Bassein – Affairs in Guzerat

1800

The first of the events alluded to, in point of time and importance, was the death of Nana Furnuwees. His health had long been in a declining state; but he continued to transact business, almost to the last, with his accustomed

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order and punctuality. He died on the 13th March, “and with him,” says Colonel Palmer, “has departed all the wisdom and moderation of the Mahratta government.” Nana Furnuwees was certainly a great statesman. His principal defects originated in the want of personal courage, and in an ambition not always restrained by principle. In the latter unhappy years of his life, on the testimony of English as well as Mahratta authority, he is entitled to the high praise of having acted with the feelings and sincerity of a patriot. He honourably advised Bajee Rao to such measures as he believed advantageous, unmindful of any consequences. He was decidedly averse to the admission of a body of foreign troops, in the manner proposed by the Marquis Wellesley, if the energies of the government could possibly be restored without their aid. He respected the English, admired their sincerity and the vigour of their government; but, as political enemies, no one regarded them with more jealousy and alarm. The life of Nana may be said to have been entirely public; and its events have been so fully recorded, as well as the motives for his conduct, that it is unnecessary to enlarge on his character in private life he was a man of strict veracity, humane, frugal, and charitable. His whole time was regulated with the strictest order, and the business personally transacted by him almost exceeds credibility.

In regard to civil government, whilst he con tinned in power he endeavoured to preserve the system of Mahdoo Rao Bullal; but overwhelming

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business, and the frequent distractions that prevailed, produced great laxity in the superintendence.

No instance of greater neglect on the part of an administration, or of more extraordinary criminality in a subordinate officer, is recorded in the annals of any state than the case of Gassee Ram, kotwal, or police superintendant, of the city of Poona. This man, a Bramin native of Hindoostan, employed the power with which he was vested in perpetrating the most dreadful murders. People disappeared, and no trace of them could be found. Gassee Ram was suspected, but Nana Furnuwees refused to listen to complaints, apparently absurd from their unexampled atrocity. At last, it being suspected that Gassee Ram was starving a respectable Bramin to death, Mannajee Phakray headed a party of the people, broke open the prison, and rescued the unfortunate Bramin, which led to the detection of the monster’s crimes; and he fell a victim to the vengeance of the exasperated populace, by whom he was stoned to death.

In his person Nana was tall and thin, his complexion was rather dark and his demeanour grave; but his look intelligent, quick, and penetrating; he left a young widow, and died without issue.

The death of Nana Furnuwees was the origin of a new dispute between the Peishwa and Sindia, each being desirous to obtain the treasures of which he was supposed to have died possessed. Sindia immediately seized Nana’s Jagheer, on pretext of his having owed him a krore of rupees; he also supported his widow in her desire to adopt a son;

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both because it was in opposition to Bajee Rao’s wish, and because it afforded the easiest means of getting the family and treasures into his own power. But these disputes did not prevent their plotting against others; and Sindia, whose re-establishment of Balloba Tattya to power, had disarmed the insurrection of Lukwa Dada, now determined on Balloba’s destruction. To this measure he was advised by his father-in-law, who had been set at liberty in the month of January at the recommendation of Balloba, and had regained entire influence over Sindia’s mind, of which the first use he made was to stir up a faction against the minister, and then to excite Sindia to his destruction, and that of his immediate adherents. He was accordingly seized, and imprisoned at Ahmednugur, where a natural death interposed to save him from a cruel execution. But his brother Dhondeba, and Narrain Rao Bukhshee, confined at the same time, were both condemned to suffer; the former, in a manner comparatively humane, was blown from a cannon; but the latter, was barbarously destroyed, by being tied round with rockets, which being fired, carried him along, mangling his body dreadfully, – the invention and sport of the execrable Ghatgay.

One of the ruling passions of the Peishwa was implacable revenge; and he having connived at the destruction of the Shenwee Bramins, Sindia, in return, agreed to assist him in the ruin of the friends and adherents of Nana, and the family of the late Pureshram Bhow Putwurdhun. To accomplish the former object, the Peishwa, pretending

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to renounce the objection to the adoption of a son by the widow of Nana, indirectly, encouraged the proceeding; and at last, in order to ensnare Nana’s friends, invited them to a meeting at his palace for the express purpose of deliberating on the subject. When assembled, he suddenly accused them of treasonable practices, of plotting against him, and of intending to place the adopted son of Nana’s widow on the musnud. He concluded by seizing and sending them off prisoners to hill-forts. In regard to the latter object, of crushing the Putwurdhun family, Sindia the more readily acquiesced in it, as he had long wished to possess himself of their extensive and fertile Jagheer. It was this plot which prevented the capture of Kolapoor; as Appa Sahib, having received timely intelligence of their plan, quitted the siege, and with his own followers, accompanied by Dhondoo Punt Gokla, retired into the Carnatic. The Raja of Kolapoor, through the influence, of Shirzee Rao Ghatgay, to whom he was reconciled, became the immediate ally of Sindia, whose battalions, under the orders of Seedojee Rao Nimbalkur, the Dessaye of Nepanee, proceeded to attack the Jagheer of the late Pureshram Bhow; Major Brownrigg, with the battalions, were soon recalled: but Seedojee Rao, at the head of a body of horse, plundered and devastated the country from Merich to Beejapoor.

Disorders were everywhere prevalent. – Doondia Waug, whom we have already mentioned as having entered the service of the Raja of Kola-poor, separated from him, returned into the Carnatic,

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and plundered in the Company’s lately acquired districts; taking advantage also of the absence of Gokla’s troops, he laid the Peishwa’s districts in the Carnatic under contribution, and committed great ravages. The British government made application to the Peishwa, and obtained permission to pursue and destroy the marauder; but in the mean time, on the return of Dhondoo Punt Gokla to the Carnatic, Dhoondia Waug, who burned with revenge, vowed, with singular ferocity, to sacrifice his life, or dye his mustachios in the heart’s-blood of Dhondoo Punt. On hearing, therefore, of his approach, he laid an ambush in a wood, and watching an opportunity, when Dhondoo Punt was separated from the main body of his followers, attacked and killed him, when he literally fulfilled his vow. Several persons fell with Dhondoo Punt; among whom was his elder nephew: his younger nephew, Bappoo Gokla, whom we shall hereafter have frequent occasion to mention, lost an eye; Chintamun Rao Putwurdhun was also wounded, and the whole of their party were driven to seek refuge at Hullyhal, where they were kindly welcomed and protected by a British detachment then in that garrison89.

The British troops sent in pursuit of Dhoondia Wang, were under the command of Major-General the Honourable Arthur Wellesley, who, on entering the Carnatic, was joined by Gunput Rao Phansay, Bappoo Gokla, and the Putwurdhuns. These Mahratta auxiliaries were of little service;

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10 September 1800

but the British detachment, after a persevering pursuit, had at last the satisfaction of coming up with Dhoondia at the village of Kondagul. His party, consisting of about 5,000 horse, was immediately attacked, routed, and dispersed. Dhoondia exerted himself with spirit, at the head of such men as stood by him, until he was cut down in a charge by the 19th Dragoons.

Sindia was much dissatisfied at the permission granted to the British government of sending troops into the Mahratta territory. His control over the Peishwa was now complete, and fearing that Bajee Rao intended to fly, he for some time kept a guard over his palace. The Peishwa found that his condition was by no means improved by the death of Nana Furnuwees, and from the situation in which he was so long placed, we cannot be surprised that his natural disposition to intrigue should have become incurably habitual. He had much confidence even at this period, in his own wisdom, for extricating himself from the thraldom of Sindia. To that chieftain, even when experiencing indignity from him, Bajee Rao was profuse in his acknowledgments, and pretended to entertain for him the most unbounded gratitude and affection. When it appeared probable that Sindia would be compelled to retire to Hindoostan for the protection of his dominions, the Peishwa entreated his stay, and even threw obstacles in the way of his departure; but he saw, with secret joy, the increasing predatory power of Jeswunt Rao Holkar, as affording a prospect by which he hoped to be enabled to establish his own

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authority, without the interposition of a foreign power. He was, however, conscious of his own unpopularity as a son of Rugoba; he was anxious to keep well with the British government, and really had a partiality for the English, though he rather chose to depend on Sindia, than to adopt, by calling in their aid, a course which he could not retrace. The establishment of an English subsidiary force, was, it is true, in many respects consonant to his disposition: protection and support against his own subjects, could such have been obtained unfettered by control, being the end at which he aimed; and, if the proposal had been met in the first instance, or afterwards allowed to come from himself, he would have had recourse to that plan at an earlier period. But the haste with which the Marquis Wellesley expected his agents to push on his system, evinced an anxiety which retarded his object at Poona, where the resident prognosticated, that it would never be accomplished, until Bajee Rao had found that all his own schemes were fallacious.

Sindia’s affairs in Malwa at length became in the highest degree critical. Jeswunt Rao Holkar’s energy and success threatened the entire subjugation of that province, a great part of which he had already pillaged and laid waste. The rise of this predatory chieftain was singularly rapid. After his escape from Nagpoor, he fled to Dhar, where he was kindly received by Anund Rao Pawar; but as soon as Sindia heard of his retreat, Anund Rao being unable to shelter him from the power of that chief, he furnished him with a few horses and a

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little money; with which slender commencement, by enterprise and pillage, he soon collected a band of marauders, and united to his fortunes Umeer Khan, a Patan adventurer at the head of a well-mounted body of his countrymen, and who, by his abilities and predatory habits, was a fit auxiliary for the schemes which Holkar meditated.

Khassee Rao Holkar, according to the first declaration of the party who opposed him, was set aside from incapacity. Jeswunt Rao being illegitimate gave himself out as the subordinate agent of his, nephew, Khundee Rao, in custody at Poona, and invited all adherents of the house of Holkar,, to unite with him in upholding the name, and rescuing the territories and family from the power of Doulut Rao Sindia. Proceeding to the banks of the Nerbuddah he levied contributions, and plundered Sindia’s villages. A detachment of Khassee Rao’s regular infantry, sent against him by the-Chevalier Dudrenec, was defeated, which greatly raised Jeswunt Rao’s reputation, and brought on a, negotiation which ended in Dudrenec’s joining him with his battalions and guns, and in Jeswunt Rao’s, being recognised and obeyed as the representative: of his nephew, which, shortly after, enabled him to commence regular payments, to his troops. But the predatory system, being the mode of warfare he followed, the work of pillage and destruction, went forward, and Sindia’s territory in Malwa, was half ruined, before he had taken any steps to stop, the formidable progress of Jeswunt Rao90.

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The cause of this military imbecility, on the part of Sindia, was the state of parties at his Durbar. To impede Holkar’s career, threats and conciliation were successively resorted to by Doulut Rao’s ministers, and Jeswunt Rao, on promise of being supported by Sindia against Khassee Rao, agreed to seize the Byes, to whom he had before proffered friendship. He accordingly attacked their troops, forced the ladies into Burhanpoor, where he besieged them, but they were so fortunate, as to escape towards Meywar, through the aid of Juggoo Bappoo, the colleague of Lukwa Dada. Sindia supposed, that in permitting them to get off, Holkar had acted with double treachery, so that, whether the supposition was well or ill-founded, this action was deservedly of no advantage to Jeswunt Rao. Sindia now became convinced that his presence was absolutely necessary to the north ward, and in the end of November, quitted the Peishwa’s territory, where he left five battalions of regular infantry,, and 10,000 horse under Shirzee Rao Ghatgay, having, before he set out, exacta from the Peishwa, bills to the amount of forty-seven lacks of rupees91.

1801

Sindia’s progress was tardy, and Jeswunt Rao continued to plunder and levy contributions throughout Malwa. Hearing of Sindia’s great army, Holkar called in his detachments, and concentrated his force in the neighbourhood of Oojein, with an intention of plundering it.

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During this period, there was a pause in their hostilities, and Sindia, in hopes of ensuring the protection of his capital, detached for that purpose, four battalions from his own camp at Burhanpoor, under Colonel John Hessing. Two battalions and six companies, under Captain McIntyre, were ordered on to support Hessing; but Holkar, who saw that it was impossible to avoid extremities, and of the highest importance to strike a successful blow at the outset, first made a show of opposing Hessing, and drew him under the walls of Oojein, where, leaving some troops to amuse him, he pushed on to cut off the detachment under McIntyre, in which he succeeded, having compelled them to lay down their arms at Newree.

June 1801

With his troops thus encouraged, he returned to the more arduous attack of Hessing, and a most obstinate contest was maintained by that officer, until his men were completely overpowered. Of eleven European officers in Hessing’s four battalions, most of whom were British, seven were killed, and three were made prisoners. Hessing alone escaped, and four-fifths of his corps are said to have been killed and wounded92.

July 1801

Having exacted a very heavy contribution from Oojein, Holkar next proceeded to attack Sindia’s grand park of artillery, which had passed the Nerbuddah, and under the protection of the four battalions of Captain Brownrigg, and a body of horse, was awaiting the junction of the army from Burhanpoor. Brownrigg, on

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hearing of Holkar’s approach, chose a very strong position, which he defended with such judgment and intrepidity, that Holkar’s utmost efforts were unavailing93.

This defence, as it checked Holkar’s career, was of the greatest importance to Sindia, who had all this time remained inactive at Burhanpoor; but he now used every exertion to get his army sent across the Nerbuddah, in which he was much assisted by Rughoojee Bhonslay94.

Events were in the meantime occurring at Poona which require notice, as some of them were a good deal influenced by news from the northward. Bajee Rao, on Sindia’s departure, instead of endeavouring to conciliate parties, evinced a malignant spirit of revenge towards all the great families whom he suspected of ever having been the political opponents of himself or his father. To distress and pillage all such of them as fell into his power, was, from first to last, a favourite object of his policy. The respectable family of Rastia was among the earliest who experienced his malevolence. Mahdoo Rao Rastia was invited on a friendly visit to the Peishwa’s palace, seized, and hurried off as a prisoner to Raigurh. The unpopularity of this deed was proportionate to its treachery and injustice; many instances though of a less conspicuous nature, occurred; the minds of his subjects

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were alienated, and distrust, and disaffection, towards Bajee Rao’s power and government became almost universal. Anarchy was spreading in the country. Bodies of insurgent horse were plundering in various directions One party under Bal Kishen Gungadhur was defeated by Gunput Rao Phansay; and Wittoojee Holkar, the brother of Jeswunt Rao, who was concerned with him, and taken prisoner, was barbarously and ignominiously executed at Poona.

1 April 1801

That the Peishwa had a right to inflict the punishment of death, on subjects so taken in arms, cannot be doubted, but insurrection and plundering are not rigidly viewed among Mahrattas, and in public opinion a more lenient sentence than loss of life, ought to have been passed upon the son of Tookajee Holkar; that circumstance, however, operated differently on the mind of the Peishwa, who could not forget that he was the son of the friend of Nana Furnuwees. Having seated himself with his favourite Ballajee Koonjur at a window which overlooked the exterior court of his palace, Wittoojee Holkar was brought before the Peishwa, and there tied to the foot of an elephant; in vain did he offer lip the humblest supplications for life and mercy; the execution went forward; Bajee Rao sat a composed spectator and heard the yells of the unhappy malefactor as the animal dragged _him forth from the palace yard, to a lingering death, as in his case it happened to be, in the public street95.

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Bajee Rao, by this cruel proceeding, at once glutted his revenge, and performed an acceptable piece of courtesy to Sindia; but Jeswunt Rao, who loved his brother, vowed vengeance on those whom he considered his murderers; and his threats, being soon followed by news of his success against Hessing, communicated an alarm to the conscious and cowardly mind of the Peishwa, which towards Holkar, he could never afterwards conquer. He now, however, opened a negotiation with him, offering to recognise him as the heir of Tookajee Holkar, on condition of his giving up the territories of the family in the Deccan, estimated at twenty-five lacks of rupees of annual revenue. He was also encouraged, by the prospect of Sindia’s being long occupied in the north, to devise means of ridding his country of the presence of Shirzee Rao Ghatgay, who only increased the trouble and disorders, to prevent which was the pretext for his being left in the Deccan. After plundering to the southward, he repaired to Poona with a small party, where he became importunate in his demands for money, sat in dhurna on the favourite Ballajee Koonjur, and insulted the whole of the Peishwa’s court. At last Koonjur, on pretence of giving him some orders on bankers, invited him to his house, received him graciously, and shortly after got up as if to bring the bills agreed upon. His quitting the room was to be, in reality, the signal for seizing or murdering Ghatgay, but the latter, guessing his intention, instantly grasped his throat with one hand, drew his sword with the other, and in this manner dragged him to the

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street, where springing on his horse he galloped off to join his party, pursued his route to his army, brought the whole to Poona, and encamped within a mile of the city, which he threatened to plunder and burn. Messages full of conciliatory explanation were sent by Bajee Rao, but the mediation of the British resident became necessary to prevent extremities. The accounts, however, of Sindia’s reverses in Malwa, and his express desire that Shirzee Rao should join him immediately to assume command of the army against Holkar, effectually rid the Peishwa of this turbulent and audacious man.

Having joined the army after it had crossed the Nerbuddah, Shizee Rao was sent forward with ten thousand horse, and fourteen battalions under Colonel Sutherland, to avenge the plunder of Oojein by retaliating on Indore, the capital of Holkar. Jeswunt Rao advanced to its protection with some regular battalions, but without European officers, five thousand irregular infantry and about 25,000 horse.

14 October 1801

Skirmishes of some days duration terminated in a well concerted but ill-executed attack on the part of Holkar, and a signal defeat was the consequence. He lost ninety-eight pieces of cannon, and his capital was completely plundered. The remorseless Ghatgay had here a full opportunity of indulging his disposition to violence, which he fully gratified in dreadful acts of wanton and barbarous cruelty.

Had Sindia followed up the blow, the power of Jeswunt Rao was, by this victory, annihilated ; but supposing him to be completely humbled, and

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being advised to recognise him as guardian to the head of the Holkar family, Sindia made proposals to that effect, and even sent Khassee Rao from his camp, who was thus compelled to seek an asylum in that of his half-brother. But Jeswunt Rao, whether suspicious of Sindia, encouraged by the Peishwa, or led on by an enterprising confidence in his own fortune, was immoderate in his demands; and although become, since his defeat, dependant entirely on plunder, his adventurous spirit was attractive to the soldiery, amongst whom he had a very high reputation, and many of Sindia’s troops deserted to him, even at this stage of his career.

1802

But Dudrenec, conceiving it prudent to withdraw from a falling cause, listened to overtures from Sindia, which his battalions, more faithful than their commander, having discovered, went off in a body, and joined Jeswunt Rao at Jowud. Holkar now adopted a new plan, and determined on carrying the war into the Deccan. With this view Futih Sing Manay was detached with a body of horse, to ravage the Peishwa’s districts; the regular infantry took up a position at Mohesir, whilst Jeswunt Rao in person, in order to veil his intentions, went off to the northward with the remainder of his followers, to plunder in Malwa and Rajpootana, in hopes of drawing Sindia’s forces after him, and thus facilitating his future design. He acquired very considerable booty, but Sindia did not pursue him as he ex, petted, a detachment only having been sent after him. Holkar might therefore have been induced to reap a larger harvest in pillage, but the Peishwa,

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having seized his districts in Candeish, he was hurried into the Deccan for their recovery. Previous, however, to his arrival, an advanced body of his troops attacked the Peishwa’s general, Dhondoo Punt Ghorebulay, defeated him, and retook the districts.

As soon as Jeswunt Rao was joined by his infantry from Mohesir, he assailed Sindia’s possessions in Candeish, which he plundered and devastated without mercy, declaring at the same time, that he was about to proceed to Poona, to claim the interference of the Peishwa in protecting him, as the agent a the head of the Holkar family, against the tyrannical usurpation of Doulut Rao.

Notwithstanding this appeal to the Peishwa, Futih Sing Manay showed no respect to his territory, but swept the villages on the banks of the Godavery, by contribution and plunder; whilst Shah Amed Khan, another officer detached by Jeswunt Rao, carried his ravages still nearer the Peishwa’s capital, and being opposed by Nursing Khundee Rao, the Jagheerdar of Vinchoor, at the head of fifteen hundred horse, the latter were cut off almost to a man.

The consternation at Poona was great in consequence, and Bajee Rao renewed his negotiations with the British government, desiring the aid of a force, but objecting to its being stationed within his own territory-; neither would he consent to the articles of the treaty of Mhar, nor the arbitration of the British government in the Mahratta claims on Nizam Ally.

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Sindia, supported by Rughoojee Bhonslay, exerted his utmost influence to obstruct the conclusion of any arrangement with the British government, with which he was himself negociating, not with any intention of becoming a party to the defensive alliance, against which both the Raja of Berar and Sindia always maintained a strenuous opposition, but merely to gain a certain degree of consequence, which the presence of the British envoy in his camp was at that time likely to create in the mind of the Peishwa.

It is difficult to account for the inactivity of Sindia in the prosecution of the war against Holkar. Doulut Rao became, about this period, suspicious of Perron, but the death of Lukwa Dada, and a final arrangement concluded with the Byes by Ambajee Inglia, one of Sindia’s principal officers, left him nothing to apprehend in Hindoostan, which should have prevented his following up Holkar. After much delay he at last ordered Sewdasheo Bhow Bhaskur to march against Jeswunt Rao with a large body of cavalry, and ten battalions of infantry under Captain Dawes. This force forded the Nerbuddah without impediment; but on their arrival at Burhanpoor the troops refused to advance without payment of all their arrears, and before these could be settled, the Taptee was so swollen that they could not cross. Jeswunt Rao at first moved as if to give them battle on the southern bank; but if such was his intention, he soon abandoned, it, and again moved towards Poona. The Peishwa tried by every means to prevent his advance, desired him to state his de-wands, and promised to arbitrate all differences if

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he would remain to the northward of the Godavery. “My brother Wittoojee,” replied Jeswunt Rao, “is dead, – he cannot be restored to me; but let Khundee Rao, my nephew, be released, and let the family possessions be given up.” To these conditions Bajee Rao appeared to assent, and assured Holkar he had sent an order for the release of Khundee Rao; but instead of which, he begged of Sewdasheo Bhow Bhaskur to take advantage of the negotiation, and advance with all speed, while Khundee Rao was thrown into prison in the fort of Asseergurh.

Shortly afterwards, a body of the Peishwa’s troops, under Pandoojee Koonjur, attempted to oppose Futih Sing Manay at Gardoon, but were defeated with loss; Manay followed up his victory by attacking the Peishwa’s camp at. Baramuttee, where he routed Nana Poorundhuree and: Gunput Rao Phansay, taking the whole of the artillery. The southern Jagheerdars, particularly the Putwurdhuns, who had evinced considerable discontent towards the Peishwa since the treacherous seizure of Rastia, might have prevented or avenged this loss; but except Chintamun Rao, none of the Putwurdhuns joined the. Peishwa’s standard at this period, and that chief took the first opportunity of quitting it.

Sewdasheo Bhow Bhaskur at the head of Sindia’s, forces, having passed Holkar’s army, advanced by Janina and Bheer towards Poona, and having formed a junction with the Peishwa’s troops, the united armies prepared to oppose Holkar at the Ally Beylah pass, on which he was marching.

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23 October 1802

But Holkar, aware of the strength of their position, made a circuit to the eastward, passed Ahmednugur, proceeded towards Jejoory, formed a junction with Futih Sing Manay, descended the Rajwaree pass, and on the 23d.

October encamped in the neighbourhood of Poona, between Lonee and Harupseer. The opposing army had returned from Ally Beylah about eight days before, and occupied a position nearer the city, and in the vicinity of the present cantonment of the British troops. Two days were spent in negotiation. The Peishwa demanded Holkar’s reason for thus advancing in a hostile manner to his capital, and ordered him to retire. The latter professed his readiness to obey every order from the Peishwa when he was not under the control of Sindia, but that Sindia had disobeyed the Peishwa’s orders, had rendered the confinement of Khundee Rao doubly severe, and had sent his army to prevent that mediation which the Peishwa had promised; that Sindia therefore was the real rebel, and he would soon oblige him to submit to the sovereign authority of the Peishwa.

25 October 1802

The armies drew out for battle on the morning of the 25th October. Holkar had fourteen battalions; six under Colonel Vickers, four under Major Harding, and four under Major Armstrong: 5,000 irregular infantry, and 25,000 horse. Although Sindia’s infantry was in every respect much inferior to that of Holkar, Sewdasheo Bhow Bhaskur did not decline the contest, to which he was strongly urged by Captain Dawes. His cavalry and irregular infantry, including those belonging to the Peishwa,

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were, in point of numbers, at least equal to those of Holkar. The action began, at half past nine o’clock, by a brisk cannonade, which continued with little interruption for two hours and a half: A body of Holkar’s Patan cavalry made a successful charge on the horse of the Jagheerdar of Vinchoor, but Futih Sing Manay, in a like attempt on the Peishwa’s Hoojrat Pagah, (or horse on the personal establishment,) was repulsed, with very considerable loss. Sindia’s cavalry followed up the advantage, and those of Holkar were on the point of discomfiture, when Holkar himself, who had taken his station in the rear, sprang on his horse, and calling to those near him, now or never to follow Jeswunt Rao, rallied the fugitives, and collected a compact body of his best horse, with which he met and repulsed those of Sindia.

In the meantime, six of Sindia’s battalions, which were without European officers, and opposed to those of Holkar under Vickers, had given way. The remaining four, however, being of the old battalions of De Boigne, though with only four European officers to head them, behaved with great intrepidity. They stood their ground with remarkable firmness and discipline; but Holkar, having driven off the cavalry, charged the infantry, cut down the artillery-men at their guns, killed three of the European officers of the battalions, and took the fourth prisoner: still these battalions fought on, till they were completely overpowered by the persevering and desperate efforts of Holkar, who headed his cavalry, in charge after charge, and at length bore all before him. A complete

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victory was the reward of the uncommon energy displayed by Jeswunt Rao on this memorable occasion. The whole of Sindia’s guns, baggage, and stores, fell into his hands, and the army of his rival was driven off the field. Holkar’s troops were ordered to fall back, and not to enter the town, but many of them showing no inclination to obey, he compelled them to desist, by turning his own guns upon them.

The Peishwa, not doubting of success, had quitted his palace, with an idea of joining in the action; but the noise of the firing frightened him, and he turned off to the southward of the town, to, await the result. On ascertaining the fate of the battle, he fled, with about seven thousand followers, to the fort of Singurh, and despatched to Colonel Close, the British resident, a preliminary engagement, binding himself to subsidize six battalions of Sepoys, and to cede twenty-five lacks of rupees of annual revenue for their support. In the course of the previous negotiation he had conceded that point which regarded, their being stationed within his own dominions.

Towards the close of the action, the cavalry of the contending armies were very near the British residency. Colonel Close had taken the precaution of hoisting the British flag, in the most conspicuous parts about the Sungum, which had the effect of ensuring the respect of both parties.

Holkar sent an invitation to the resident to come and see him on the following day, which Colonel Close did not think it prudent to decline. He found the conqueror in a small tent, ankle deep in

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mud, wounded by a spear, and with a sabre cut in the head, which last he received from an artillery-man, in one of the charges. In his conversation he was polite and frank, spoke lightly of his wounds, and expressed himself in the most friendly manner towards the resident and the British government. He seemed extremely desirous of obtaining the mediation of the resident in settling with Sindia and the Peishwa, and solicited Colonel Close, whom he detained about a month at Poona, to arbitrate in the existing differences.

For a short time after his victory, Holkar assumed an appearance of great moderation; he placed guards for the protection of the city, treated all the dependants of the Peishwa with kindness, and used many vain endeavours to induce him to return to his palace. Bajee Rao remained for three days at Singurh, and then hastily retired to Raigurh, where he released Mahdoo Rao Rastia, till then confined in that fortress, restored his Jagheer, and gave him a commission to raise men for his service.

Quitting Raigurh the Peishwa proceeded to Mhar, whence he despatched letters to the Bombay government, requesting that ships might be sent to convey him and his followers to that island. Before a reply was sent to that communication, Khundee Rao Rastia, the Sur-Soobehdar of Bassein, had joined Bajee Rao at Mhar; but on hearing of the approach of Holkar’s troops, who were sent in pursuit of him, the Peishwa repaired to Severndroog, where he resided for some time, under protection

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of that fort, until again alarmed by accounts of Umeer Khan’s being in the neighbourhood, he crossed over to Rewadunda, and thence embarking in an English ship, provided for his reception, he proceeded, accompanied by Khundee Rao Rastia, to Bassein, where he landed 6th December.

Previous to entering on the events at Poona, and the articles of provision of the treaty of Bassein, or its important consequences, it is necessary to explain the state of affairs in Guzerat, and the immediate causes which led to the connection, still subsisting, between the Gaekwar and the English; leaving their definitive treaty of 1805, and all subsequent settlements, to be explained in their natural order.

Footnotes

89. Mahratta MSS.

90. Sir John Malcolm.

91. Twenty-five by bills on Poona bankers; ten by a bill on. the Gaekwar; and twelve by an assignment on Bundelcund. Mahratta MS.. Col. Palmer’s despatches.

92. Ferdinand Lewis Smith.

93. In this action, Dewajee Gokla, an officer of rank, Lieut. Rowbotham, and three hundred men were killed, on the part of Sindia; Holkar’s loss was three times that number.

94. Ferdinand Lewis Smith; Bombay Records, and Sir John Malcolm.

95. Mahratta MSS. Oral information; and Palmer’s despatches.

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
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