Around the time Nanasaheb was anointed the Peshwa, Sambhaji II from Kolhapur was on a visit to Satara to meet Shahu. Sambhaji II arrived at Jejuri for this visit on 2 June 1740, and on 30 March 1741, he took Maharaj’s leave and went back to Kolhapur.
Shahu was now nearing sixty and there was no male heir to the throne. New difficulties were cropping up with the expansion in the kingdom. Nanasaheb wished that the two parts of the Maratha kingdom be united. Nanasaheb and other thoughtful people close to the ruling circle, had realised the constant loss that the kingdom would face due to the internal discord. They were already asking themselves: the applecart (of the kingdom) would run smooth until Shahu was alive, but what after that? Some master was required for all the activities of the state. There was no opportunity to remove this thorn in the flesh during Bajirao’s lifetime. Nanasaheb and Chimaji Appa thought about this and decided the future course of action. The Pratinidhi too worked on Nanasaheb’s side. An idea originated that after Shahu Maharaj, giving the throne to Sambhaji II would help consolidate the domestic affairs, and accordingly, in the meeting of 1740, Nanasaheb negotiated with Sambhaji II and gave him an agreement signed by both himself and Chimaji Appa. This agreement was the first big task taken up by Nanasaheb as the Peshwa. It contained twelve distinct clauses which would anoint Sambhaji II as the successor to Shahu Maharaj, the Peshwa would bring him to Satara and unify the Empire under him. Its overall purport was, “The Satara Kingdom should be managed by the Swami (Peshwa), and the overall stamp of authority should belong to Maharaj (Sambhaji II). While Shahu Maharaj is alive, he is being worshipped outwardly, while inside our hearts, we are servants of the Swami (Sambhaji II). After Shahu Maharaj passes away, both the kingdoms would belong to the Swami (Sambhaji II) and we will also serve him. We pledge that we will behave as per the Swami’s (Sambhaji II) orders. It is decided that both the kingdoms would be merged, a unified authority belonging to the Swami (Sambhaji II) will prevail, and we will continue serving the way we served in Shahu Maharaj’s reign. We will not waver from this. Such was the request submitted by us servants at the time when Shahu Maharaj was alive, while living at Satara.”
This secret agreement must have happened without Shahu’s knowledge; because if he had got any wind of the agreement, he would have instantly become upset and angry with Nanasaheb. Shahu would have never liked Sambhaji II to assume the throne at Satara after him. Howsoever sweet the external behaviour, the animosity of the competitive spirit amongst the two brothers had not completely vanished from Shahu’s mind. However, the idea of merging the two kingdoms from Nanasaheb was advantageous for the kingdom and very good diplomatically.
The Peshwa entered into this agreement with Sambhaji II nine years before Shahu’s death, and it was not possible to somehow implement it after Shahu’s death. When Ramraja was installed on the throne afterwards, the Peshwas never needed to implement it. But it is necessary to remember, that the Peshwa had begun this important project during the period of Sambhaji II’s visit to Satara in 1740. Undoubtedly, this was an excellent way to benefit the overall kingdom. This plan did not succeed only because Shahu had left explicit written orders that, “Do not install anybody from Kolhapur.”
But Nanasaheb’s general policy was to resolve such affairs which would prove detrimental to the routine administration of the kingdom as much as possible. Accordingly, he maintained friendly relations with Sambhaji II and Jijabai II, and even Sambhaji II did not blame the Peshwa for breaking this treaty. This does not mean, that the Peshwa committed treachery with Shahu when he wrote that he was ‘serving Shahu outwardly’. This treaty did not mean any loss to Shahu. If Shahu had arranged for Sambhaji II to be brought onto Satara’s throne instead of Tarabai intervening to draft Ramraja in, it would have been more beneficial for the kingdom. Such a huge secret deal was taken upon his shoulders by Nanasaheb when he was just nineteen years of age. It is especially important that instead of getting dejected due to the death of such an illustrious and powerful father, he carried ahead the project of the Maratha Confederacy as necessary and with sufficient diligence.
To be continued…
NDHistories 