The animosity between Bajirao Peshwa and Raghuji Bhosale had persisted at least since the 1720s when Raghuji began campaigning in various parts of Berar and Malwa region. In 1738, Bajirao had asked Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj to send Raghuji to his help when he was fighting the Nizam at Bhopal, however, he did not join him. One finds the two operating in different areas, and in 1739, Bajirao’s lieutenant Aavji Kavde had fought a battle with Raghuji and been defeated.
The Peshwa’s agents, however, had accompanied the army to the Carnatic and sent him newsletters regularly. A letter from Vyankaji Shivdeo in February 1741 gave details of the events in the south over the previous year, “Shrimant Rau (Bajirao) had good relations with Saadat-ullah Khan whose rule he supported, for which he was promised a tribute of one lakh seventy-five thousand rupees a year. Rajashree Swami (Shahu) also wrote to Arcot’s principal to pay Rau as decided every year. This went smoothly for eight or ten years. On Saadat-ullah Khan’s demise, Dost Ali also observed the treaty. Rajashree Fatehsingh and Raghuji Bhosale came and looted Arcot, and Dost Ali lost his life. Safdar Ali was in Tiruchirappalli, he came later, and I met him at Vellore (and told him), ‘What was God’s will has happened. However, even though Dost Ali is no more, the Shrimant will not allow his affection to lessen. I will ensure you will get even greater support from the Shrimant.’ Meanwhile, Fatehsinghbaba and Raghuji Bhosale have signed a treaty and extorted forty lakh rupees.
“Just then news arrived that Rau Swami had passed away. Hence, the R named person (Raghuji) was very happy. On hearing this news, he celebrated. However, knowing that in Rau’s place there stand Shrimant Appa Swami (Chimaji Appa) and Maharaj, there was some fear in his heart.”
The letter is a long one covering events of almost a year and we will read the rest of it a little later. The letter does confirm, however, the clear divide between the Peshwa and Raghuji.
On hearing of Bajirao’s death, Raghuji Bhosale, therefore, wanted the new Peshwa to be a person who would support him. Babuji Naik had already aligned himself to Raghuji’s party, and being militarily weak, he would remain a pliable instrument in Raghuji’s hands. Raghuji decided to support his candidature. In the days after the battle of Damalcheri, Raghuji felt it worth making the long journey from the Carnatic to Satara to use his influence towards this political objective.
At Satara, with Raghuji’s support, Babuji staked his claim to be the next Peshwa. However, Shahu did not agree with Raghuji and decided that Nanasaheb ought to be the next Peshwa. Indeed, the relation Shahu had with Nanasaheb was one of affection, while he had looked upon Bajirao with some apprehension. Nanasaheb had stayed as his father’s representative at Satara for many years, and his efficiency, tact, and polite manners had endeared him to Maharaj. Shahu, therefore, trusted Nanasaheb, even more than he did his father Bajirao.
Babuji Naik used to maintain his own armed contingent. Raghuji Bhosale urged Maharaj to grant the office of the Peshwa to him. Mahadoba Purandare and Govindrao Chitnis weighed in on the other side, and Maharaj gave the office of the Peshwa to Nanasaheb, in lieu of an annual submission of the fixed amount. There is also one reference which mentions, that Tarabai had a role to play in this whole affair around getting Shahu to grant the office of the Peshwa to Babuji Naik. Raghuji Bhosale was never aligned with the Peshwas. It would have given his side a huge shot in the arm if Bajirao’s household lost the office of the Peshwa. Raghuji also felt that somewhere down the line his son too stood a chance to acquire the Satara throne itself. Whatever the case, this whole effort did not bear fruit, neither did he get sufficient time. Duff’s proposition, that Nanasaheb got the office of the Peshwa in the month of August 1740 is incorrect. Shahu, in fact, granted the office of the Peshwa to Nanasaheb on 25 June 1740 itself, i.e. exactly two months after Bajirao’s death. Shahu dispatched his trusted lieutenants to Pune, to bring him back to Satara. It is clear, that he did not favour Babuji for the post. Since the time he arrived at Satara, till the time he was actually granted the office, there was a large gap. It is possible that some of the efforts took place during this period. But this issue did not gather as much steam at the time as it was highlighted by Duff.
Even Bajirao’s opponents, such as Shripatrao Pratinidhi, supported Nanasaheb to be the next Peshwa. Nanasaheb had already pulled him into his own party. Actually, almost all the contemporary people were agreed about Nanasaheb’s candidature for the job. All the Sardars and diplomats, Brahmins or not, all favoured Nanasaheb. The general feeling was, youthful and capable Nanasaheb was indeed able to take upon his shoulders the burden of an expanding kingdom, especially in Shahu’s old age. To top it, Shahu absolutely loved him. His father and grandfather had displayed wonderful magic and had given a specific direction to the enterprise of the Maratha Confederacy. Recognising that nobody else had the strength to fulfil all those objectives, Shahu appropriately conferred upon him the office of the Peshwa. This ceremony was then completed with the usual pomp and glory.
To be continued…
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