Travelling on from Edlabad (Muktainagar), the Peshwa crossed the Narmada. Even before, he had got the news, that Malharrao Holkar had captured the Dhar outpost on 5 January 1741. Similarly, in the Nemad province, there were stations like Handia, Badi Deori, Chhoti Deori etc. which were reported to be captured by Aavji Kavde and Trimbak Hari. Thus, even before the grant notifications from the Badshah fell into his hands, the Peshwa had begun to establish actual Maratha control all over Malwa. In late January 1741, Nanasaheb asserted his control over the small state of Ater south of the river Chambal. Bajirao had defeated the ruler in 1737 and laid down the policy of succession to be followed. Of late, the Mughals had begun to interfere in the state. Nanasaheb wrote to Mahadevbhat Hingne at Delhi to reinstate Himmat Singh as its ruler and convey the decision to Sawai Jaisingh. Issues such as these, that were carried forward from Bajirao’s time were attended to at this time.
On 16 February 1741, he wrote to Hingne, “We wrote to Malharrao not to trouble any of the regions belonging to Sawaiji. He would comply. You too discuss wisely with Sawaiji and ensure that our objectives are accomplished. Do not tarry in this regard. We trust Sawaiji completely. It behoves his stature of an elder statesman to allay our debt burden and acquire whatever is possible from the Badshah for us. If he desires something in kind, write back.”
This letter also reminded Hingne that the Nizam had agreed to pay fifteen lakh rupees, exempt the pilgrim tax at Prayag and hand over Kashi to the Peshwa. As Jaisingh was the go-between to deal with the Badshah, Nanasaheb asked Hingne to speak to the Jaipur ruler and get these done. He also wrote to Holkar not to harass Rampur, as it was a territory belonging to Sawai Jaisingh who was helping the Peshwa in Delhi. Hingne was also dispatched to resolve the matter between Holkar and Jaipur.
Nanasaheb spent the months of March and April 1741 in establishing this control everywhere, and collecting tributes from places in Malwa. It is not possible to give sole credit of whatever success was achieved in this campaign to Nanasaheb only. He had the support of erstwhile capable, experienced, colleagues, diplomats and warriors. Shinde, Holkar, Pawar, Pilaji Jadhavrao, Ramchandra Malhar, Mahadoba Purandare etc. were working in the background ahead of his visit or after him in the tasks of establishing control and collecting tributes.
Mahadevbhat Hingne was placed at Jaisingh’s court. The Peshwa wrote to him, “Tomorrow on Monday the meeting is scheduled for twenty hours. Therefore, you ought to come here (this side of Chambal) taking along three people (as protocol hostages). Malharba is insisting here, that we should hand over them to him, and then go for the meeting. We don’t need to worry when we have Biharidas Bhaiji there. You bring sons of Rajmalji and Hemraj, these would be the two, and one gentleman from the copper-skinned should be brought here and left with Malharba. Most importantly, whatever political move you have engaged in with Sawaiji, you ought to carry it to conclusion, and bring about a friendship between both the parties.” To ensure there was no betrayal, the above precaution of keeping some people hostage at the time of the meeting.
Jaisingh reached Agra with his army. Aavji Kavde with Govind Hari Patwardhan were sent to check Mansoor Ali Khan towards Allahabad. Seeing this, Mansoor Ali Khan did not join Sawai Jaisingh, who changed his approach and decided to meet the Peshwa as a friend. It was decided that Jaisingh should come to Dhaulpur beyond the Chambal, and the Peshwa should go there from this side. Accordingly, in May 1741, Nanasaheb with Shinde and Holkar crossed the river Chambal and reached Dhaulpur. In week-long parleys at Dhaulpur in the summer of 1741, the Peshwa met Jaisingh and demanded Chauth from all Mughal provinces, and in exchange he undertook protection of the Mughal Empire by the Marathas.
The clauses which the Nizam had agreed to in the Battle of Bhopal had remained unfulfilled for various reasons. Later, when Bajirao died, Nanasaheb went on this campaign, mainly to get those agreement clauses complied to. His initial intention was to visit Delhi direct, meet with the Badshah, and get a quick result. By the time he reached Gwalior, Jaisingh began discussing with the Peshwa about a compromise on behalf of the Badshah. Delhi court was now convinced that it was impossible for them to give battle to resist the Marathas. The negotiations went on between Agra and Gwalior for two months. The Peshwa initially put forth a larger demand, that the Badshah should agree to grant the Marathas the Chauth of all Hindustan, so that the Marathas would become responsible for the protection of the whole country. Upon this, after the negotiations it was concluded, if the Firman granting the Subedar office of two provinces, Malwa and Gujarat, is issued immediately in favour of the Marathas, they would ignore their greater demands and leave. To this, the Badshah displayed his approval, and informed that the Firman would be dispatched with Mahadevbhat Hingne. However, they asked that the Peshwa should submit a written application to that effect, so that the Badshah then approve that request and issue the Firman. The Peshwa dispatched the written application, and got Jaisingh to agree for a face-to-face meeting to ensure all this documentation is actually materialised.
To be continued…
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