The triumphant return of Nanasaheb to Pune was somewhat under a cloud. On 5 June 1743, Raghuji had written to his envoys at Satara summing up the events of the campaign and asked them to inform Maharaj as follows, “On 5 June 1743, to Rajashree Balambhat and Rajashree Vishwanathbhat Gosavi (Vaidya brothers), Akhanda-Lakshmi-Alankrit (bedecked with unbroken wealth), Rajashree Raghuji Bhosale, Senasahebsuba submits his humble obeisance. This is to provide the details of happenings this side and to understand those from yours. For quite a few days now, we haven’t received any news from your side via any letter, so our heart grows suspicious. So, it must be calmed down by sending detailed news reports on your side. About the news this side, last year, Bhaskarram along with his army had attacked Maqsudabad (Murshidabad), fought with Aliwardi Khan, and encamped there itself thereafter. To assist him, we too went up to Shrigaya (Gaya) along with our force taking the usual stops. I found that Rajashree Balaji Pandit Pradhan with his army also came to the same place. He sent a messenger to us, after which I personally went to meet him, and discussed everything in detail. After this, we took leave from Rajashree Pradhan, and taking the usual stops proceeded on our way to defeat the copper-skinned at Maqsudabad. On our way, we halted at Khatwaganj (Khatwa) on the banks of Shribhagirathi (Bhagirathi) outside Maqsudabad. Upon that the Mughal approached via his emissaries for negotiation, saying they were ready for a treaty, pay a suitable tribute, and will hand over the control of the regions. Such negotiations were going on. But suddenly coming after me to Maqsudabad (Murshidabad), Rajashree Pantapradhan arrived near Maqsudabad from behind along with his forces. He intervened and sent a message that he had arrived for help (to the Nawab). He said that he had been ordered by the Badshah for this. He was ready to combine with their forces to drive away the Ganim (Marathas) from the regions. He caused this disturbance, got together with the Mughals and together with them attacked us. We had previously written all this to you, and you must have heard it earlier. After that, we came near Ramgadh Badami along with our force. Rajashree Pantapradhan (Prime Minister) gave leave to the Mughals to proceed to Maqsudabad, and himself proceeded to Gaya via Panchet. One of the stronger diplomats (earlier serving at the Nizam’s court) Rajashree Sheshrao is now with Aliwardi Khan. His letters mentioned that the Mughal desired to enter into a treaty with us. For this he wrote that we should send Rajashree Bhaskarram back along with the force and ourselves should proceed to homeland. Accordingly, we provided the faster cavalry force with Bhaskarram and sent him back. We took the larger force along with the camp followers and baggage train and arrived near Bendu’s Ghat with them. We marched off the next day, and since the pass was difficult, we came up front, crossed the Ghat and reached four to five kos ahead of the rest. Some of the vehicles in the baggage train had climbed up the Ghat, while some others had remained behind. Suddenly, Rajashree Pantapradhan arrived near the Bari (Ghat) after travelling long marches through the night, and attacked the rear of the baggage train. At that time, some of our men in the Bari clashed with some on his side. Hundred to two-hundred men and horses were killed. Hearing this news report, we turned around, and arrived in front of the Bari. Our men clashed again with theirs and we pushed them down out of the Bari. The sun was about to set, so we turned around and came to the force’s camp. This way, we have submitted this detailed report at the feet of Rajashree Swami to indicate that he had begun the fight. You will understand. Presently, we arrived back at Nagpur along with the whole army taking the usual stops. We write this letter so that you come to know. What more to write, do keep your affection towards us.”
In a letter dated 20 June 1743, Ranoji Shinde wrote, “Our army was at Maqsudabad (Murshidabad), we met Raghuji Bhosale, defeated him and we are now back in Malwa.”
Shahu Maharaj’s biography written in the Shahu Bakhar account by Malhar Ramrao Chitnis from the Chitnis family seems to contain perfect short summary of this whole affair. “Taking Shinde, Holkar, Pilaji Jadhav, and Pawar along, the Shrimant left for the north. Khandesh, Burhanpur, Malwa was placed under tribute. He stayed there for a year. Raghuji Bhosale went to Cuttack and Jagannath and to Hindustan up to Awadh and took a tribute. The Peshwa kept observing that Raghuji Bhosale was engaging in campaigns up to Cuttack, Jagannath (Puri), and capturing those places; further even threatening to campaign up to Awadh in north Hindustan and collect tribute from there. However, the Shrimant felt that the north Hindustan was assigned to him for campaigning by Maharaj, so he proceeded there. Bhosale said, ‘Whatever you can capture, you take. Whatever we can capture, we will.’ Such was the stalemate. Both the forces attacked that province. They clashed with each other in a battle. That too ended in a stalemate and both reverted back to their own positions. Then both decided that it was not appropriate to fight internally, they should write to Maharaj, and act according to whatever Maharaj advises. After this, they wrote detailed accounts to Maharaj. Maharaj replied upon that, it was not good that they had clashed amongst themselves. Both of them should come to meet the Maharaj face-to-face. Maharaj would hear both parties, fix the provincial responsibility and boundaries, and accordingly the tributes should be collected. Upon that, Pradhanpant left from there and returned.”
The Maratha ministers at Shahu’s Durbar protested at the Brahmin Peshwa’s attack on Raghuji. However, Maharaj did not blame Nanasaheb, choosing instead to mention Raghuji’s withdrawal from Pondicherry after being presented with bottles of French wine. He said, “Partaking liquor you sank the kingdom.”
To be continued…
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