Raghuji understood completely, that the Peshwa was chief of the Maratha Sardars, if he opposed him, he would be left standing alone, would become helpless, it would become extremely difficult for him to secure anybody else’s support, and his enemies would benefit from this. He realised perfectly well, if he wanted to succeed in his project of invading Bengal, the external help his enemies were getting should be stopped. It was evident what kind of help Aliwardi Khan was going to get from the Badshah. After all, the Nawab was trying to take the benefit of the competition between him and the Peshwa to turn the tables on him. So, he decided to reconcile with the Peshwa and foil the Nawab’s plan.
Since Raghuji had decided to dump the animosity within his heart, and got ready to accept the predominance of the Peshwa, the main bone of contention vanished. Nanasaheb was also eager for a reconciliation. His nature was not adamant or abrasive like his father. Since he was young as well, he did not find it appropriate to excessively oppose these close relatives of the Chhatrapati. After arriving at Satara from the campaign, since both of them were ready to forget the mutual animosity, the reconciliation negotiations started through the mediators. Very soon a news spread to the effect that, “Raghuji and Shrimant had reconciled on the point of the authority of Sardeshmukhi of Patna. Therefore, the Nawab (Safdarjung) should write to Mahabat Jung i.e. Aliwardi Khan and bring about a treaty with Raghuji. Shrimant does not need Bengal. Whatever revenues are collected at Prayag, should be given over to the Peshwa.”
All the details of the campaign had already been conveyed to Satara. The moment the basic point was agreed upon by the Peshwa and Raghuji, no time was lost in bringing about the compromise. Eventually, Maharaj called both of them to Satara for a meeting, brought about the reconciliation between them, and clearly demarcated the areas of action for each of them. He decided that the Peshwa should not intervene in the regions from Berar up to Cuttack province, Bengal, Bihar, Lucknow etc. and the regions of Ajmer, Agra, Prayag, and Malwa along with the tract between Allahabad and Patna were identified as the area of action for the Peshwa (on 31 August 1743). The Peshwa agreed not to interfere in Bengal. As a consequence, his commitment to Aliwardi Khan that he would protect Bengal from Raghuji’s invasion fell through, and future invasions were accordingly executed by Raghuji. Raghuji secured the Peshwa’s approval for his invasion of Bengal, and in the next eight years, he carried out passionate struggle with Aliwardi Khan and finally succeeded in implementing his rights over Bengal. The dispute between the Peshwa and Raghuji which had lingered from Bajirao’s time was settled amicably, and from then on, the two cooperated with each other.
Chitnis wrote, “(Maharaj) brought about a friendship between the two, and ordered celebratory feasts. He got both of them to pledge at his feet about not holding any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in their heart. Both of them partook in the government celebratory feasts. Both were granted the things confirming the agreement. Maharaj showered upon both the feasts, honours, and bade them farewell.”
Aliwardi Khan was expecting Bhaskarram’s invasions to end with the Peshwa’s help. This hope was belied. With Nanasaheb and Raghuji burying their hatchet and dividing up their zones of activity, Aliwardi was left to fend for himself. On Raghuji’s withdrawal, he reoccupied Cuttack and appointed a new deputy Governor there along with Durlabhram, the son of his own trusted aide Janakiram as the Dewan.
Around the Dussehra of 1743, after Shahu brought about a reconciliation between the Peshwa and Senasahebsuba, the Peshwa never paid any attention to the region of Bengal towards the east. All that responsibility was borne by Raghuji independently. The Marathas had not quite finished their business in Bengal. Raghuji’s demand for Chauth had not been accepted and after his agreement with the Peshwa, he was free to enter the province again. A new decade of war and murders in the east was about to begin and the Nawab was to have no peace. Raghuji immediately went back to Nagpur, and got the preparations completed for Bhaskarram to complete the unfinished business from yore. Pant had earned huge plunder from Bengal, and was eager to avenge the riot at Khatwa. The year 1744 began with Raghuji planning yet another campaign to Bengal. The Nawab on the other hand, felt the agreement with the Peshwa would secure the province from further invasions. For Aliwardi Khan just one battle had been won, the war was far from over. The Marathas had not given him a moment of peace since the day he usurped the office of the Subedar from Sarfaraz Khan. Raghuji and Bhaskarram had not given up their aim of subjugating Bengal. On his retreat, Raghuji had sent out ‘Bairagi’ troops to attack Raajmahal, Bhagalpur, and Baluchar. The guerrilla war left the Nawab running from place to place to put out small fires.
To be continued…
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