On his way back to Pune, Nanasaheb stopped at Newai to resolve the Jaipur dispute. In the month of April 1748, the Peshwa met Madho Singh near Newai. Newai railway station is 39 miles south of Jaipur, on the track between Sawai Madhopur to Sanganer. Madho Singh had already obtained the help of Malharrao Holkar, while Ishwari Singh was supported by Jayappa Shinde. This was done without a reference to the Peshwa as the two chiefs were competing for influence in the north in order to increase their own revenue. Earlier, a battle fought between the two armies had seen Ishwari Singh emerge triumphant. It, therefore, became incumbent upon Nanasaheb to intervene. At Newai, Nanasaheb attempted to patch up an agreement between the two brothers, as he did not want Shinde and Holkar to fight against each other.
A news report at the time from 21 May 1748 addressed to Bhau says, “Shrimant is in Jainagar (Jaipur) province. Madho Singh came and met Shrimant with due protocol. A huge force has been amassed. Ishwari Singh fled in the battle with the Pathan (Abdali) and is hiding in Jainagar (Jaipur). It is being said the kingdom will be divided in half between Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh. The sovereign (Mohammedshah) is very happy with the Shrimant. At the same time, Ishwari Singh is in his bad books as he abandoned the Shehzada and fled the battle. Last year, Ishwari Singh was very proud. This year, his reputation is low. He has lost whatever prestige he had. He will now have to behave with the Shrimant. He had to come as a supplicant in front of the Shrimant. Shrimant has the strength of his virtues with him. The Pathan himself was defeated and ran away.”
The Peshwa first wished to end the growing rivalry amongst his northern Sardars and urged Ishwari Singh to grant a part of his kingdom to Madho Singh, thereby honouring the protocol decided by the Rajput princes. Ishwari Singh initially agreed with the Peshwa’s plan. He sued for peace, agreed to grant four Mahals including Newai to the Peshwa, and tried to satisfy him. After meeting Madho Singh at Newai, the Peshwa returned homeward. He entrusted the burden of the affairs in the north upon Ramchandrababa’s shoulders.
Later, on 28 May 1748, when the Peshwa was still in the north, the Nizam died at Aurangabad. A few days before that, when he was at Burhanpur, the Peshwa was informed by one of his emissaries, “Presently, all the attention of the old man has been concentrated upon the Shrimant’s plans about the north. The Nizam is thinking, Shrimant is going to Delhi along with his army; Huzoor (Badshah) would come under his influence; Huzoor already hates him (Nizam); he (Badshah) would become aligned with the Shrimant; presently, Shrimant’s heart too has been polluted with suspicion about him; the Pathans have attacked Delhi; the imperial force is on its way to block them; what would be the outcome, success or defeat; whether the Shrimant would participate in battle; or whether the battle is over even before Shrimant reaches there; etc. He is suspicious and afraid.”
Ishwari Singh agreed to give a part of his kingdom to Madho Singh. Soon after Nanasaheb left Newai, he changed his mind, and there was another battle between the two at Bagru in August 1748. Holkar had stood guarantee. Holkar wrote to Mahadoba Purandare that he would soon humble Ishwari Singh. So, Holkar defeated Ishwari Singh in battle, and got the agreements implemented. To gain his help, Madho Singh promised Holkar several crore rupees in addition to revenue from his territory. Nanasaheb then wrote to Ramchandrababa asking Jayappa Shinde to withdraw from the contest. With Shinde staying away, Ishwari Singh was defeated. A part of the Jaipur kingdom was offered to Madho Singh, which was, however, not quite to his liking. In the later disputes amongst the Rajputs, Shinde and Holkar tried to accomplish their own objectives. Matters stood on an edge for a couple of years and the uneasy peace was punctuated by periodic outbreaks until 1750, when Madho Singh finally wrested the throne on the back of Holkar’s support.
At this time, a dispute arose between the Peshwa and Yashwantrao Pawar. In the month of June 1748, the Peshwa arrived at Dhar, and captured Pawar’s possessions at Dhar, Mandavgad, and Songad nearby. Yashwantrao became angry, went to Badnawar along with his family and stayed there. After a while, Yashwantrao secured the Peshwa’s good graces. On 15 August 1751, the Peshwa returned all his possessions to Yashwantrao.
To be continued…
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