Babuji Naik, with an intention of capturing Tiruchirappalli, had embarked on a campaign towards the end of 1744. A report arrived from the Nizam’s court on 20 January 1745 as follows, “Babuji Naik arrived near Bijapur. He has around four-thousand-strong force. Anwaruddin Khan etc. warriors are on their way to attack the Naik from the Carnatic. To threaten Naik, the Nizam is sending Muzaffar Jung with a huge force.”
Later, Babuji Naik and the Mughals clashed near Basavapattan. Anwaruddin and his son Mohammed Ali gathered the forces of all the local Zamindars from Cudappah, Kurnool, Savnoor, Shire, Bednoor, Adoni, Mysore etc. They had gathered around 69,000 men. For one whole week a tempestuous battle raged. Babuji Naik was defeated and ran towards Pune. The Nizam congratulated everybody including Anwaruddin etc. men. The exact date of this battle is not available. A letter dated 15 February 1745 mentions that both the armies were forming up in front of each other for a grand showdown. The letter goes on to say, that the Nizam was ready to give a huge ransom to the Marathas, but they said, that they would not return unless they capture Tiruchirappalli. Upon that, it seems, the above battle must have followed very soon. The following reference is found in Shahu’s Bakhar, “Babuji Naik went to the Carnatic province. The disputes with the various principals there escalated and things came to battle. The soldiery had to be retained. They were defeated in the ensuing battle, and were completely denuded. The expenses of the soldiery had to be borne by himself. He was beside himself with fear. He left the place and came back to Satara.”
Due to this, and after this, a terrible competition arose at Shahu’s court with respect to the affairs of the Carnatic. That has been expressed in good measure in many of the erstwhile documents. Naik faced such a huge ignominy, that he had to survive by protesting in front of Shahu, or even seeking help from the Nizam at times. This by-chance gave the opportunity of acting in the Carnatic to the Peshwa.
After coming back, Naik related his difficulties to Maharaj. “Maharaj had felicitated Naik by giving him the Mokasa (revenue rights) of the Carnatic. On 26 May 1745, Rajashree Swami conferred upon him the protocol garments, and bade him farewell. Maharaj’s sons with concubines, Yesaji and Kusaji Bhosale were given the authority over the Suba of Shirol, while Babuji Naik was given the authority over the whole Carnatic. In that, Tiruchirappalli and Shrirangapatnam were retained under the control of Maharaj. Apart from them, all the Carnatic Mahals like Adoni etc. were distributed half-and-half among Babuji Naik and Yesaji-Kusaji. The other half was to be utilised for soldiery and remaining was to be utilised for supplies to the central government. To establish the Swarajya’s control everywhere, and the income from revenues, around seven lakh rupees was to be deposited to the central government. This way, the agreement was finalised to direct the stewards of Bhosales and Naik to work together, and they were dispatched on the campaign.”
Meanwhile, the Peshwa got his own influence firmed up at the Nizam’s court through the Nizam’s chief steward Sayyed Lashkar Khan, and Kaigaonkar Dikshit. He began to cause troubles for Naik through the Nawab of Savnoor and Murarrao. At the Nizam’s court, and even outside, common people thought, “Only if the Pantapradhan takes over this province, his fortune will grace him. If he gets the Swami to give him authority over the whole of the Carnatic province beyond the Tungabhadra, only then he will be able to establish his respect all over.”
The Peshwa also informed Babuji Naik that he should hand over the revenue rights of the Carnatic to Sadashivrao Bhau, and relinquish his rights, so that the Peshwa would ensure appropriate security and help him survive too. But Naik did not agree with this arrangement. On 5 December 1746, the Peshwa dispatched Sadashivrao Bhau to the Carnatic. He was given Mahadoba Purandare and Sakharam Bapu for assistance.
Meanwhile in Satara, a different storm was brewing which Nanasaheb had to face before he or Sadashivrao Bhau could attempt to establish their authority over the Carnatic.
To be continued…
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