The main issue was Shahu’s debts. Shahu felt that he should die without any burden of debt on his head. If he died in debt, he would have to face tribulations in the next birth. Nanasaheb had tried really hard to earn money by campaigning in the north Hindustan. But the income was not sufficient to repay the debts. It is possible that the two queens had some relation to this debt. Both the queens convinced Shahu, that the Peshwa was not able to repay his debts, he keeps giving unnecessary promises, and is just trying to somehow survive for the day by just giving some excuses. Shahu became concerned, that his time was nigh, moneylenders were sitting at his doorstep, and how he would survive further.
Shahu had heard news reports, that the Peshwa had refused to obey his direct order in relation to Babuji Naik, and instead had begun oppressing Babuji. People warned Shahu, if this was the Peshwa’s disobedience when Shahu was still alive, then what would happen after he is gone. Due to this, Shahu became very angry. Babuji Naik’s affair added fuel to the fire of Shahu’s anger. Govindrao Chitnis was friends with the Peshwa. He was playing the role of a neutral party, without siding with anyone, relaying each party’s proposition in front of Shahu in a neutral manner, and taking further action based on whatever Maharaj ordered. The Peshwa was having conversation with him daily. Still a clear answer was not forthcoming for the Peshwa. So, utterly frustrated, he provided the above clauses to Govindrao Chitnis as his final word. It was mostly for earning money that the Peshwa handed over Sadashivrao Bhau in the able hands of Sakharam Bapu and dispatched them to the Carnatic. The Peshwa tried to at least satisfy Shahu through this specific plan. But since Shahu had kept him stuck at Satara, his plan was looking like it would fail right in the face of achievement of success. Therefore, the Peshwa had requested Maharaj through Govindrao Chitnis, to allow him to step outside on the campaign at least for a few days, and he should grant the Peshwa orders whatever he could. Even after this, if the Maharaj did not reinstall him, and immediately secure the kingdom, then he had mentioned that God Himself will go angry with this kingdom. This was a threat that Nanasaheb had delivered to Shahu in no uncertain terms, that Shahu’s act might waste all the enterprise they had indulged in so far, causing a complete loss for the kingdom. Of course, Shahu read this letter carefully, and got convinced that the Peshwa kept striving hard, but the courtiers kept raising obstacles in his path, while none of them stepped up to suggest any alternative arrangement to resolve all his problems and were ready to take the burden of the whole state’s administration upon their shoulders. Due to this, he reinstated Nanasaheb back on the administration, and dispatched him on the external campaign.
Shahu was not ready to let go of his animus. So frustrated, Nanasaheb left without taking leave to depart as the final solution to threaten the courtiers. On 20 March, he wrote to Pilaji Jadhav, “We marched off from Waduth and arrived at Budha. We are sitting here waiting for you.”
Realising that since he had left in a huff, he might go his own independent way, Shahu recalled Nanasaheb, and himself visiting the Peshwa’s tent, accorded him the protocol robes and bade him farewell.
Govindrao Chitnis had much respect about Nana in his heart and was convinced of his capability. Purandare would have picked up the Peshwa’s side in blind faith, but Govindrao Chitnis did not have any such rationale.
The above-mentioned Sheti Malik alias Shetyaba Daji Sankpal was Shahu’s favourite assistant and trusted and secret intelligence gatherer. He did not have any restriction of time and place to meet Shahu. In his final illness, Queen Sakwarbai would not allow the Peshwa and Chitnis to meet Shahu. The correspondence continued through the offices of this Shetyaji.
In this manner, Nanasaheb, knowing Shahu’s nature intimately, handled the situation with discretion to return with full powers and confidence of the king. It would make a difference in the days to come.
This is the only incident of him receiving the farewell protocol garments that is documented in the Shakavali. From it, and from his own words above, ‘everything has turned out fine,’ it is proved that Nanasaheb was deposed at least for some days. Thereafter, his opponents began attacking the Peshwa’s magnanimity, or the lack of it.
To be continued…
NDHistories 