Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/34

16 the Rohillas under Zabita Khan began to molest the Mahrattas, in spite of the treaty that had been formed. Mahadji Sindhia was not the man to allow this. He at once marched against them. The Rohillas sought the aid of the Nawab Vazier of Oudh who mediated between the invaders and the invaded, and gained a peace for the latter on payment of 40 lacs of Rupees as war-expenses. The Mahrattas were elated and their arrogance had offended Shah Alum. He decided to get rid of them at any sacrifice. A battle took place in which the Mahrattas were victorious. About this time Madhao Rao Peshwa was dead and there was confusion at the Poona Court. Najeeb Khan, the veteran general of the Emperor, too was dead. Anarchy reigned at Delhi, and the keen-witted Mahadji took advantage of the opportunity, and at once set out for Agra to look into the affairs of the Emperor and see what he could gain there. On the way he learnt that Afrasiab Khan, the Emperor's minister, had been assassinated. Mahadji stepped into Afrasiab's place, undertook to be the protector of the Emperor, and obtained from him the title of Wakeel-i-Mutalik for, the Peshwa. Some time after Gulam Kadir, a Rohilla, dethroned the Mogul Emperor, put out his eyes and seized Delhi. The Sindhia marched promptly against him, defeated him, and firmly established his position as the only native power in Hindustan and the most important factor in the Mahratta confederacy. All these brilliant successes brought with them their evils. It aroused the jealousy of the Holkar, and of Nana, Fadnavis at Poona. But Mahadji was not unaware of this. Under the specious pretext of laying the grant of the sanad of Wakeel-i-Mutalik at the feet of his master, the Sindhia journeyed to Poona taking all his army with him, and carried out the investiture of the Peshwa with the insignia, in a grandeur quite unprecedented. This so mightily pleased the young Peshwa, that he was at the time in a mood to listen to any thing that the Sindhia might propose, and it is likely, the current of events might have been quite different, had Mahadji lived longer; but he suddenly died at Wanowri in 1794 A.D.

Mahadji left no heir. He was succeeded by Daulat Rao, a grandson of his brother Tukoji. The death of the Peshwa Madhao Rao II in 1795 A.D., the intrigues at the court of Poona, the death of Tukoji Rao, and the rise of the turbulent Yashawant Rao Holkar threw the whole country into utter confusion. Daulat Rao's arrogant conduct alienated from him the members of the Mahratta confederacy. Yashawant Rao Holkar attacked Ujjain and extorted a large sum from its inhabitants. Thus the Holkar and the Sindhia were now enemies, ready to take advantage of every opportunity for their own aggrandizement.

The Peshwa signed the Treaty of Bassein in 1802 A.D. under which the British were recognised as the Paramount Power in India; and they directed their attention to the affairs of Central India. After a series of victories on the battle-field they succeeded in getting the Sindhia to sign the Treaty of Sarje Anjangaon in 1803 A.D., and soon after, the Treaty of Barhanpur, whereby his aggressive policy was permanently checked. In 1816 A.D., Daulat Rao was called upon by the British to co-operate in the suppression of the Pendharees. By the Treaty of Gwalior, which he signed in 1817 A.D. he promised full co-operation and assistance.

Daulat Rao died in 1827 A.D. leaving no lineal or adopted heir. His widow, the famous Baizabai adopted a boy who was installed on the gadi as Jankoji Rao. He died in 1843 A.D. His widow, Tarabai, adopted a kinsman who. succeeded Jankoji under the name of Jayaji Rao Sindhia. During his minority there were a series of complicated political intrigues in the court. The British Government interfered and kept the State under a Council of Regency.