Secret Correspondence of the Court of the Peshwa. 1 19 



manly conduct of his nephew, who even at this early age seems to have 

 penetrated deeply into his uncle's character. 



The Peshwa's army had arrived in the neighbourhood of Wai, when he 

 learned by an express messenger that his uncle was raising troops and that 

 he meditated an insurrection to effect his seizure. The measures which the 

 Peshwa took on this occasion were as prompt as judicious. The persons on 

 whose assistance Ragoba chiefly relied had not yet reached Poona ; no overt 

 steps had been taken, but the plot was certain, and the instruments might 

 soon be expected. The Peshwa was aware that his own party in Poona was at 

 present strong, and that no troops had yet been raised by his uncle ; he 

 accordingly directed a considerable body of cavalry to return by the high 

 road to the capital, while he, mounting a favourite mare, and with only one 

 attendant, proceeded across the mountains, and reached the palace unex- 

 pectedly at daylight next morning. He sprang from his horse and ran 

 through the apartments (unarmed as he was), till he reached his uncle's 

 presence. Ragoba, equally surprised and mortified at this sudden appear- 

 ance of his nephew, feigned great gratification, and asked the cause. A 

 few moments served the Pesliwa to explain himself: " I am no sooner 

 " absent than your Highness, I hear, has ordered troops to be raised, which 

 " I learn are to be employed against me. This is quite unnecessary. I 

 " have left my army, and am come alone and unarmed to submit to your 

 " will, rather than be the cause of dissensions among my countrymen." 

 Ragoba is said to have melted into tears at the contemplation of so much 

 generosity, and to have clasped his nephew in his arms. The day passed 

 in professions of I'egard on the part of Ragoba ; and during the night the 

 arrival of the Peshwa's troops placed him in a situation to enable him to 

 make more satisfactory arrangements for the management of his affairs 

 during his absence. 



Sakaram Bappu, the most able minister of the state, was, on the whole, 

 favourable to Ragoba, for which reason the Peshwa insisted on his accom- 

 panying his army to the south, thus ensuring at the same time the use of his 

 talents, and separating him from his uncle. The Dowager Gopika Bhye, 

 and her son Narayan Rao, remained in Poona ; and Nana Farnevis was 

 left in charge of the government ; while Ragoba and his wife Anandi Bhye 

 retired in much disgust to Anandivilh, where they had a palace on the 

 Godaveri, near the town of Nasuk. 



Tlic military ardour of the young Peshwa prompted him to take the field 



