Secret Correspondence of the Court of the Feshxca. 131 



whole of these letters, no allusion is once made to the Englisli, although it 

 is said by our historians that they were included in the offensive alliance 



against Hyder. 



It will be recollected, that, after the campaign against the Raja of Nag- 

 pore in 1766, and previously to the coalition of the Peshwa and the Nizam 

 in 1767 an-ainst Hyder, Ragoba had obtained the command of a separate 

 army, with which he proceeded to Malwa, accompanied by Mulhar Rao 

 HoLKAR, a chief with whom it has been shewn he maintained a close and 

 friendly intercourse. What were his ultimate views, did not at first appear; 

 and at all events they were for the present obstructed by the death of 

 Mulhar Rao, and the accession of a silly young prince, his grandson^ 

 Malli Rao, who did not long survive his predecessor, but died in March 

 1767, leaving no heirs. At his death his mother, the celebrated Aiiilya Bhye, 

 became the sole representative of the family. Holkar's minister Gan- 

 gadhar Yeswant made interest with Ragoba, then on the spot, to procure 

 a child to be adopted as Holkar's heir, a measure which was resisted by 

 the Dowager Ahilya Bhye. The correspondence of this year commences, 

 however, before these events, but leads on to them. 



Madhu Rao to Nana Farnevis, in his own hand. 



" 6th of January I767. 



" I received your letter enclosing that from Baji Govind. I am very 

 " anxious for news from that quarter (Malwa). You must write to Baji 

 " Govind therefore to let me hear constantly every thing that occurs, but 

 " in such a manner as to prevent a certain person knowing that he commu- 

 " nicates with us at all. 



« Let me hear what has been the result of the orders to the commanders 

 " of the garrisons and to the district officers : also how his (Ragoba's) officers 

 " are disposed towards him : how he is satisfied with them, and how he 

 " treats them : the same with respect to his ministers and men of 

 " business. 



" Who is the minister at present, and who possesses his confidence most ? 

 " In wliat direction are his next movements to carry him ? What are his 

 " ultimate views, and what liis present intentions? Does he talk of return- 

 " ing to this quarter ? Let Baji Pant ascertain all these points minutely ; 

 " and let me hear very frequently. Write to Baji Pant, and tell him to 

 " send his communications through you." 



