146 Lieut. -Colonel BniGGs" Translation of tlie 



The army proceeding against the Raja of Berar left Poona, probably in 

 the latter end of I768 or early in 1769; and the following letter from 

 MoRABA, cousin of Nana Farnevis, who accompanied the Peshwa, written 

 by his orders, shews the state of affairs when the campaign was nearly 

 brought to a close. 



«« Camp, Umerkehr, 2d of April 1769. 



" I have received your letter of the 17th March. The news here is this : 

 " The Peshwa left Poona with the intention of proceeding to the Carnatic, 

 " and of availing himself of the circumstances which might arise out of 

 " the war between Hyder and the English. The army accordingly reached 

 •' Serapur, when Bhosla wrote to say he had with him an army of 20,000 

 " men ; that he had been ordered to attend the Peshwa, and to bring with 

 " him a small retinue ; but that his army was in want of pay, and would not 

 " permit him to quit. He observed, therefore, that he could not separate 

 " himself from his army, but that he should send his minister Dewakar Pant 

 " to head-quarters. His Highness the Peshwa, by calling on Javaji Bhosla, 

 " wished to try his fidelity, of which he had great doubts ; and this conduct 

 " confirmed his suspicions. Besides, his Highness Ragoba being at Poona, 

 " he thought it imprudent to leave his dominions open to intrigues during his 

 " absence in another direction. Moreover, he has no confidence in a third 

 " person (Sakeram Bapu, one of the most able, but most intriguing 

 " politicians then in India). He accordingly resolved to march towards 

 " Bhosla, and compel his attendance. For this purpose he marched, 

 " attended by a division of the Nizam's army, under Rukn-ud-Doula, as 

 " far as Dharur. Here we were met by Bhosla's representative, DEWAKAa 

 " Pant, who made fair promises in the name of his master ; but it was 

 " thought advisable to move towards his army, which retired as we advanced. 

 " On reaching Berar, the country was laid waste with fire and sword, while 

 " Bhosla continued flying before our troops. A light detachment was 

 " accordingly formed (consisting of twelve thousand men, under Gopal 

 " Rao of Mirch), which went in pursuit for upwards of a month without 

 " overtaking the enemy ; and Bhosla eventually fled into the forests (the 

 " woods of Gondwana) : our cavalry, both men and horses, were fairly 

 " worn out. It was once intended to besiege Chanda, but his Highness 

 " had not the proper means nor sufficient men, so that it was at length 

 " resolved to leave Ramchandra Ganes and Rukn-ud-Doula in Berar, 

 " and that his Highness should return. The Nizam's troops, little prepared 



