132 MAHKATTA WAR. 



dexterity with which he executed this menial function, he 

 attracted the notice of that commander, and laid the foun- 

 dation of his own greatness. These two chiefs, having dis- 

 tinguished themselves by several military exploits, rose 

 gradually, till at length they were intrusted with separate 

 commands. Favoured by the general propensity of the 

 Hindoos to obey only their immediate superiors, they sub- 

 sequently acquired an independent political power. 



The office of peishwa was now nearly established as he- 

 reditary, and the eldest son of Bajee Rao, who prefixed to 

 his father's name that of Ballajee, after some opposition 

 from Raghojee Bhonslay, another aspirant, succeeded to 

 this high station. The disputes with this last chieftain, 

 however, and other occurrences, suspended the design of 

 subverting the imperial throne. The ordinary exaction of 

 chout, or°a fourth of the tribute, was stipulated to be paid 

 by the Mogul, while Raghojee made the most desolating 

 inroads into Bengal. In 1749 Shao died, when the dignity 

 of rajah, which had been in some degree maintained by his 

 personal character as well as his descent from Sevajee, sank 

 into total insignificance. Ballajee even intended to sup- 

 press it altogether, especially as there was some doubt as to 

 the legitimacy of the young prince nominated to the suc- 

 cession ; but after some consideration he determined to pre- 

 serve, though with reduced state and expense, this shadow 

 of royalty.° His measures were strenuously opposed by 

 Suckwar Bye, the favourite wife of the late rajah ; but that 

 lady, among other manoeuvres, had rashly announced an 

 intention to devote herself to the flames on the death of her 

 husband. The peishwa contrived, even while apparently 

 dissuading her from fulfilling this design, to bring it before 

 her family and the public in such a manner as made it im- 

 possible for her, according to Indian ideas, to avoid this 

 dreadful sacrifice. Having gained over Raghojee Bhonslay, 

 and transferred the seat of government from SataratoPoo- 

 nah, the peishwa became the sole wid undisputed head of the 

 Mahratta confederation. For several years he was involved 

 in foreign connexions, the wars and politics of the Deccan 

 and Carnatic, and the reduction of the piratical power of 

 Angria. The last of these objects crave rise to certain 

 achievements of a memorable description, in which the 

 English bore the most conspicuous part. 



