354 



perfidiously broke the agreement he had entered into, and ex- 

 pelled his cousin from the districts assigned him. 



Dutajee, after the assassination of his elder brother Jcajce, 

 ordered his son Juncojee Sindia to be treated as his successor; 

 while he look upon himself the management of his affairs, under 

 the title of dewan ; but being soon after killed in action against 

 the Duranies, near Delhi, the whole weight of government de- 

 volved on Juncojee ; who also was slain the following year, at the 

 great battle of Panniput, fought by the Duranies, and several 

 other Mahomedan tribes, under Ahmed Shah Abdallee, and the 

 Mahrattas under Sudobah, or Bhaou. 



No legitimate descendant of Ranojee Sindia now remained, 

 except Kedrajee, the son of Tucojee. At this time Mhadarow 

 had succeeded his father Baliajee Row, in the office of peshwa, 

 but his uncle Ragonath Row had so great weight and authority 

 in the administration, as to give Mhadarow constant jealousy and 

 anxiety. 



On the death of Juncojee, Ragonath Row strenuously insisted 

 on the succession of Kedrajee, in which the whole Sindia tribe 

 agreed with him. But Mhadarow, suspicious of the designs of 

 of his uncle, having heard of Mhadajee Sindia, sought after, and 

 summoned him to his presence. Mhadajee was at that time lame, 

 from a wound received in the battle of Panniput; poor, and little 

 known. From this condition Mhadarow elevated him to the eo- 

 vernment and jaghire of his family. The shroffs and monied 

 men, finding him patronized by the Mahratta sovereign, imme- 

 diately advanced him money, to take possession of his new ap- 

 pointment with dignity and splendour. 



