1837.] 



An Account of the Tribe of Mhadeo Kolies. 



267 



with it while advancing. As Jowjee was now getting surrounded by 

 the government troops, he, informed Dada Saheb (Raghohah) that he 

 had captured a number of the forts, but, as the Poona government had 

 sent troops to retake them, he hoped he would receive some orders and 

 assistance from him; all he received were letters from Dada Saheb, 

 extolling his services and exhorting him to continue active and zealous 

 in this cause. He sent a few things to present to those who had been 

 most active and useful in assisting him; he added that the English had 

 abandoned their original plans, but he did not mind this ; and finished by 

 telling Jowjee not to despair. As Jowjee had greatly excited Nana 

 Phurnavees' wrath against him on account of his having favoured 

 Raghobah's cause, he was now anxious to secure the friendship of some 

 persons of rank and influence to protect him from the minister's ven- 

 geance. Jowjee was on this account more desirous of holding the 

 forts, until he could obtain safe and secure terms for himself and his 

 followers. He sent two of his friends to Dhondoo Mhadeo, the agent 

 of the soobahdar of Nassik, who was his most intimate friend, to ask 

 his advice and assistance, and Bhauggrah the Patell of Mullarpoor, a 

 great friend of his, was applied to on this occasion, as Bhauggrah was a 

 horseman in Tookajee Holkur's army, and a favourite of Holkur. In 

 the mean time Ghorebollay was exerting himself to seize Baumlay and 

 capture the forts. On one occasion Jowjee was seen ascending the 

 Ruttunghur fort, and Ghorebollay ordered all his men to advance round 

 the hill to stop all communication with the fort, and to prevent any 

 person escaping. Some time after it became dark, Jowjee descended 

 the hill by himself, and, notwithstanding every precaution that had been 

 taken, he proceeded to join some of his friends on an adjoining 

 hill ; and Ghorebollay, to his great astonishment, heard two days 

 afterwards that Jowjee had gone off to the northward, levying con- 

 tributions, and plundering and burning the villages that refused him 

 supplies. Ghorebollay was in the habit of severely chastising the 

 Kolies, for not showing greater zeal and activity in aiding the troops, 

 and not making known to him where Jowjee and his rebels were in the 

 habit of concealing themselves. When Jowjee and his followers were 

 moving along the summits of a high range of hills at some distance, the 

 people occasionally ventured to point them out to the troops. It ap- 

 pearing doubtful whether Ghorebollay would succeed in recovering the 

 hill forts, or in capturing Jowjee Baumlay, government gave their 

 assent to settling the Koly disturbance by negotiating with Baumlay 

 for the surrender of the forts. Dhondoo Mhadeo sent a confidential 

 message to Jowjee, recommending him to continue quiet, and if possi- 

 ble to join Tookajee Holkur's army, and in the meantime he would not 

 forget his interests ; that he must surrender the forts to him and that 

 this would enable him to obtain favourable terms hereafter, but that he 



