About the same period, Malhár Ráo Holkar was moving from the Dakhin towards Hindústán, and his road happened to lie through the spot where the pretender in question had pitched his tents. The above-mentioned spies disclosed the particulars of the case to Malhár Ráo, who thought to himself, that until Párbatí Bái, the late Bháo's wife, had seen this individual with her own eyes, and all her doubts had been removed, it would not do to inflict capital punishment on the impostor, for fear the lady should think in her heart that he had killed her husband out of spite and malice. For this reason, Malhár Ráo merely took the impostor prisoner, and having appointed thirty or forty horsemen to take care of him, forwarded him from thence to Púná. The few weak-minded beings, who had gathered round him, were allowed to depart to their several homes, and Holkar proceeded to his destination. When the pretender was brought to Púná, Mádhú Ráo likewise, out of regard for the feelings of the late Bháo's wife, deemed it proper to defer his execution, and kept him confined in one of the forts within his own dominions. Strange to say, the silly people in that fort did not discover the falseness of the impostor's claims, and leagued themselves with him, so that a fresh riot was very nearly being set on foot. Mádhú Ráo, how­ever, having been apprised of the circumstances, despatched him from that fort to another stronghold; and in the same way his removal and transfer was constantly taking place from various forts in succession, till he was finally confined in a stronghold, that lies contiguous to the sea on the island of Kolába, which is a dependency of the Kokan territory.

Nawáb Nizám 'Alí Khán Bahádur.

The following is another of the events of Mádhú Ráo's reign: Bithal, díwán of Nawáb Nizám 'Alí Khán Bahádur, advised his master, that as the Mahrattas were then devoid of in­fluence, and the supreme authority was vested in an inex­perienced child, it would be advisable to ravage Púná. Jánújí Bhonsla Rája of Nágpúr, Gopál Ráo a servant of the Peshwa, and some more chiefs of the Mahratta nation, approved of the díwán's suggestion, and led their forces in a compact mass towards Púná. When they drew near its frontier, Raghunáth Ráo, who was Mádhú Ráo's chief agent and prime minister, got terrified at the enemy's numbers, and finding himself incompetent to cope with them, retired with his master from Púná. Nawáb Nizám 'Alí Khán Bahádur then entered the city, and did not spare any efforts in completing its destruction.

After some time, Raghunáth Ráo recovered himself, and having entered into friendly communication with Jánújí Bhonsla and the other chiefs of his own tribe, by opening an epistolary correspon­dence with them, he alienated the minds of these men from the Nawáb. In short, the above-named chiefs separated from the Nawáb on the pretence of its being the rainy season, and returned to their own territories. In the interim, Raghunáth Ráo and Mádhú Ráo set out to engage Nawáb Nizám 'Alí Khán Bahá-dur, who, deeming it expedient to proceed to his original quarters, beat a retreat from the position he was occupying. When the bank of the river Godáverí became the site of his encampment, an order was issued for the troops to cross over. Half the matériel of the army was still on this side, and half on that; when Raghunáth, considering it a favourable opportunity, commenced a furious onslaught. The six remaining chiefs of the Nawáb's army were slain, and about 7000 Afgháns, etc., acquired eternal renown by gallantly sacrificing their lives. After this sanguinary conflict, the Nawáb hastily crossed the river, and extricated himself from his perilous position. As soon as the flame of strife had been extinguished, a peace was established through the intervention of Malhár Ráo Holkar, who had escaped with his life in safety from the battle with Abdálí Sháh. Both parties concurring in the advantages of an amicable understanding, returned to their respective quarters.

Quarrel between Raghunáth Ráo and Mádhú Ráo.

When Raghunáth Ráo began to usurp greater authority over the administration of affairs; Gopiká Bái, Mádhú Ráo's mother, growing envious of his influence, inspired her son with evil suspicions against him, and planned several stratagems, whereby their mutual friendship might result in hatred and animosity, till at length Raghunáth Ráo became convinced that he would some day be imprisoned. Consequently, he mounted his horse one night, and fled precipitately from Púná with only a few adherents. Stopping at Násik, which lies at a distance of eight stages from Púná, he fixed upon that town as his place of refuge and abode, and employed himself in collecting troops; insomuch that Náradjí Sankar, the revenue collector of Jhánsí, Jaswant Ráo Lúd, Sakhá Rám Bápú and Nílkanth Mahádeo, volunteered to join him, and eagerly engaged in active hostilities against Mádhú Ráo. As soon as Raghunáth Ráo arrived in this condition close to Púná, Mádhú Ráo was also obliged to sally forth from it in company with Trimbak Ráo, Bápújí Mánik, Gopál Ráo and Bhímjí Lamdí. When the line of battle began to be formed, Raghunáth Ráo assumed the initiative in attacking his adversaries, and succeeded in routing Mádhú Ráo's force by a series of overwhelming assaults; and even captured the Ráo himself, together with Nar Singh Ráo. After gaining this agreeable victory, as he perceived Mádhú Ráo to be in safety, and his malicious antagonists over­thrown, he could not contain himself for joy. As soon as he returned from the battle-field to his encampment, he seated Mádhú Ráo on a throne, and remained himself standing in front of him, after the manner of slaves. By fawning and coaxing, he then removed every trace of annoyance from Mádhú Ráo's mind, and requested him to return to Púná. After dismissing him to that city, he himself went with his retinue and soldiery to Násik.

Haidar Náik.

After the lapse of some years of Mádhú Ráo's reign, a vast disturbance arose in the Dakhin. Haidar Náik having assembled some bold and ferocious troops, ^{* *} with intent to subdue the territory of the Mahrattas, set out in the direction of Púná. Mádhú Ráo came out from Púná, and summoned Raghunáth Ráo to his assistance from Násik, whereupon the latter joined him with a body of 20,000 of his cavalry. In short, they marched with their combined forces against the enemy; and on several occasions encounters took place, in which the lives of vast multitudes were destroyed. Although Haidar Náik's army proved themselves superior in the field, yet peace was ultimately concluded on the cession and surrender of some few tracts in the royal dominions; after which Haidar Náik refrained from hostilities, and returned to his own territory; whilst Mádhú Ráo retired to Púná, and Raghunáth Ráo to Násik.

Raghunáth Ráo's movements.

When a short time had elapsed after this, the idea of organ­izing the affairs of Hindústán entered into Raghunáth Ráo's mind. For the sake of preserving outward propriety, therefore, he first gave intimation to Mádhú Ráo of his intention, and asked his sanction. The Ráo in question, who did not feel him­self secure from Raghunáth Ráo, and considered any increase to his power a source of greater weakness to himself, addressed him a reply couched in these terms: “It were better for you to remain where you are, in the enjoyment of repose.” ^{* *} Raghunáth Ráo would not listen to these words, but marched out of Násik in company with Mahájí Sindhia, taking three powerful armies along with him.