As the comprehension of the design of this work is dependent on a previous acquaintance with the origin and genealogy of Bálájí Ráo, the eloquent pen will first proceed to the discussion of that subject.
Be it not hidden, that in the language of the people of the Dakhin, these territories and their dependencies are called “Dihast,”* and the inhabitants of the region are styled “Mahrattas.” The Mahrattí dialect is adopted exclusively by these classes, and the chieftainship of the Mahrattas is centred in the Bhonsla tribe. The lineage of the Bhonslas is derived from the Údípúr Rájas, who bear the title of Ráná; and the first of these, according to popular tradition, was one of the descendants of Naushírwán. At the time when the holy warriors of the army of Islám subverted the realms of Írán, Naushírwán's descendants were scattered in every direction; and one of them, having repaired to Hindústán, was promoted to the dignity of a Rája. In a word, one of the Ráná's progeny afterwards quitted the territory of Údípúr, in consequence of the menacing and disordered aspect of his affairs, and having proceeded to the country of the Dakhin, fixed his abode in the Carnatic. The chiefs of the Dakhin, regarding the majesty of his family with respect and reverence, entered into the most amicable relations with him. His descendants separated into two families; one the Aholias, the other the Bhonslas.
Sáhújí was first inrolled among the number of Nizám Sháh's retainers, but afterwards entered into the service of Ibráhím 'Ádil Sháh, who was the ruler of the Kokan. In return for the faithful discharge of his duties, he received in jágír the parganas of Púná, etc., where he made a permanent settlement after the manner of the zamíndárs. Towards the close of his life, having attained the high honour of serving the Emperor Jahángír, he was constantly in attendance on him, while his son Sivají stayed at the jágír. As Ibráhím 'Ádil Sháh for the space of two years was threatened with impending death, great disorder and confusion prevailed in his territories from the long duration of his illness; and the troops and retainers, whom he had stationed here and there, for the purpose of garrisoning the forts, and protecting the frontier of the Kokan, abandoned themselves to neglect in consequence of their master's indisposition.
* * Ultimately, the Emperor Aurangzeb, the bulwark of religion, resolved upon proceeding to the Dakhin, and in the year 1093 A.H. bestowed fresh lustre on the city of Aurangábád by the favour of his august presence. For a period of twenty-five years he strove to subvert the Mahratta rule; but as several valiant chieftains displayed the utmost zeal and activity in upholding their dynasty, their extermination could not be satisfactorily accomplished. Towards the close of His Majesty's lifetime, a truce was concluded with the Mahrattas, on these terms, viz. that three per cent. out of the revenues drawn from the Imperial dominions in the Dakhin should be allotted to them by way of sar deshmukhí; and accordingly Ahsan Khán, commonly called Mír Malik, set out from the threshold of royalty with the documents confirming this grant to the Mahrattas, in order that, after the treaty had been duly ratified, he might bring the chiefs of that tribe to the court of the monarch of the world. However, before he had had time to deliver these documents into their custody, a royal mandate was issued, directing him to return and bring back the papers in question with him. About this time, His Majesty Aurangzeb 'Álamgír hastened to the eternal gardens of Paradise, at which period his successor Sháh 'Álam (Bahádur Sháh) was gracing the Dakhin with his presence. The latter settled ten per cent. out of the produce belonging to the peasantry as sar deshmukhí on the Mahrattas, and furnished them with the necessary documents confirming the grant.*
When Sháh 'Álam (Bahádur Sháh) returned from the Dakhin to the metropolis, Dáúd Khán remained behind to officiate for Amíru-l umará Zú-l fikár Khán in the government of the provinces. He cultivated a good understanding with the Mahrattas, and concluded an amicable treaty on the following footing, viz. that in addition to the above-mentioned grant of a tithe as sar deshmukhí, a fourth of whatever amount was collected in the country should be their property, while the other three-fourths should be paid into the royal exchequer. This system of division was accordingly put in practice; but no regular deed granting the fourth share, which in the dialect of the Dakhin is called chauth, was delivered to the Mahrattas. When Muhammad Farrukh Siyar sat as Emperor on the throne of Dehlí, he entertained the worst suspicions against Amíru-l umará Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán, the chief of the Bárha Saiyids. He dismissed him to a distance from his presence by appointing him to the control of the province of the Dakhin. On reaching his destination, the latter applied himself rigorously to the task of organizing the affairs of that kingdom; but royal letters were incessantly despatched to the address of the chief of the Mahrattas, and more especially to Rája Sáhú, urging him to persist in hostilities with Amíru-l umará. * *
In the year 1129 A.H. (1717 A.D.), by the intervention of Muhammad Anwar Khán Burhánpúrí and Sankarájí Malhár, he concluded a peace with the Mahrattas,* on condition that they would refrain from committing depredations and robberies, and would always maintain 18,000 horsemen out of their tribe wholly at the service of the Názim of the Dakhin. At the time that this treaty was ratified, he sealed and delivered the documents confirming the grant of the fourth of the revenues, and the sar deshmukhí of the province of the Dakhin, as well as the proceeds of the Kokan and other territories, which were designated as their ancient dominions. At the same period Rája Sáhú appointed Bálájí, son of Basú Náth (Biswa Náth), who belonged to the class of Kokaní Brahmins, to fill the post of his vakíl at the Court of the Emperor; and in all the districts of the six provinces of the Dakhin he appointed two revenue commissioners of his own, one to collect the sar deshmukhí, and the other to receive the fourth share or chauth. * *
Amíru-l umará Husain 'Alí, having increased the mansabs held by Bálájí, the son of Basú Náth, and Sankarájí Malhár, deputed them to superintend the affairs of the Dakhin, and sent them to join 'Álim 'Alí Khán. * * After the death of Bálájí, the son of Basú Náth, his son, named Bájí Ráo, became his successor, and Holkar, who was a servant of Bálájí Ráo, having urged the steed of daring, at his master's instigation, at full speed from the Dakhin towards Málwá, put the (subadár) Giridhar Bahádur to death on the field of battle. After this occurrence, the government of that province was conferred on Muhammad Khán Bangash; but owing to the turbulence of the Mahrattas, he was unable to restore it to proper order. On his removal from office, the administration of that region was entrusted to Rája Jai Singh Sawái. Unity of faith and religion strengthened the bonds of amity between Bájí Ráo and Rája Jai Singh; and this circumstance was a source of additional power and influence to the former, insomuch that during the year 1146 (1733 A.D.) he had the audacity to advance and make an inroad into the confines of Hindústán. The grand wazír 'Itimádu-d daula Kamru-d dín Khán was first selected by the Emperor Muhammad Sháh to oppose him, and on the second occasion Muzaffar Khán, the brother of Samsámu-d daula Khán-daurán. These two, having entered the province of Málwá, pushed on as far as Sironj, but Bájí Ráo returned to the Dakhin without hazarding an engagement. * *