On the history trail: Peshwa Bajirao is persuaded by Sawai Jai Singh to meet the ruler at Delhi

Sawai Jai Singh, a peaceful man by nature was tired of engaging in incessant military operations against the Marathas which greatly affected his people and province. He made a calculated estimate that the Marathas would always find a way to get the upper hand under the strong leadership of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and Peshwa Bajirao.

 

He decided to exert himself towards bringing about long-lasting peace between the two warring factions after years of war and hostilities in which the Mughals had only pyrrhic victories to their credit. He began direct negotiations with the Peshwa eliminating the mischief of any middlemen on both sides.

 

He urged the Peshwa to seriously consider a personal meeting with the ruler at Delhi to resolve the vexations and demands and considerations. Sawai Jai Singh discussed the same with the counsel of the ruler and invited Peshwa Bajirao to meet with the Rajput princes first and then the ruler at Delhi.

 

The Peshwa was not particularly excited about the meetings and conferences proposed having experienced the lackadaisical attitude of the ruler at Delhi in the past. The ruler of Delhi prone to a life of leisure was known to get easily swayed by opinions of those who were animus towards the Marathas.

 

He however agreed to the proposal out of respect and admiration for Sawai Jai Singh and hoped for a positive outcome from the meeting with the Rajput princes. The Peshwa sought permission from Shahu Raje and left Poona on the auspicious occasion of Diwali in 1735.

 

He arrived in Udaipur in February 1736. An account of his visit runs thus, “The Peshwa’s name exercises such a terror over the minds of the people in the north, that he could easily remove the emperor from his position and install the Chhatrapati on the throne of Delhi.”

 

Mahadev Bhat Hingne, the Peshwa‘s agent at Delhi came to Udaipur with a draft treaty proposed by the ruler at Delhi as well as gifts. Sawai Jai Singh’s competent Diwan, Malji also accompanied Mahadev Bhat.

 

The Peshwa was accorded the highest honour everywhere he went. A grand reception was held for him in Udaipur which went on for five days from the 3rd to 7th February 1736. The Peshwa visited important monuments and left for the sacred shrine of Nathdwara. The Maharana agreed to pay a lac and a half annually as chauth.

 

Written by Lakshmi Subramanian

 

* Information about Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj is taken from archives