पानीपत १७६१ (मराठा साम्राज्य एवं पानीपत महायुद्ध इतिहास)

SADASHIVRAO’S APPOINTMENT FOR NORTHERN INDIA . 49
the route from Delhi to Jaipur, and occupied it without much trouble. When
Dattaji returned in 1758 with a strong force he again assumed humbleness and
tried to make a common cause with him in the spoliation of the Mughal em-
pire. He had kept on good terms with the Shinde family since the time he
was saved by Jayapa Shinde against Malharrao's fury at Kumbher, and thus
shielded himself against Malharrao's exactions. But he respected neither friend
nor foe when it was a question of aggrandizing himself at the cost of others.
For the present he had made common cause with Shinde and Holkar, fully
knowing that they would not be troublesome to him after their late defeats
at the hands of Abdali. On the other hand they were useful to him in meet-
ing the calls of Sadashivrao Bhau on his resources. Now finding himself un-
able to fulfil his life's ambition of governing Delhi, he silently walked away
from Bhau's camp with a show of anger at Bhau's policy. Bhau certainly felt
the loss of his help at this crucial time and tried to recall him. Mahipatrao
Chitnis, Gangoba Chandrachud and Ramaji Anant were sent after him to
bring him back.⁷⁸ This proves that Bhau had no intention of insulting him
as is made to appear in the Bhau Bakhar. Nor was he remiss in trying to win
him over with assurances. But it looks as if the Jat Raja was thoroughly
selfish and left the Maratha camp, ostensibly on account of a difference in out-
look on matters of policy, but really to save himself from Bhau's demands
and importunities due to the starving condition of his men and animals
Throughout the Panipat campaign, Bhau was never once suspicious of the Jat's
attitude towards the Marathas, but always hoped for good behaviour from him
Though he had openly consented not to help⁷⁹ Bhau in his diplomatic talks
with Najib and Shuja as Abdali's emissaries, with a view to excuse himself
from paying tribute to the Afghan monarch, Surajmal did not do anything
antagonistic to the Maratha interests, but on the other hand considerably
helped them by allowing provisions and money to pass through his territory
unmolested.⁸⁰ There seems to have been talk of Surajmal's son, Jawahirmal,
coming to Bhau's help with the Jat forces at the beginning of October. When
Prince Javan Bakht was proclaimed on 10th October and the seals of his father
were brought into use, the Jat Raja became finally reconciled to the Maratha
side.⁷⁹ All these facts refute the criticism of Bhau's behaviour in his
dealings with Surajmal Jat. His humane behaviour and the monetary help
he afforded to the Maratha fugitives after Panipat completely belies the story
so dramatically related in the chronicle.
As related above, the peace parleys were dragging on all along, but
without sincerity on either side. Ahmad Shah had changed his camp of
thatched huts at Anupshahar on the Ganges at the beginning of August.⁸¹ This
was first a countermove to Bhau's occupation of Delhi, and was also due to the
unhealthiness of the place. Thousands of his horses and camels succumbed
to the heavy monsoon in the low-lying Gangetic valley.⁸² His first thought was
⁷⁸ SPD 27.258.
⁷⁹ Parasnis Persian Akhbars Mss
⁸⁰ Raj. 1.259.
⁸¹ Ibid. 1.226-7, 246.
⁸² SPD 2 131; Raj 6 404
P. F.—4