Peshwa's Strategic Instructions to Dattaji & The Holkar-Shinde Dynamic (December 1758)

Marathi History Book Reading Session Summary

Peshwa's Letters to Dattaji Shinde

Letter to Ramaji Anant (17 December 1758)

Who Was Ramaji Anant:

• Shinde family's Amatya (Chief of Staff)
• Administrative head handling Shinde clan affairs
• Recipient of official instructions from Peshwa

The Core Instructions:

"Take the side of the Wazir and destroy Najeeb Khan Rohila"

Why This Mattered:

• Nana Saheb Peshwa KNEW Najeeb Khan was a troublemaker
• "He is never going to come around" - irredeemable enemy
• Needs to be eliminated, not negotiated with
• More like an extremist - no room for compromise

The Missed Opportunity:

• When Nana Saheb was in Delhi previously, he could have dealt with Najeeb
• But Malhar Rao Holkar interfered - protected Najeeb
• So Najeeb survived and remained a problem
• Now giving Dattaji clear orders: finish the job

The Punjab Leadership Vacuum

The Adina Beg Problem:

The Setup:

• Lahore and Punjab had been secured (briefly)
• Adina Beg appointed as new Subedar of Punjab by Raghunath Rao
• Was supposed to handle administration and defense
• Sabaji Shinde stationed to help Adina Beg
  • Sabaji = younger brother (or close relative) of Dattaji Shinde

The Crisis:

• Adina Beg DIED
• Left Punjab without a Subedar (governor)
• Sabaji Shinde was an outsider with insufficient forces
• No legitimate local authority figure
• Power vacuum creating instability

Peshwa's Response:

• This is why Dattaji Shinde MUST go to Punjab
• Must provide strong leadership presence
• Establish new administrative structure
• Can't leave Sabaji alone with inadequate resources

The Bengal Directive

Why Bengal Matters

Nana Saheb's Calculation:

"The work to be done in Bengal is also important. In Bengal, we can make money."

The Strategy:

• Head east towards Bengal after securing Punjab
• Bengal = revenue source desperately needed
• This is the solution to Peshwa's debt crisis

The Shuja-ud-Daula Factor

Who Was Shuja-ud-Daula:

• Subedar of Awadh (also called Ayodhya)
• The "kingdom of Ayodhya" (later called Awadh by Muslims)
• His territory lay between Delhi and Bengal
• Key ally for eastern expansion

The Plan:

• When moving east toward Bengal, take the Wazir with you
• Having the Mughal Wazir along provides legitimacy
• If you need help, the Wazir's presence helps negotiations
• Adds official Mughal sanction to the campaign

The Trust Factor

Peshwa's Confidence in Dattaji

"If Dattaji Shinde really focuses on something, he will definitely do it."

Why Such Confidence:

• Nana Saheb had complete faith in Dattaji's abilities
• Track record of completing assigned tasks
• Honest and reliable
• Focused and determined

The Warning About Trust:

"There's no need to take help from people whom we cannot trust."

The Mansoor Ali Mystery:

• Someone named "Mansoor Ali" mentioned in the letter
• Identity unclear - possibly unreliable ally
• Definitely NOT the same person as Shuja-ud-Daula
• Peshwa warning against involving untrustworthy characters

The Desperate Financial Plea

Peshwa's Personal Request

The Summary of the Letter:

"Please do me a favor because I'm in debt. I need to pay it off, at least partially. Make sure you make some money for me."

The Backstory:

• Raghunath Rao went north with borrowed money
• Peshwa gave him treasure acquired through loans
• Raghunath Rao came back with INCREASED debt
• Peshwa now desperate for revenue

The Order:

"Do whatever it takes, but get me some money."

The Pressure:

• This wasn't just a military mission
• This was a financial rescue operation
• Dattaji HAD to return with tribute/revenue
• The Peshwa's government was on the edge of bankruptcy

The Second Letter (24 December 1758)

A Comprehensive Strategic Document

To: Dattaji Shinde directly

Length: Several pages long - very detailed

Content:

• Reinforced points from the first letter
• Provided detailed ideas and directions
• Outlined different scenarios Dattaji might face
• Gave three alternatives for various situations
• Comprehensive strategic guidance

Purpose:

• Ensure Dattaji understood the mission completely
• Prepare him for multiple contingencies
• Show the complexity and importance of the task
• Demonstrate how much thought Peshwa had put into this

Jankoji Shinde's Rajasthan Mission

The Kota Succession Crisis (Late 1758)

Jankoji Shinde:

• Another member of Shinde clan
• Son of Jayappa Shinde (Dattaji's elder brother who died)
• Young commander, around 20-22 years old

The Mission:

• Went to Rajasthan
• Small kingdom called Kota (like Jaipur or Jodhpur)
• The king had died
• Succession battle between two or more sons

The Resolution:

• Jankoji successfully mediated/resolved the dispute
• Got tribute payment for this service
• This money would help Nana Saheb
• Successful completion of mission

The Generational Meeting: Jankoji & Malhar Rao

Age and Experience Gap

At the Meeting:

• Jankoji: 20-22 years old, young and fresh
• Malhar Rao Holkar: 50-55 years old, seasoned veteran

Experience Difference:

• Malhar Rao had operated in North India for decades
• Had "fixed opinions" about northern politics
• Set in his ways - "old hag" mentality
• Years of experience hardened his views

Jankoji's Perspective:

• Just forming his opinions
• Open-minded to new ideas
• Hadn't developed rigid views yet
• More flexible in thinking

The Shinde-Holkar Rivalry Softens

Traditional Rivalry

Background:

• Shinde and Holkar families were traditional rivals
• Competing for influence and resources
• Tension between the two clans

The Breakthrough:

• This meeting between Jankoji and Malhar Rao
• Helped reduce the intensity of rivalry
• Personal connection helped bridge clan divide
• Not complete resolution, but significant improvement

Malhar Rao's Controversial Advice

The Najeeb Khan Strategy

Jankoji's Question:

• Asked Malhar Rao about politics of the North
• Seeking advice from experienced commander

Malhar Rao's Response:

"Don't get entangled with Najeeb Khan."

The Logic Behind the Advice

Surface Reasoning:

The Argument:

• In Peshwa's eyes, Najeeb Khan Rohila is a big obstacle
• If you kill Najeeb Khan, problem is solved
• But then: Why does Peshwa need you anymore?
• With Najeeb gone, northern situation improves dramatically
• You become obsolete, no longer valuable

The Self-Preservation Strategy:

"Let Najeeb Khan stay in the picture. By doing that, you're doing yourself a favor."

The Calculation:

• As long as Najeeb exists, you're needed to deal with him
• Peshwa will keep you around, value your presence
• You remain "precious" to Peshwa
• Maintain job security by maintaining the problem

The Warning:

"If you don't let go of Najeeb Khan, the Peshwa will punish you? NO. If you DO kill Najeeb Khan, you make yourself obsolete."

The Hidden Agenda

The Real Reason:

• Malhar Rao had adopted Najeeb Khan as his "son"
• Special father-son relationship
• Personal bond, not just political calculation

The Concealment:

• Malhar Rao tried to hide this real motivation
• Framed it as career advice for Jankoji
• "You'll be of use to Peshwa because he needs someone to handle Najeeb"
• But actually protecting his adopted son

The Manipulation:

• Telling Jankoji to spare Najeeb
• Claiming it's for Jankoji's benefit
• Really protecting his own relationship
• Classic case of self-interest disguised as mentorship

The Complex Triangle

Three-Way Dynamic

Peshwa's Position:

• Wants Najeeb Khan eliminated
• Sees him as irredeemable troublemaker
• Direct orders to destroy him

Malhar Rao's Position:

• Wants Najeeb Khan protected
• Personal relationship (adopted son)
• Career justification as cover
• Actively working against Peshwa's wishes

Jankoji/Dattaji's Position:

• Caught between contradictory guidance
• Peshwa says kill Najeeb
• Senior respected commander says spare him
• Must make final decision

The Authority Structure

Shinde Clan Hierarchy

Decision-Making:

• Dattaji Shinde = Head of Shinde clan (after Jayappa's death)
• All major decisions go through him
• Jankoji is youngest member of the clan
• Even if Jankoji has ideas, must get Dattaji's approval

Previous Leaders:

• Jayappa Shinde - former head, now deceased
• Killed by Vijay Singh (avenged by Dattaji in Marwad)

Parallel Structure:

• Holkar clan headed by Malhar Rao Holkar (also called "Malharba")
• Each clan operates somewhat independently
• But both serve under Peshwa ultimately

Raghunath Rao's Regret

The 1758 Delhi Opportunity

What Happened:

• Raghunath Rao took Delhi in 1758
• Had opportunity to remove Najeeb Khan
• Failed to do so - mainly because Malhar Rao adopted Najeeb as son
• Protected him from elimination

The Regret:

• Raghunath Rao now repents this decision
• Wishes he had dealt with Najeeb when he had the chance
• But it's in the past, nothing can be done
• Najeeb survives to cause more problems

The Pattern:

• Malhar Rao consistently protecting Najeeb
• Blocking efforts to eliminate him
• Creating ongoing problems for Maratha strategy
• Personal relationships interfering with strategic objectives

Key Figures

Geographic Context

Key Locations:

• Pune - Peshwa's capital, where letters sent from
• Punjab - Northwest, needs strong leadership after Adina Beg's death
• Lahore - Punjab capital
• Delhi - Mughal capital, staging ground
• Awadh/Ayodhya - Eastern kingdom ruled by Shuja-ud-Daula
• Bengal - Far east, target for revenue collection
• Kota - Small Rajasthan kingdom (succession crisis)
• Rajasthan - Region with multiple kingdoms owing tribute

Timeline

• 17 December 1758 - Peshwa writes to Ramaji Anant (Shinde's Amatya)
• 24 December 1758 - Peshwa writes lengthy letter directly to Dattaji
• Late 1758 - Jankoji resolves Kota succession, meets Malhar Rao
• Late 1758 - Adina Beg dies, leaving Punjab without Subedar

Major Themes

1. Conflicting Loyalties

Malhar Rao's personal loyalty to Najeeb Khan vs. his duty to Peshwa creates confusion in strategy.

2. Financial Desperation

Every strategic decision driven by Peshwa's crushing debt. "Get me money" is the primary objective.

3. Generational Divide

Young Jankoji (open-minded) vs. old Malhar Rao (fixed opinions) represents changing of the guard.

4. Hidden Agendas

Malhar Rao frames personal protection of Najeeb as career advice, disguising true motives.

5. Trust and Reliability

Peshwa's complete confidence in Dattaji contrasts with warning against unreliable allies.

Strategic Objectives Summary

For Dattaji Shinde:

1. Punjab: Establish strong leadership, fill Adina Beg's vacuum
2. Najeeb Khan: Destroy him (despite Malhar Rao's advice to spare)
3. Bengal: Move east, generate revenue desperately needed
4. Allies: Use Wazir and Shuja-ud-Daula, avoid unreliable people
5. Finance: Above all - MAKE MONEY for the Peshwa

The Contradiction

Peshwa's Orders:

• Kill Najeeb Khan
• He's irredeemable troublemaker
• Complete the job we failed to do in 1758

Malhar Rao's Advice:

• Don't kill Najeeb Khan
• Keep him alive for job security
• You'll be obsolete if problem is solved

Dattaji's Dilemma:

• Must obey Peshwa (ultimate authority)
• But respects Malhar Rao (senior commander)
• Personal relationships vs. strategic necessities
• Which guidance to follow?

What's Coming

Immediate Challenges:

• Dattaji must balance contradictory advice
• Punjab needs immediate attention
• Najeeb Khan decision looming
• Eastern campaign toward Bengal must be planned
• Financial pressure mounting

Underlying Tensions:

• Shinde-Holkar rivalry (though improved)
• Malhar Rao's protection of Najeeb
• Peshwa's desperate financial situation
• Young commanders vs. old guard
• Personal loyalties vs. strategic objectives

The letters reveal the complexity of Maratha politics - a Peshwa desperate for money, a trusted commander given impossible tasks, a senior leader protecting his adopted enemy son, and a young commander caught between conflicting advice. Everyone has their own agenda, and somehow Dattaji must navigate all of this while saving the empire from bankruptcy.