Assassination of the Peshwa: A true story of the murder that shook the Maratha empire ǀ A thrilling historical account

A true story of sensational murders at Shaniwar Wada

and the landmark trial by Ram Shastri Prabhune

Ankur Chaudhary

An imprint of

Srishti Publishers & Distributors

Srishti Publishers & Distributors

A unit of AJR Publishing LLP

212A, Peacock LaneShahpur Jat,

New Delhi – 110 049

[email protected]

First published by Bold,

an imprint of Srishti Publishers & Distributors in 2023

Copyright © Ankur Chaudhary, 2023

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This is a work of non-fiction, based on the author’s thorough research. Some events have been fictionalised for dramatic effect. While due care has been taken to verify all information at press time, any inadvertent miss brought to notice shall be updated in the subsequent editions.

The author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers.

Printed and bound in India

Dedicated to

Ram Shastri Prabhune,

the judge, who redefined justice.

Acknowledgements

I am fortunate to be born in India, a country which has a rich history and heritage. I am not a historian, but I like reading about Indian history. When I started reading about the Maratha empire, I was fascinated by it. It is just a coincidence that I live in Pune, the city which once had been the capital of the Maratha empire and a great place to be in if you are interested in Maratha history.

During the research for this book, I read about many powerful and visionary leaders of the time who impressed me, but I was particularly captivated by the life of Madhavrao Peshwa. He was the fourth Peshwa from Bhat family and had qualities of both his father, Nanasaheb Peshwa, and his grandfather, Bajirao Peshwa. He was not only a fierce warrior, but also an astute politician.

It was during the reign of Madhavrao Peshwa that Ram Shastri Prabhune became Chief Justice of the Maratha empire. You will learn more about him when you read the story.

This book would not have even existed without the guidance of my literary agent Suhail Mathur from The Book Bakers literary agency. It was during a casual conversation when Suhail suggested me to write a book about Ram Shastri Prabhune. I delved deep into the Maratha history and when I finally decided to take this story to the readers, Suhail was a constant support during the writing journey.

Namrata, from Keemiya Creatives, supported me in proof reading and editing the story in the early stages and her contribution helped in shaping up the story.

I am thankful to my editor Stuti Gupta and my publishing team at Srishti Publishers led by Arup Bose for picking this story and bringing it to life. They believed in this story and have been very supportive and encouraging on this journey.

I am thankful to numerous historians and authors who had researched and written extensively about the Maratha empire. Their work has been a great source of information and inspiration in writing this book.

I dedicate this book to my family. Varuna, my wife, who always supports me while I spend countless hours reading and writing stories. Anaya, my inquisitive daughter, who keeps asking many intriguing questions about the Peshwas, Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha empire. Ved, my son, who is too young to understand any of this, but still loves to sit on my lap and stare at the laptop while I write.

At last, to my readers. I am thankful to you for choosing this

story. Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

THE JUDGEMENT DAY

October 1773

Maratha Darbar, Alegaon

The night in Alegaon was buzzing with political activity. One could hear the footfalls of the soldiers walking, palanquin bearers arriving and the clopping of horses as the guests were pouring in from all corners of the Maratha empire. Alegaon had turned into a big Maratha camp over the last few weeks. Anandibai was in the darbar, standing in front of the musnud, and staring at it. The guards were standing some distance away from her with mashaal in their hands to lighten the darbar for her. For the last few days, she had been taking care of all the preparations for the coronation of her husband as the next Peshwa of the Maratha empire.

‘This darbar will witness history in a few days,’ thought Anandibai. She heard someone approaching her and turned around to see that her dasi had arrived for the fourth time that evening. Anandibai understood that it was very late in the night.

"I know you want me to take rest now, but I will not get any rest till Swari becomes Peshwa." Anandibai chuckled and signalled her dasi and guards to follow her. As she came out of the darbar, guards quickly walked in front of her to show her the path in the dark. She reached her chamber, confident of the preparations. Everything had gone as per plan, except for one thing.

‘Will Ram Shastri come?’ a question crossed her mind. It was going to be a long night for her in Alegaon.

***

It was a quiet night in Poona and the weather was pleasant due to the onset of the winter season. All the windows and doors of his house were closed and no mashaal or diya was lighted inside. Ram Shastri wanted to remain in the darkness; darkness which many in the empire had already embraced. The moon was already up in the sky, shining in the darkness of the night and giving him some hope in darker times. The invitation to join the coronation ceremony was lying next to him with a special mention of his name as the distinguished guest.

Ram Shastri had joined the Maratha empire as a clerk more than two decades back, during the reign of Nanasaheb Peshwa. With his knowledge, hard work and devotion, he rose through the ranks to become the Chief Justice of the empire. In his tenure as the Chief Justice, he had never hesitated in delivering difficult decisions in the darbar. It was for the first time in his life that he was contemplating his options.

It was a long night for Ram Shastri too. The opportunity had finally arrived when he could deliver justice to the most tragic and sinful incident that Marathas had ever witnessed. He spent the whole night contemplating the ramifications that the judgement could have on the affairs of the state, along with the danger it could bring to him and his family. He was unfazed by the threats and resistance he had faced during the investigation.

The Maratha empire was in turmoil for the last few weeks and Ram Shastri was well aware of the consequences of the judgement. The succession dispute could lead to a political crisis, which would only get worse with his judgement.

‘Should I postpone the delivery of the judgement for the sake of political continuity and stability?’ thought Ram Shastri. He did not realize when he dozed off, till the chants of Ganpati aarti from a nearby temple woke him up. As the dawn broke, with the arrival of sunlight, the darkness slowly disappeared from his house. A new day had started, but it brought no respite for him. Ram Shastri was still not able to make up his mind.

Maratha empire was buzzing with a political activity that was never seen before. There were rumours, conspiracies, and a strange fear of the unknown. Subjects were talking in hushed tones inside their houses, traders were discussing this in the bazaars, and officials were talking at their workplaces. Everyone in the city had only one question on their minds – ‘Is it true?’

In that year, it was relatively peaceful in most parts of the continent. There had not been much political activity and, for the last few months, the focus of Hindustan had shifted to Poona. Maratha Chiefs, loyalists, friends and enemies were keenly observing the happenings at Shaniwar Wada, and the public at Poona was concerned about the way power had shifted in the last few months. ‘Are we forgetting the moral values which were taught to us by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?’ questioned many in the empire.

***

You look tired today, Janaki exclaimed as she walked towards the prayer room with a thali of aarti in her hands.

Join me for the morning aarti, Janaki said again as she did not get any response from him.

Ram Shastri had finished his morning rituals and had joined his wife in the prayer room, however, he did not respond to the question asked by Janaki. Once the aarti was over, he took the blessings of Lord Ganesh and Janaki offered him the prasada.

Janaki was looking at her husband. The breakfast served to him was untouched and he was lost in thoughts.

Gajanan will answer our prayers, said Janaki. Ram Shastri did not respond again and silently started munching his breakfast.

The coronation of Raghunathrao was just two days away and the city of Poona was celebrating, rather forcefully. All the houses were thoroughly checked by the soldiers and owners were heckled if they did not find the toran adorning the entrance. As the guards approached Ram Shastri’s house, they found no toran and no decoration. The soldiers rushed and invited their leader as they were excited to find a house without toran. The leader of the group arrived on the horse and as he got down from his horse in front of the house, he realized that this was the house of the Chief Justice of the Maratha empire.

"Hujur, what are you thinking? We should ask the owner to come outside immediately," said a soldier in the group.

Let me fetch a toran from a nearby house, said another soldier and rushed away. Slowly, a few more soldiers arrived on their horses as they were happy with another opportunity to exercise their power.

Let me pull the owner from inside, a soldier came forward and rushed towards the gate.

Stop! Do you have an idea who stays here?The leader was agitated. He was still in two minds. Ram Shastri had a stature in the Maratha empire and had been a senior member under previous Peshwas.

The group of soldiers was getting impatient with the inaction of their leader. The soldiers were waiting for some entertainment and the crowd started gathering outside the house of Ram Shastri.

A soldier had already fetched a toran and started putting it at the entrance of the house; the crowd started cheering in anticipation.

Long live Shrimant Raghunathrao Peshwa, shouted the group of soldiers.

Ram Shastri and Janaki heard the noises coming from outside and for a while, they ignored thinking that it would be a group of soldiers roaming around the city.

Do you hear these noises? asked Ram Shastri and Janaki nodded.

I will go and check. Janaki walked towards the door.

Oh, Lord! Janaki exclaimed as soon as she opened the door. When she saw the crowd outside, she immediately closed it and rushed inside.

What happened? Ram Shastri asked her. Her facial expressions conveyed that something was wrong.

The crowd, which was looking with anticipation as the door of Ram Shastri’s house opened and he emerged from inside, shouted in his favour. He looked around and was surprised to see a gathering of people and some Peshwa soldiers outside his house.

A soldier who was putting the toran at the entrance lost his balance and one side of the toran fell on Ram Shastri’s head, it was then he grasped the reason for the gathering and lost his cool.

Stop it now and get away from my house!Ram Shastri said authoritatively and pulled the toran.

Shastribuwa, the empire is in a celebratory mood and it is the order of Shrimant Raghunathrao Peshwa that all the houses should be decorated, the leader responded.

Dadasaheb is yet to become Peshwa. I order you to remove this and get away immediately, Ram Shastri stood firm. Fearing the consequences of fighting with the judge of the empire, the soldiers stepped back. The leader of the group warned Ram Shastri of the consequences for having defied the order of the Peshwa and left. Soon, the crowd also dispersed.

Why are you so angry with these soldiers? They are just following orders, Janaki asked, Ram Shastri did not respond. With a heavy heart, he decided to get ready and leave for Alegaon.

You are angry with these soldiers here, but going to join the coronation ceremony in Alegaon! Janaki said sarcastically.

I have decided to go to Alegaon, but I am still not sure about the purpose of my visit, Ram Shastri responded.

Have you forgotten the promise you made to Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwa on his death bed? Do you remember the face of Vahinisaheb when she visited you a few days back? Janaki questioned him again.

I have not forgotten anything, Janaki! But how can I fight this battle alone? What happened that day in Shaniwar Wada is an open fact now. However, instead of focusing on getting justice for the deceased Peshwa, the whole Maratha empire is eagerly waiting for the coronation of the new Peshwa, Ram Shastri’s voice quavered.

It is the responsibility of the Chief Justice of this empire to deliver justice and show the right path to everyone. If not you, then who will? Janaki said calmly.

What should I do Janaki?Ram Shastri stared into oblivion, unsure whether the question he asked was for Janaki or himself.

Ram Shastri had never felt so helpless in his life. In the past, on many occasions, he had stood in the darbar and questioned the decisions of Madhavrao Peshwa. That was the time when a judge commanded immense respect in the Maratha court. He even had the authority to question the Peshwa, but times had changed.

I am unable to see a way out of this situation Janaki. What should I do? he repeated his question.

Something that you have always done! Janaki said and added, Justice!

She looked at her husband with pride in her eyes. Ram Shastri was ready to leave for Alegaon; he was already late and the palki was waiting for him outside his house. Ram Shastri walked towards the door and Janaki followed him.

Before boarding the palki, Ram Shastri turned back and looked towards Janaki. He waited for a while before speaking, weighing his words.

Do you know the cost of justice, Janaki? I don’t think it is any safer in the empire to deliver justice. You have seen what happened just now, Ram Shastri was concerned. Janaki could sense the fear in her husband’s voice.

The path of truth and justice has always been dangerous, but in the end, you come out victorious. You have the proof and truth on your side and the blessings of Gajanan. God is giving you a chance to uphold the values of Shivaji Maharaj, Janaki tried her best to motivate him.

Ram Shastri boarded the palki. It was a long journey ahead and on his way, he thought about the discussion he had with Janaki. The last few months had been very cruel in Shaniwar Wada which had seen conspiracies, rebellion, deceptions and murders. Ram Shastri took it upon himself to investigate the murders against the wishes of many in the empire and he had taken the investigation to a logical end.

It was time for the judgement!

By the time he reached Alegaon, it was late in the night. Ram Shastri had not informed anyone about his arrival to keep it a secret till the day of coronation. It was important to protect the proof and stay out of political influence. Ram Shastri also needed time to make up his mind and had decided not to meet even Nana Phadnis and Haripant Phadke, who were already camping in Alegaon.

On the morning of the coronation day, Ram Shastri sent a message to Raghunathrao about his arrival in Alegaon. Raghunathrao was happy that his coronation would have the formal approval of