ACCESSION OF BALAJI RAO 225

and the preparation of all the munitions of war. His son continued to pass his days, sometimes at war, and at other times at peace, with the Nawab Asaf Jah. At length, in the year 1163 (1750 A. D.), Sahu Rao, the suc- cessor of Sambhaji, passed away, and the supreme au- thority departed out of the direct line of the Bhonslas. Balaji Rao selected another individual of that family, in place of Sahu's son, to occupy the post of Raja, and seated him on the throne, while he reserved for himself the entire administration of all the affairs of the king- dom. Having then degraded the ancient chieftains from the lofty position they had held, he denuded them of their dignity and influence, and began aggrandizing the Konkani Brahmans, who were of the same caste as him- self. He also constituted his cousin, Sadasheo Rao, commonly called Bhao Rao, his chief agent and prime minister. The individual in question was of acute understanding and thoroughly conversant with the proper method of government. Through the influence of his energetic counsels, many undertakings were con- stantly brought to a successful issue, the recital of which would lead to too great prolixity. In short, be- sides holding the fortress of Bijapur, he took possession anew of Daulatabad, the seat of government of the illus- trious sovereigns, together with districts yielding six million rupees, after forcibly wresting it out of the hands of Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur. He likewise took into his service Ibrahim Khan Gardi, who had a well- organized train of European artillery with him. In the year 1171 A. H. (1757-8 A.D.), Ahmad Shah