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Before shifting his capital from Bham to Nagpur Raghuji Bhonsle was required to undertake an expedition to Karnataka at the order of Chhatrapati Shahu. It was mainly intended to punish Chanda Saheb who had usurped the kingdom of Trichinopoly by deceiving its Rani Minakshi, and was casting his greedy eyes on the Maratha principality of Tanjore. Raja Pratapsingh of Thanjavur, Shahu's cousin, appealed to him for help when harassed by Chanda Saheb.
When Pratapsingh appealed to Shahu for help against Chanda Saheb, Shahu dispatched a large force under Raghuji and Fatesinh Bhosle of Akkalkot in 1739. They were to punish Chanda Saheb, protect Pratapsinh and collect Chauth.[1]
Dost Ali, the father-in-law of Chanda Saheb was the ruling nawab at Arcot and Chanda Saheb had grown into importance at his court by his ability. He had trained his troops with the help of the French and had an artillery corps. The French governor at Pondicherry was his friend.
In 1740, the Maratha forces came down upon Arcot. The nawab Dost Ali tried to stop them in the pass of Damalcherry. When Maratha attempts to settle the matters by negotiations proved futile, they attacked the nawab. In the stiff war that followed, Dost Ali, one of his sons Hasan Ali, and a number of prominent persons lost their lives. This initial success at once enhanced Maratha prestige in the south. From Damalcherry the Marathas proceeded to Arcot. It surrendered to them without much resistance. At this time the late nabab's son Safdar Ali had taken shelter in the fort of Vellore, and Chanda Saheb was watching the events entrenched at Trichinopolly. Before the fall of Arcot, the women and treasure of the nawab were sent to Pondicherry for safety.
Dumas, the governor of Pondicherry, hesitated at first to protect them fearing Maratha attack on the French stronghold, but finally gave them refuge. The Marathas, who had learnt about the vast wealth of the nawab, were much disappointed to find it in French custody. Raghuji at once wrote to Dumas threatening him with grave consequences if he failed to surrender the treasure of the nawab. Dumas firmly replied in the negative mentioning that the only authority whose orders he obeyed was the King of France. Raghuji had full knowledge of the well-equipped French stronghold of Pondicherry. It was not an easy affair for the Marathas to take Pondicherry. Moreover, in the extreme hour of calamity, the French could easily escape into the sea with the women and wealth of their protege, unscratched. The Marathas had no navy at this time to impede the French escape. Calculating all this Raghuji wisely preferred a hollow threat to a dishonourable and futile attack on the French.
Chanda Saheb was very much alarmed at the fall of Arcot. Safdar Ali, his brother-in-law one of the sons of the late nawab sought Raghuji's support to crush Chanda Saheb who was aspiring to be the nawab after the death of Dost Ali. A secret agreement was signed by the two parties on 16th November 1740, by which Raghuji was to bet one crore of rupees on reducing Trichinopoly and making Chanda Saheb a prisoner. Chanda Saheb sought help from Dumas. Raghuji was joined by the Hindu palegars and Pratapsingh. With the allied force, Raghuji invested Trichinopoly in December 1740. Chanda Saheb, besieged at Trichinopoly asked his brother who was at Madura to come speedily for help. The Marathas, who got tip-off of this aid, attacked Bada Saheb (Chanda Saheb's brother) and killed him. Unable to resist, Chanda Saheb delivered the fort to Raghuji on 14th March 1741, on the auspicious day of Ram Navami. Chanda Saheb and his son were arrested and sent to Nagpur. In 1744, they were released by Raghuji on receiving a handsome ransom of Rs. 7.25 lacs from the bankers of Satara. Nothing is known about the place where these prisoners were kept in confinement.
Raghuji duly merited the attention of the Chhatrapati by his distinguished service in the Karnatak campaign. The Chhatrapati soon conferred upon him the mokasa of Berar and Gondavana up to the frontiers of Katak. The Karnatak campaign placed Raghuji among the first-rate noblemen at the court of Shahu.[2]
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