Diplomacy
On 20 January 1754, the Marathas attacked Kumher Fort, besieging it until 18 May; a state of war which continued for about four months.
One day in March Khande Rao Holkar, Malhar Rao's son, was inspecting his army in an open palanquin. He was fired upon from the fort and hit by a cannonball, dying on 17 March. His father Malhar Rao vowed that he would cut off the head of Maharaja Suraj Mal and throw the fort into the Yamuna River.
The Marathas increased their pressure and Suraj Mal held his defenses, though no other ruler was ready to come to his aid. He consulted with Maharani Kishori.
Knowing of the enmity between Malhar Rao Holkar and Jayappa Sindhia, she advised Maharaja Suraj Mal to take advantage of the differences within the Marathas camp.
To this end she began by making contact with Diwan Roop Ram Katara, the friend of Jayappa Sindhia, whom she asked to take a letter from her husband to Jayappa Sindhia with a proposal for a treaty. Jayappa Sindhia contacted Raghunath Rao, who in turn advised Holkar to make a peace treaty with Suraj Mal.
Malhar Rao Holkar assessed the situation and consented, out of fear of becoming politically isolated. This led to a treaty on 18 May 1754, which proved of great benefit to Maharaja Suraj Mal.
Read more about this topic: Maharani Kishori
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