Page:Dictionary of Indian Biography.djvu/327

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

Raghunath, sought help from the Bombay Government : Nana Farnavis, being the paramour of Gunga Bai, supported Madho Rao the Peshwa : further hostiUties occurred,|the English supporting Raghunath : the Convention of Wargaum, made in 1779, was disavowed : eventually peace was restored by the treaty of Salbai of May 17, 1782, which Nana Farnavis ratified. Raghunath's cause failed, and he soon died. Sakaram was made over to Nana Farnavis by Sindia, confined in a fort, and died there. Madho Rao's title as Peshwa and Nana Furnavis' Regency were recognized. The latter was then the real head of affairs at Poona. Lord Cornwallis received from him a contingent of Mahrattas against Tippoo in 1791. Antagonism arose between Nana Farnavis and Madhava Rao Sindia (q.v.), each having claims against the other. Sindia died in 1794, leaving Nana Farnavis without a rival among the Mahrattas. They made great demands on the Nizam and defeated his army at Kurdla in March, 1795. Nana Farnavis was then at the height of his prosperity as minister, when the Peshwa, Madho Rao, committed suicide. Raghunath's son, Baji Rao, became Peshwa. Nana fled, was seized at Poona and imprisoned : became reconciled to Baji Rao : they evaded alliance with the British Government : Nana Farnavis died on March 13, 1800.

NANA SAHIB (1820?–1859?)

The chief rebel leader in the mutiny, whose barbarous cruelty and treachery have never been forgotten : his real name was Dundupant, of Bithur, near Cawnpur : the adopted son of Baji Rao (q.v.), the ex-Peshwa, who died in Dec. 1852. His claim to the continuation of Baji Rao's annual pension of 8 lakhs was fully considered and rejected, but he maintained friendly relations with, and showed hospitality to, the English residents at Cawnpur. He was allowed a retinue of all arms. He aimed at restoring the Mahratta Empire and proclaimed himself Peshwa. In the mutiny he attacked Sir Hugh Wheeler's entrenchments at Cawnpur, and, on the latter's surrender, treacherously ordered the massarce of Europeans, men, women and children, on the Ganges, on June 27, and again on July 15. He was defeated at Bithur by Havelock on July 16, 1857, when he fled. He was in action again later, and continued to instigate hostilities : until Sir Cohn Campbell drove him into Nipal at the end of 1858. Government offered a reward of a lakh of rupees for his capture, but he escaped, probably in the Nipal jungles, and was never caught. He is supposed to have died about 1859.

NAOROJI, DADABHAI (1825–)

Born Sep. 4, 1825 : son of a Parsi priest : educated at Elphinstone School and College, Bombay : Professor there of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, 1854 : took part in the public movements of the time, and in the associations for the amelioration of the natives : established the Rast Goftar newspaper : came to England as partner in the Parsi firm of Cama & Co. in London, 1855 : Professor of Gujarati, University College, London : worked for the East India Association : advocated admission of Indians to the Civil Service, 1870 : Prime Minister, Baroda, 1874; Member of the Bombay-Corporation and Town Council, 1875–6 : and of the Legislative Council, Bombay, 1885 : M.P. for Central Finsbury, 1892–5 : President, Indian National Congress, 1886 and 1893 : Member of Royal Commission on Indian Expenditure, 1895 : author of numerous papers and books on Indian grievances, including Poverty and un-British Rule in India, 1901; England's Duties to India, Financial Administration of India, etc., etc. : J. P.

NAOROJI, REV. DHANJIBHAI (1822–)

A Parsi : born near Broach in Gujarat, 1822 : educated at the Rev. Dr. J. Wilson's school, 1835 : converted May, 1. 1839 : was the subject of a writ of Habeas Corpus issued to Dr. Wilson : accompanied him to England in 1843, travelling on the way in Egypt, Syria and the Continent : after 3 years' theological study at Edinburgh, was ordained in 1846 by the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh : returned to India, 1847 : Missionary at Surat for 9 years, at Bombay from 1856, at Poona, 1873–7, labouring in the native churches, schools and the Press till after 1899.

NAPIER, SIR CHARLES JAMES (1782–1853)

Born Aug. 10, 1782 : son of Col. the Hon. George Napier : entered the 33rd