Following the death of the Peshwa Madhavrao I, a succession dispute arose between his younger brother Narayanrao and his uncle Raghunathrao.

British gernadiers keep Maratha forces at Bay.

Source: Cassell’s illustrated history of India (1880), via Wikimedia Commons

Raghunath sought the help of the British to assassinate his nephew and assume control of the Maratha Empire, in return for the islands of Salsette and Bassein. However, after the coup was instigated, the British reneged on their promise to install Raghunath as Peshwa, offering him a pension instead and annulling the Treaty of Surat.