The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.193

v4.c21.193

Meanwhile, the Peshwā had been planning an expedition to northern India to extricate the Bhāo Sāhib, and he had, without success, endeavoured to enlist the co-operation of the Nizām. Bālājī was now in failing health, and incapable of acting with promptness. He was distracted by family dissensions, and haunted by the spectre of bankruptcy, the result of his far-flung ambitions in the north. But in any case, the Bhāo and his heroic comrades were beyond the reach of earthly help. On 24 January, at Bhīlsa, a banker's letter was intercepted, which announced in enigmatic language the tragedy of ten days previously. "Two pearls have been dissolved," it said, "twenty-seven gold mohurs have been lost, and of the silver and copper, the total cannot be cast up." Bālāji pressed on, hoping that some of his family might have survived, but fugitives now began to come in, who confirmed the completeness of the tragedy. Bālāji slowly fell back on Poona, which he reached in June. Here, on the 23rd, he passed away in the palace which he had erected on the Pārvatī hill, calling for his lost son. It is easy to be wise after the event, and innumerable criticisms have been passed upon the Bhāo for his arrogance and refusal to take advice from his captains. But Sadāshiv Rāo, with all his faults, atoned by death for any errors of which he may be adjudged guilty. Defeat is sometimes as honourable as victory, and at Pānīpat the Marāthās went down fighting.