The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.s1.30

v4.c21.s1.30

The crafty Ghāzī-ud-dīn offered a solution of the difficulty. He promised, in return for a free commission, to carry Holkar with him and to close his mouth. The commission was issued and in May, having appointed his son to represent him at the capital, he left Delhi for the Deccan, accompanied by Holkar. Ghāzī-ud-dīn had already secured a promise of the support of Bālājī Rāo Peshwā who was levying contributions from districts of the Deccan in which Salābat Jang's authority was acknowledged. But with help from the French the Marāthās were defeated and Salābat Jang came to terms with them in January, 1752 (see vol. v, p. 135). Two months later Ghāzī-ud-dīn and Malhār Rāo Holkar started from Delhi and were met at Burhānpur by the Peshwā. To secure the fidelity of his Marāthā allies, who were bound to him by no ties save that of interest and were quite ready to change sides, Ghāzī-ud-dīn pledged large concessions (see chap. xiii, p. 388).