A History of the Mahrattas v1.c19.83

v1.c19.83

The affairs of the Mahrattas began to wear a more favourable aspect in all quarters; but after the confusion, weakness, and total anarchy which have just been described, the rapid expansion of their power from about this period, under the authority of Shao, is on any view very remarkable, and at first, until the cause be investigated, might seem quite incredible. The circumstances, however, which preserved that prince's ascendancy will be satisfactorily explained; and as to the domestic confusion among the Mahrattas, it may be considered the re-action of their predatory power ;—their present state was like a flood with its channel completely obstructed, which rises on its natural barriers, till surmounting or bursting through them it inundates the plains.