A History of the Mahrattas v1.c20.45

v1.c20.45

Bajee Rao was early trained to habits of business by his father; he had accompanied him to Delhi, and was present at one or more interviews which took place between Ballajee and the Raja Jey Sing of Jeypoor, a circumstance which promoted a future connexion with that celebrated chief. Bred a soldier as well as a statesman, Bajee Rao united the enterprise, vigour, and hardihood of a Mahratta chief, with the polished manners, the sagacity, and address which frequently distinguish the Bramins of the Concan. Fully acquainted with the financial schemes of his father, he selected that part of the plan calculated to direct the predatory hordes of Maharashtra in a common effort. In this respect the genius of Bajee Rao enlarged the schemes which his father devised; and unlike most Bramins, of him it may be truly said, he had both the head to plan and the hand to execute. To the assiduous industry and minute observation that seem inherent in his caste, he superadded a power of discrimination that taught him to direct his mind to those leading points of political importance, which tended so materially to extend Mahratta sway during the period of his administration.