A History of the Mahrattas v1.c20.50

v1.c20.50

Whilst he suppressed his latent designs, and partly admitted the justice of Sreeput Rao’s observations, he endeavoured, by his commanding eloquence, to arouse enthusiasm or ambition in the Raja, by recapitulating the conquests of his illustrious grandfather and reminding him of the powerful kings, the mighty emperor, with whom he had successfully contended: he painted the present condition of India,—the weakness, indolence, and imbecility of the Moghuls,—the activity, energy and enterprise of the Mahrattas: he observed, that ‘if the great Sivajee had been of the same opinion as the Pritee Needhee, he would have thought it necessary, before venturing into the Carnatic, to reduce Beejapoor and Golcondah. As to their domestic quarrels beyond the Kistna, it would be time to think of them hereafter; and that by the influence of the Raja’s good fortune, every desire would be accomplished.’ After a speech on one occasion of considerable length, which seemed to have a great effect on Shao and all present: ‘Now is our time,’ said this gallant Peishwa, ‘to drive strangers from the land of Hindoos and to acquire immortal renown. By directing our efforts to Hindoostan, the Mahratta flag in your reign shall fly from the Kistna to the Attock.’—‘You shall plant it on the Himmalya,’ exclaimed the Raja,¹ ‘you are indeed a noble son of a worthy father.’