A History of the Mahrattas v1.c22.29

v1.c22.29

Khan Dowran’s attempts were feeble, but his preparations were always splendid; all Delhi was in bustle when his expeditions set out; but they commenced in bombast and ended in ridicule. His brother, Muzuffir Khan, moved forth to drive the plunderers and robbers across the Nerbuddah. Holkar sent a few of his light troops to molest his march during the day and to throw rockets into his camp during the night; but he never allowed himself to be interrupted in the collection of contributions, in which he was employed for the purpose of endeavouring to satisfy the importunate demands of his master the Peishwa, whose pecuniary distress had become very great. Muzuffir Khan advanced as far as Seronje, whence he returned, and was received at Delhi as if he had performed signal services, acquiring fame among his friends by the contempt of his enemies. The province of Malwa and the country south of the Chumbul, although some of the forts remained in possession of the imperial officers, were completely overrun, and the Rohillas, as well as the Mahrattas, took possession of several places.² Kantajee Kuddum Bhanday, who the year before had been constrained by the power of Dummajee Gaekwar to quit Guzerat, persuaded Holkar to make an incursion into that province, where they appeared unexpectedly; levied contributions as far as the Bunass; plundered several towns to the north of Ahmedabad, amongst which were Eder and Pulhanpoor,¹ and departed as suddenly as they had come.