A History of the Mahrattas v1.c24.46

v1.c24.46

From the period of Ballajee Rao’s accession, the most friendly intercourse subsisted between him and Jey Sing; several written agreements are preserved, containing mutual assurances of alliance and support. Jey Sing was guarantee for the observance of the treaty with Mohummud Shah, and there is another remarkable reservation for the imperial dignity affixed to the treaty in question, by bringing forward Mulhar Rao Holkar, Ranoojee Sindia, and Peelajee Jadow, as the securities; who in due form declare that should the Peishwa recede from his duties they will quit his service. An absurd pledge for the fulfilment of an agreement from those whose interests lay in dissolving it; and which does not so much prove the consequence to which those commanders had attained as the state of humiliation to which the Emperor was reduced. There might be political design mixed with this plan of security, for feeble governments are full of far-fetched artifice; but the imperial court, if it thus projected its own salvation by dissensions among its enemies, did not reflect on their relative situations, nor perceive that Mahratta combination was likely to be ensured until the Moghul empire was totally subverted.