A History of the Mahrattas v1.c5.s2.5

v1.c5.s2.5

‘Grant Duff lived among them (the Marāthās) for years, understood their peculiar character, and without any pretension to commanding talent, seems to have combined the chief qualifications necessary to a good Political Agent. He was industrious, impartial and benevolent. He was not, moreover, a mere bookworm. He studied men and manners in the camp, the cabinet, and in the peasant’s field, as well as in the dusty records of his office. He examined the past that he might understand the present. . . . He was eminently practical. His book is written with the candour and gentlemanliness of the accomplished soldier, combined with the kindliness to be expected from a disciple of Mountstuart Elphinstone. . . . The record of that portion of Mahratta history that came under Grant Duff’s personal observation appears to us to possess the rare merit of thorough impartiality. Each topic and individual is treated manfully and courteously. Truth was his grand object. He sank no point by which it might be ascertained or illustrated; but while doing so, he uniformly treated his opponents with unassuming candour.’