A History of the Mahrattas v2.c37.121

v2.c37.121

These instructions were not received by General Goddard until the month of August ; various plans were in the meantime proposed at Bombay : that, by General Goddard, of making an increase of eight battalions of native infantry, drawing out the old, and leaving the new levies in garrison ; calling on Futih Sing Gaekwar, the Nabobs of Surat and Cambay, to assist with their utmost means ; permitting Rugonath Rao to assemble horse ; bringing down Colonel Muir’s force from Malwa ; forming a junction with his (Goddard’s) army ; and carrying the war, first into the heart of the Deccan and then into Mysore, was very extensive, and with funds it would have been practicable; but the lowest estimate of the required monthly disbursement was seven lacks of rupees, an expense which to the members of the Bombay Government was quite appalling at this season of unprecedented distress. Goddard, however, in hopes of aid from Bengal, proceeded to Guzerat for the purpose of conferring with Futih Sing and Rugoba. Several schemes were proposed for the ensuing season; but one, which was suggested to the Bombay Government, is too remarkable to be omitted:—Certain dispossessed Mahratta Deshmookhs,¹ and men whose ancestors had held Jagheer lands under the Mahomedan governments, came forward and offered, on certain conditions, to put the English in possession of the Concan and of the whole of the forts in the Syhadree range; provided the British Government would, on obtaining possession of the country, recognize their ancient rights; grant them on the delivery of each fort fifty thousand rupees for each of the larger fortresses, and ten thousand for the smaller; allowing them to retain whatever plunder in money, jewels, gold and silver ornaments, and mares they might acquire; but everything else, of whatever description, they agreed to relinquish. Their proposals were fully considered,² but finally rejected.