A History of the Mahrattas v2.c44.4

v2.c44.4

As to a summary of the character of Mahadajee Sindia; though much of his success is attributable to a combination of circumstances, he was a man of great political sagacity and of considerable genius; of deep artifice, of restless ambition, and of implacable revenge. With a high opinion of his personal address, he generally failed where he attempted to exercise it; and in ebullitions of anger, to which he was prone, he frequently exposed what he most wished to conceal. His countenance was expressive of good sense and good humour; but his complexion was dark, his person inclining to corpulency, and he limped from the effects of his wound at Panniput. His habits were simple, his manners kind and frank, but sometimes blustering and coarse. He was beloved by his dependants, liberal to his troops in assignments of land or orders on villages, but quite the reverse in payments from his treasury or in personal donatives; a characteristic not only of Mahadajee Sindia, but of Mahrattas generally. His disposition was not cruel, although his punishments were severe. He could not only write, but what is rare among the Mahrattas, he was a good accountant and understood revenue affairs. His districts in Malwa were well managed, a circumstance, however, which must be ascribed to a judicious selection of agents; for Sindia, like most Mahratta chieftains, was too much engaged in politics or war to bestow the time and attention necessary to a good civil government.¹ He died without male issue.