A History of the Mahrattas v2.c49.23

v2.c49.23

Sindia’s affairs in Malwa at length became in the highest degree critical. Jeswunt Rao Holkar’s energy and success threatened the entire subjugation of that province, a great part of which he had already pillaged and laid waste. The rise of this predatory chieftain was singularly rapid. After his escape from Nagpoor, he fled to Dhar, where he was kindly received by Anund Rao Powar: but as soon as Sindia heard of his retreat, Anund Rao being unable to shelter him from the power of that chief, he furnished him with a few horses and a little money; with which slender commencement, by enterprise and pillage he soon collected a band of marauders, and united to his fortunes Umeer Khan,¹ a Patan adventurer at the head of a well-mounted body of his countrymen, who, by his abilities and predatory habits, was a fit auxiliary for the schemes which Holkar meditated.