A History of the Mahrattas v2.c52.3

v2.c52.3

Holkar, during the progress of hostilities, remained in Malwa, levying enormous contributions¹ from friend and foe, and could scarcely credit the accounts he received of the rapid victories of the English. When too late, he began to carry his designs into execution, and moved up towards the Jeypoor territory, for the purpose of negotiating for aid from the Rajpoots, the Raja of Bhurtpoor, the Rohillas, and the Seiks. He likewise dispatched an envoy to Sindia, recommending him to break the treaty and renew the war; but that chieftain was, or pretended to be at the moment, so exasperated against him, that he immediately communicated the fact to the British authority. Some of his ministers, especially his father-in-law, Shirzee Rao Ghatgay, had more confidence in Holkar, and advised Sindia, notwithstanding the communication to the British Resident, to dispatch a wukeel to the camp of Jeswunt Rao, for the purpose, as they gave out, of ascertaining his designs; but in reality to leave open the door of reconciliation, in case the project of Holkar, in whose wisdom and fortune all the Mahrattas began to have great confidence, should prove worthy of regard.