A History of the Mahrattas v2.c54.20

v2.c54.20

A.D. 1809.—Sindia's territory was nearly as much disturbed as that of Holkar. His military establishment far exceeded his financial means, and to rid himself of the clamours of his troops he was obliged to send them out to subsist upon the districts in the manner which was adopted by Holkar; but some found employment in reducing several refractory Zumeendars and Rajas, who were Sindia’s tributaries. Armies accustomed to rapine and violence in extensive regions, were now confined to tracts comparatively small; the burden of their exactions became in many places intolerable, and districts before cultivated and populous were fast running to waste and wretchedness. For the supply of personal exigencies, Sindia was obliged to have recourse to a banker, who at large rates of interest furnished him with occasional advances of money¹; and of all his pecuniary resources the pensions which he and his family derived from the British Government were the security most acceptable. On the death of Ambajee Inglia,² Sindia proceeded to reduce the territory in Gohud, held by Ambajee’s family, and having established his camp at Gwalior in 1810, though he frequently went on pilgrimages and expeditions, he never moved his headquarters from that spot; hence Sindia’s camp, as it is called, has become a great city. His authority was considerably strengthened by the reduction of Inglia’s Jagheer; and the death of his father-in-law, Shirzee Rao Ghatgay, having happened during the preceding season, was important both in tranquillizing the domestic feuds and public dissensions which that turbulent man was perpetually exciting. The articles of the treaties with Sindia and Holkar respecting Shirzee Rao were subsequently annulled by the British Government. He afterwards exercised considerable power, and frequently dictated to his son-in-law in the most audacious manner: the circumstances which led to his death originated in a violent altercation respecting a Jagheer, which Shirzee Rao, in opposition to Sindia, wished to confer on some rich Sillidars,³ the Nimbalkurs of Watar. Sindia, unable longer to endure his violent and contumacious behaviour, ordered him to be arrested, when Shirzee Rao having refused to obey the mandate, Anund Rao Sindia, the son of Mannajee Phakray, transfixed him with a spear, and thus rid the world of a being than whom few worse have ever disgraced humanity.¹ Doulut Rao, if he did not order, approved of the deed, and it is said that he has all his life been a prey to remorse for the atrocious actions to which he was induced to lend his sanction, when under the influence of the monster Ghatgay.²