A History of the Mahrattas v2.c54.6

v2.c54.6

The Nizam, the Peishwa, and the Gaekwar were already bound by the defensive and subsidiary alliances of the Marquis Wellesley; but British protection was withdrawn from the petty states in Hindoostan, excepting the Rajas of Bhurtpoor and Macherry. Rughoojee Bhonslay, Sindia, and Holkar were each left in possession of considerable tracts of territory; but under their management, the net revenues of each state, after deducting Enams and Jagheers, did not exceed sixty lacks of rupees; that of Rughoojee Bhonslay was considerably less, but his military followers were fewer and of an inferior description. The treaties with these three states were mere instruments of general amity; their intercourse was completely unrestrained, and no control, except in relation to the allies of the British Government, was to be exercised over them. Plausible reasons were not wanting for supposing that the whole pacification was wise and politic. The progress of conquest was at least impeded; a considerable territory, pretty equally balanced, remained to each of the chiefs; and it was expected that their domestic wars, the plunder of their neighbours, and the fear of losing what they possessed, would deter them from hostile proceedings against the British Government. In the armies which they maintained, a portion of the unemployed soldiery, numbers of whom were entertained in the British service during the war and discharged from it immediately afterwards, would still obtain a livelihood; and it was even hoped that these chiefs would find it their interest to establish order in their revenue collections, gradually to reduce their military establishments, and turn their attention to cultivate the arts of peace. Until these desirable reforms could be effected, the vigilance of the British Government and the power of its allies would, it was supposed, be quite sufficient to quell disorders or inroads occasioned by the plundering hordes, which after every war in India disturb the general tranquillity.