A History of the Mahrattas v2.c56.30

v2.c56.30

The military plan was equally simple and comprehensive.¹ Armies were to be assembled around the territories described, to close in by simultaneous movements to a common centre, so as to hem in the Pindharees and their abettors at all points; taking care to provide efficient means for resisting or following up any bodies of the enemy, who might pass through the advancing divisions. For this purpose, five divisions were prepared in the Deccan, and placed under the orders of Sir Thomas Hislop, Commander-in-Chief of the Madras army. One division was held ready in Guzerat, and four divisions, with two in reserve, were to co-operate from Bengal under the personal command of the Marquis of Hastings, who took the field that he might be on the scene of operations, and superintend the execution of his arrangements. Sir John Malcolm was appointed Political Agent of the Governor-General with the army of the Deccan, and had also command of one of the divisions destined for active operations in the field. The preparations in the south, as the troops had so far to march, were necessarily public; but those to the northward of Bundelcund were managed with secrecy, so as not to give the alarm to Sindia, until he should find himself compelled to submit to the intended propositions, or obliged to commence war under great disadvantage.