New History of the Marathas v2.c26.81

v2.c26.81

Antaji's graphic letter gives a vivid idea of life and conditions prevailing at this time at Delhi. He purposely wrote a clear description to the Peshwa and asked that either he himself or Sadashivrao Bhau should at once visit Delhi and personally resolve the Maratha entanglements, which, if allowed to drift, would surely bring about disaster. It is a pity the warning was not heeded. The Peshwa dispatched to Delhi his incompetent brother Raghunathrao, who made the confusion worse confounded, as the sequel will show. In the meantime the small but daring commander Antaji and a greedy ambassador like Hingne were called upon to deal with the grave situation at the capital as best they could. Everybody perceived that a civil war was about to rage in the capital, between the Emperor and his Wazir and Antaji's help was eagerly courted by both. Both offered him heavy bribes. Antaji recklessly agreed to support the Emperor, on condition that the two Subahs of Oudh and Allahabad, which had been held by the Wazir, should be given up to the Marathas.