New History of the Marathas v2.c32.6

v2.c32.6

There are of course other minor episodes intermixed with these: but if these four heads are kept steadily in view, it would be easier to study the complexities of this Peshwa’s situation and estimate at their true value his powers as a great ruler. He gave a distinct promise of attaining to the position of the supreme arbiter of India’s destinies in competition with the two contemporary British statesmen Clive and Warren Hastings. It would be convenient to take up for narration the Karnatak expedition first. But before doing so we must review the general situation of Indian politics, which forced itself on the Peshwa’s attention and induced him to prefer this one task to others more or less equally urgent.