New History of the Marathas v2.c33.17

v2.c33.17

At the moment of Holkar's reverse Mahadji Sindia was near Kota in Rajputana and ran immediately to that veteran's support. But as the affair had been finished, he could do little to retrieve the position. He wrote to the Peshwa on 10th August, "Holkar is at Datia, where I am going to meet him and with his co-operation I am anxious to undertake some grand projects." Most of the Indian politicians and potentates of the day watched the change with anxious dismay. Shuja-ud-daula in his perplexity asked for advice from Ahmad Khan Bangash. The latter told him, "Don't entertain the false hope that others would come and fight your battles. If you have the nerve, stand forth boldly against the English, even if you perish thereby. If you have not such a daring in you, you must go unhesitatingly to the English General and quietly accept whatever terms he imposes upon you." Shuja acted up to this latter course.⁴