New History of the Marathas v2.c33.47

v2.c33.47

It was no small comfort to the Peshwa to feel that he was after all able to wipe off fully the disgrace of Panipat and to restore Maratha power to a position which his three great ancestors had toiled to build up. Zabeta Khan alone remained as a disturbing factor in the sphere of Delhi. The Emperor too out of selfish motives would not allow him to be crushed. Shah Alam was perhaps the most faithless and intriguing person known to Indian history, and proved a perennial problem for Mahadji to handle. He alone, however, served him to the last and did his best to save his life and dignity in the most dangerous situations. Nor was Shuja-ud daula happy at the rising tide of Maratha fortunes, and instead of joining the Marathas in resisting British aggression, became the foremost Indian chief in planting British supremacy in India.⁹