New History of the Marathas v3.c37.64

v3.c37.64

1. Eclipse of the Poona rulership.—When we look back on Maratha history from the vantage-ground of our present knowledge, we cannot fail to notice that the death of the Peshwa Madhavrao I in 1772 introduced, at first unseen by any one, a profound change in the destiny of the nation. The next thirty years are marked by a revolution in the character of the Maratha Government, which, joined to the relative growth of forces outside, brought about the loss of Maratha independence and the break up of the solidarity of the Maratha dominions. Hitherto the activities of this race had flowed from the springhead at Poona and their central Government had always had a permanent head, legally entitled to the obedience of all; and that lawful head during four successive regimes had always been a hero, a born leader in war or diplomacy,—sometimes in both.