New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s2.8

v3.c37.s2.8

How this regrettable affair undermined the prestige and efficiency of the Maratha administration can be easily conceived. The fall of Ghulam Qadir was a moment which marked Sindia's complete ascendency in imperial affairs. If he had been then willingly supported by Holkar and Ali Bahadur, the elements hostile to the Marathas, such as the Rajput chiefs, Ismail Beg and the Gosavis would have collapsed in no time, so that Mahadji could have moved to the south in 1790 to concert with Nana a strong policy with reference to the Tripartite treaty against Tipu Sultan. A bold front was needed at that critical moment. Men in responsible positions even then made this clear. Vithal Shivdeo's son Shivajipant Bapu then present in the north, all along exerted himself to the utmost to bring about a reconciliation between Mahadji and Ali Bahadur; but his efforts proved of no avail.⁴