New History of the Marathas v3.c37.s3.7

v3.c37.s3.7

But the two youths Bajirao and Daulatrao learnt no lesson and went on heedlessly in their course. As a counterstroke to Tipu’s fate, they declared their intention of making a war upon the Nizam. Palmer communicated this news to the Governor General, who wrote to the Nizam telling him emphatically, “So long as you remain on friendly terms with the British power, we are ready to run to your help with all our forces against any enemy that may attack you. You need entertain absolutely no fear of an attack from Sindia”. A copy of this letter was presented by Palmer to Bajirao and Daulatrao, and had the desired result. Their dream of going to war avainst the Nizam vanished into the air. Bajirao, a pigmy before the giant Governor General, did in his own foolish way try to build a confederacy of Indian Powers to oppose the British. He expected Tipu to hold on for some time so that he would join him at the right moment. In this policy he tried to win over Raghoji Bhosle of Nagpur. Daulatrao and Bajirao sent secret emissaries to Mysore to instigate the new Hindu raja and the sons of Tipu to rise against the British, hardly realizing that another giant, the Governor General’s younger brother Arthur Wellesley was now posted to Mysore. Arthur detected the intrigues of Bajirao and took prompt action to counteract them.