Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s1.6

v1.c9.s1.6

Alivardi replied to the Emperor: “Your Majesty has written to me to the above effect, and I have also received a letter from Bālāji saying that in case Raghuji invades Bengal the Peshwā’s generals [i.e., Holkar and Sindhiā] have been kept ready with their troops on the frontier of Bundelkhand to come to the Patna and Gayā districts for my defence. And yet I have been repeatedly getting letters from Raghuji to inform me that he is coming. Then, what kind of settlement is thus? If a definite agreement has been concluded with Rājah Shāhu, why should Raghuji come at all? And for what reason has Bālāji Rao written thus? Why is not this uncertainty yet removed? So long as this apprehension remains, I, too, cannot afford to disband my army and my realm cannot be cultivated. The districts on the [western] bank of the Ganges have been devastated and not a kauri is being yielded by them. If some five Rupees are realised from this side [of the river], it is spent on my troops. Whence is the revenue coming and from what source can I send it? In this state of things, if Raghuji or his army does not make any incursion this year, then at the end of the year my militia will be sent back to their homes, and whatever revenue is left [after discharging* their dues] I shall send to His Majesty's Court.''