Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s6.16

v1.c9.s6.16

The treaty made by Alivardi with the Marāthas and his payment of *chauth* for Bengal, though it did not bring perfect or immediate peace to Bengal and Bihār, achieved one happy result. It changed the character of the Bargi raids. These were no longer organised invasions decreed by their State, supported by all its resources, and led by its recognised chiefs. Henceforth they were mere predatory incursions by bands of unruly soldiers or some local officer eager for gain on their private account, whose act the Marātha Government disavowed but was not strong enough to prevent or punish. And not only were these raids in future fewer, but their range also was limited to the south-western fringe area of Bengal, namely the country west of Medinipur and south of Bardwān, which as late as 1775 was still marked "Impenetrable" in Rennell's survey map. Considerable harm, however, could be done even by such bands of Marātha soldiers gone out of control and acting as marauders. Warren Hastings* makes this clear.