Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c21.s5.8

v2.c21.s5.8

The Peshwa’s instructions to his brother were to squeeze as much money as possible out of the Delhi Government,—75 lakhs or at least 50 lakhs. Imad on being appointed wazir (2 June 1754), was agreeable to paying 25 lakhs as the customary *nazar* for this high office. But Raghunath’s insensate greed overreached itself. After long discussions, through Malhar Holkar he fixed the Maratha dues at the impossible figure of 82 1/2 lakhs, out of which forty lakhs were promised to be paid down and the balance after some time. Both parts of the undertaking were impossible of realization in the then condition of the Delhi empire. By methods which will be described later, about nine lakhs were actually collected and paid to the Marathas at the end of September and bankers’ bills were given for 17 1/2 lakhs more, but the remaining 13 1/2 lakhs of the first moiety remained absolutely unsecured and without the least hope of its being provided in the near future.