Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s10.38

v2.c27.s10.38

Sadāshiv Rao's capture of Delhi forms a turning-point in his career. Its immediate effect was to restore the prestige of Maratha arms which had been ruined by the fall of Dattāji and the rout of Malhar early in this year. Abdālī's partisans were now dismayed and began to waver, and even to intrigue in secret with the Bhāu. The Shāh himself passed through a period of anxiety and avowed his readiness to return to his own country if only an honourable peace could be made with the Marathas and the Ruhelas could be assured of safety from Maratha aggression during his absence. This far-resounding success, secured with the loss of less than a score of men and after only a week of exertion, blinded the Bhāu to the realities of the situation. He regarded Shujā's proposal of peace as a proof of the hopeless weakness of Abdālī's cause. As he wrote to Govind Ballāl on the day of his entry into Delhi (3rd August), "Ahmad Bangash and some Ruhelas are going away [from Abdālī's camp] to their homes. Shujā now realizes what to expect from his having joined Abdālī!