Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s10.40

v2.c27.s10.40

Shujā and Najib continued throughout August and September to hold peace parleys with the Bhāu, but without success, as the Peshwa’s demands were impossible. The Bhāu continued to receive intelligence about the Abdālī camp of a kind most flattering to his vanity and tending to confirm him in the delusion that the Muslim league was broken up and that the invaders would be thankful for a retreat home with their bare lives. For example, on 29 August Govind Ballāl wrote, “At night a consultation was held by the Shāh; all his followers, high and low alike, advised him, ‘You ought not to stay in this country. The strength of the Marathas is increasing daily. Therefore, do not listen to anybody else’s [i. e., Najib’s] counsels, but make peace with the Marathas and go home.’” On 21st September was sent this report: “There is a tumult in Abdālī’s army. High and low, all urge him to come to terms with the Marathas and return home. Besides, he has no spirit for fighting left in him. At Anupshahar, ten thousand of his horses, camels and mules have died, and more are dying daily. Thank God! the Peshwā’s star is dominant.” [Raj. i. 236, 247-246.]