Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s10.8

v2.c27.s10.8

At the same time the blind obstinacy of the Marathas made a war to the death inevitable for them. When, on 16th May, the month of Muslim fasting ended, Hāfiz Rahmat came from Abdali to open peace talks with Malhar Holkar. At Mathurā he was met by Gangādhar Yashwant ( Holkar’s diwān ) and Suraj Mal, as the intermediaries from this side. They conducted him to Bharatpur, but nothing came of his efforts, as the Maratha demands were exorbitant* and they were only waiting for the vast reinforcements under the Bhāu to reach them, when they would be able to crush Abdālī and thus keep possession of everything they had ever gained in Northern India. So, they deliberately spun the negotiations and at last on the arrival of the Bhāu (middle of June) sent the baffled peace-maker back to his master.