Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s27.10

v2.c27.s27.10

The Peshwā’s health began to show an alarming decline towards the close of the year of his greatest triumphs in the North and the South,—his victory over the Nizam and his capture of the imperial capital. Unsuspected by doctors, the hand of death was already upon him. A wasting disease was sapping his strength, and this, coupled with the increasing worries of public business, quarrels within his family circle, and above all the bankruptcy of his Government, made him extremely irritable. Some attempt was made to divert him with dance and song, for which handsome slave-girls were imported from Delhi, and even by marrying him to a new young wife on 27th December at Paithān. He now planned to march to Northern India, taking Nizām Ali with him, in order to make a combined effort of all the loyal country Powers for expelling the alien usurper of the Padishah’s realm. On 9th January 1761, Raghunāth Dādā and Sakhārām Bāpu were deputed to induce Nizām Ali to come. The embassy failed, and the Peshwā had to continue his northward march alone.