Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s27.7

v2.c27.s27.7

The moral effect of the disaster of Pānipat was even greater. The Maratha failure to oppose the foreign invader in 1757 and even more, with the Bhāu's vast resources in 1760-61, convinced the Indian world that Maratha friendship was a very weak reed to lean upon in any real danger. No North-Indian potentate would risk sure annihilation by siding with the Marathas in their day of difficulty, or even while the issue of their contest with the foreigner was trembling in the balance. Maratha protection was not worth purchasing by the least sacrifice, because the Marathas had clearly demonstrated in the last four years that they could not protect their dependents, any more than they had been able to protect their own selves in 1761.