Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s1.15

v2.c28.s1.15

In short, Abdali’s sole interest in India was to get his tribute punctually year after year, without having to send an Afghan army for its collection. It was, therefore, necessary for him that the *status quo* should be maintained in Hindustan, the Ruhelas secured from molestation, and the Marathas induced to come to terms with the Durrani and Shah Alam and not to disturb the Delhi administration and cut off its revenue resources as they had done by their invasions in the past. Such a live and let live policy was the most sensible and business-like plan at the time, if only the Peshwa could be induced to let bygones be bygone and to curb his ambition within the bounds of what was realizable. The Maratha failure to do this shows that they had not a single statesman among them and that by trying to grasp all they were destined to lose all in the end.