Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c44.s2.14

v4.c44.s2.14

The immediate effect of this incident was to ruin Mahādji's prestige in Hindustan. Ali Bahādur had come to the North as the Peshwā's representative, but up to now he had appeared to the public as a mere child under the guardianship of Sindhia, because he had no money, no strong force or position of authority, and every one used to look up to Sindhia alone. But now their relative position was reversed: "by this injudicious effort of Sindhia the superiority of Ali Bahādur, which was regarded as merely nominal, has been proved to be real and substantial”, as Resident Palmer was quick to notice. Sindhia was clearly shown to be a mere servant and Ali Bahādur, by virtue of his position as their common master’s Vicar-General on the spot, his superior. [PRC. i. 251-252.]