Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c47.s2.20

v4.c47.s2.20

The immediate effect of the annihilating defeat at Mertā (10th Sept. 1790) was to throw the Rajah and people of Jodhpur into despair and alarm. Envoys were at once sent to Mahādji’s generals offering to pay the arrears of subsidy and to restore Ajmer fort, provided that they did not penetrate further into Mārwār territory. But Sindhia’s power was soon afterwards paralysed by the open defection of Tukoji Holkar’s contingent and that of the Punā Government’s direct agent Ali Bahādur from Sindhia’s side. Mirzā Ismail Beg, whose contingent had escaped destruction by reason of its absence from Mertā, was now welcomed and equipped by the Jodhpur Government, which thus regained heart and evaded payment. (*Chandrachur*, ii. 82. *DY*. S. 47.)