Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c47.s3.12

v4.c47.s3.12

The most pressing need was to ensure the collection of land-revenue and baronial tribute in a land ravaged by civil war, and thus provide the cost of the administration and the contribution promised to the Marātha Government. At first a division of Sindhia’s army under Ambāji Inglé was sent against Chitor, but this general wrote to say that unless Mahādji went there nothing would be collected. So, at the end of June 1791, Mahādji entered Mewār and halted near Devgarh, 35 miles north of Nāthdwārā, the friendly chieftain of which place (Gokuldās) had gone with Zālim Singh to Pushkar to invite him. To the demand for tribute the Chundā-ot chief then holding Chitor replied, “I have only powder and shot. What money could be had in this district you have already collected. Be good enough now to go back by the way you came. How can I pay when I have no money left?” (MD. ii. 221.)