Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c47.s4.5

v4.c47.s4.5

The Sālumbar Rāwat could not hold out longer; his antipathy to Zālim Singh delayed his surrender; but the old royal garrison in the fort offered to seize and deliver him along with Chitor to Sindhia, if their land-grants were continued and they were paid a bounty of half a lakh. On hearing of it the Rāwat expelled them from the fort. The Mahārānā was inexorable in his anger against this rebel; but Mahādji's hands were forced by the famine and his need of money to pay his starving soldiers. So, through the mediation of the practical and moderate Rānākhān Bhāi, terms were settled, and at last on 17th November Chitor was vacated; the Mahārānā's flag was again unfurled over his ancestors' capital and a garrison of five hundred Marātha soldiers put in under a civil officer of the Mahārānā. The Rāwat's rebellion had cost Sindhia an army expenditure of 10½ lakhs of rupees besides two lakhs in powder and shot. The rebel promised to pay an indemnity of 12 lakhs and was treated with kindness and honour; Sindhia personally presented him to the Mahārānā and secured pardon for his late rebellion. (DY. ii. 39, 41, 45, S. 50 M.D. ii. 229.)