Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c52.s2.4

v4.c52.s2.4

The fact is, no one in Punā could realise how years of anarchy, war and famine had desolated the central part of the Delhi empire ; large areas had lapsed into jungle, the population had been thinned, cultivation had shrunk, and the actual revenue collection had fallen to a tenth of the normal demand or even less. No money aid was given by the Punā Government to Mahādji in his sorest need, but he was allowed, after the Lālsot disaster, to raise loans from the local bankers on his own account, under Nānā Fadnis's guarantee. These he scrupulously repaid in a few years.†