Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c52.s4.2

v4.c52.s4.2

At last the Marātha Government's patience was worn out, and they decided to use the only argument which the Court of Haidarabad ever understood. In January 1795 a vast Maratha army set out from Punā under Nānā Fadnis, the Peshwā, and Parashurām Bhāu Patwardhan. This was the last time that all the Marātha sardārs without any exception, gathered under the national banner in the field. After a short campaign, marked only by the cowardice and folly of Nizām Ali Khan, he was driven into the village of Khardā (11th March) and there forced to make a complete submission promising an indemnity of five krores (payable in three years) and a cession of territory worth 30 lakhs a year, and delivering his minister Mushir-ul-mulk into the hands of the Marāthas as a hostage.