Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c53.s2.8

v4.c53.s2.8

But administrative disorder and vanished revenue were not the only drag on Lakhwā Dādā's activity. During the months immediately following his coming to power, the thoughts of all Marātha leaders were absorbed by the problem of forcing the Nizām to fulfil his treaty obligations. The decision of arms took place at Khardā on 11th March 1795, but before the terms of the treaty forced on the Nizām there were executed, came the catastrophe of the young Peshwā's death (27th Oct.), followed by an interregnum of 13 months when Mahārāshtra became a scene of hopeless intrigue and party strife, till the recognition of Bāji Rao II as Peshwā (5 Dec. 1796.) During this interval the Central power of the Marātha State was entirely paralysed and its recently humbled enemies recovered their old position. No military help could be expected by the viceroy of Hindustan from his master in Punā, and therefore he could take no strong action.