Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c53.s3.10

v4.c53.s3.10

But the Durrāni menace, as usual, blew over, and in February next (1798) we find a reign of terror for extortion and personal vengeance let loose on Punā by Sharzā Rao Ghātgé, who was now supreme in Daulat Rao’s Court by reason of the marriage of his daughter Baizā Bāi to that prince (on 25th February). At the instance of his evil genius, Sindhiā wrote to Lakhwā and Ambāji to attend him at Punā in person, really to squeeze out of them the millions they were supposed to have amassed during their viceroyalty in Hindustan. Lakhwā evaded compliance on the plea that the current hostilities with the Sikhs and the Jaipur Raja did not permit him to leave his province.