Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c53.s3.3

v4.c53.s3.3

out education, and so prone to self-indulgence that he soon became infected by the painful disease with which nature punishes promiscuous sensuality. To his lack of the power of choosing worthy servants, he added an obstinate persistence in one course and the truly oriental habit of letting matters drift without coming to any decision. For the first few years he was saved from the influence of wicked favourites by his reliance on the ladies of the house, —Mahādji's widows—Bhāgirathi Bāi, Yamunā Bāi, and Lakshmi Bāi (*neé* Kadam), and above all Kesari Bāi, a morganatic wife of the late Sindhiā remarkable for her intelligence and good sense. They constantly urged him to keep to the right path and conduct himself in a manner worthy of his ancestry.* It was only in 1798 when Daulat Rao discarded these well-wishers under the wicked advice of Sharzā Rao Ghātgé, that a breach began in his fortunes.