Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c54.s1.11

v4.c54.s1.11

Soon afterwards he was hired by Anand Rao Pawār the Rajah of Dhār, in his war with the usurping minister of his deceased father. The rebel was ejected, but the Pawār defaulted in the payment of his promised subsidy. Being now planted in Mālwa, north of the Narmadā, Jaswant plundered Dipālpur and many other rich parganas of Sindhia. Success bred success. As Bhawāni Shankar narrates, “The report of Jaswant Rao’s liberality having spread far and near, flocks of people from all sides began to come and taste his bounty. Nawab Mir Khan, from the district of Bhopāl, sent to Bhawāni Shankar a letter begging to be taken into Jaswant Rao’s service.” Rs. 5,000 was sent to him to equip his force, and he joined Holkar’s camp at Shujāwalpur. Jaswant’s army was now raised to 2,000 horse and 5,000 foot. In need of money, he marched back to the Narmadā, looting the places on the way.