Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c55.s12.1

v4.c55.s12.1

Next month he was out again, levying contribution on Jind, and in early June made his way to the Ghaghar in order to raid Patiālā territory beyond that river. But now a mightier opponent appeared on the scene. General Perron, whom Daulat Rao Sindhiā had made his supreme commander in North India, was now eager to consolidate his power by crushing out all his rivals, of whom Thomas was the last. Bhāg Singh of Jind bought the support of Perron (June) and that French General promised subsidies to other Sikh sardars for a coalition against their common enemy George Thomas. Thus the Irish adventurer had to abandon his vaunted plan for annexing the Panjab, leave Kāithal, and return to Hānsi (early in July 1801.) A compromise between Perron and Thomas was attempted by mutual friends, and the two met together at Bahādurgarh on 19th August; but the attempt failed, as Perron was obdurate in his Anglo-phobia and the Irish adventurer was equally bitter towards all Frenchmen.