Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s13.4

v4.c56.s13.4

And now, when in July 1801, Perron was appointed Sindhia’s subahdār of Delhi, with all the seven great forts of Hindustan in his hands, Ambāji bitterly resented “the disgraceful and dangerous situation in which the old ministers and principal sardārs of Mahādji have been reduced in consequence of the extraordinary powers vested in Perron—who does what he pleases in the government of the Mahārājā”. In October 1801, when Marquess Wellesley was on a visit to Fathgarh, Ambāji sent a secret agent to meet him with the request that the English chief would prevail on Daulat Rao to restore the old ministers of Sindhia to their former dignities by expelling “the faithless nation” (the French, *daghā-bāz.*) At this time Ambāji begged Resident Collins to grant him an asylum in the Company’s territories, “it being his unalterable resolution to relinquish all employ under Daulat Rao while Frenchmen continued in his service.” (*PRC.* ix. 31.)