Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s13.5

v4.c56.s13.5

Ambāji had rendered no satisfactory account of his revenue and tribute collection in Sindhia’s districts for many years. As his master was beset by the clamour of his unpaid soldiery and other creditors, Sindhia’s diwāns began to press Ambāji for payment. In August 1799 Sindhia demanded 147 lakhs as his due, and even ordered Perron to seize Ambāji’s person should it be necessary to enforce payment. As the pressure increased, Ambāji became eager to take refuge in Benares (24 June 1802). Thus it came about that when in July 1803, Marquess Wellesley and General Lake were maturing their plans for fomenting desertion among Daulat Rao’s generals, they had good reason for hoping that in view of “the ill terms Ambāji and his brother are on with Sindhia and his Minister (Jādo Bhāskar), if left unmolested, they would remain quiet, and as they formerly wished to form an alliance with the English to guard themselves from the grasping ambition of Sindhia, they might be brought over to our interest.” (PRC. viii. 163. ix. 64. MM. iii. 192.)