Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s3.1

v4.c56.s3.1

When Perron returned from Ujjain to Aligarh in May 1802, he was seemingly at the height of his power. But he had already received at Sindhia’s capital clear proof that he could expect neither consistency nor gratitude from such a master, and that every Maratha minister and noble was his jealous enemy. Within a month of his return he received from Daulat Rao Sindhia peremptory orders to give up all the *mahals* in his possession not appertaining to his *jāidād*. Such an order highly displeased the General and he immediately sent in his resignation to Sindha (early in June), saying, “If Daulat Rao so wished he might reduce the military establishment of his 44 battalions, which cost 50 lakhs annually, . . . and likewise assign a *jāidād* for the payment of the same to some other officer who might be deemed competent to the command.” But Daulat Rao was in no position to part with such an army chief at a time when he was sinking deeper and deeper into the quick sand of his war with Jaswant Rao Holkar. [PRC. ix. 64, 65.]