Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s7.7

v4.c56.s7.7

The whole course of Daulat Rao Sindhiā's actions leading up to the war with the English, was marked by folly, indecision and delay, as if mere deception and theatrical demonstration could decide the fate of nations. The futility of his policy was patent to all. The Kotā agent in his camp reported, "Daulat Rao at first alienated General Perron, now he is flattering him. He first destroys and then he has to humiliate himself (to undo the mischief). Such is the way in which he works," (7 March 1803.) And again, five days later, "Sindhiā and his ministers practise only deception and lying. People have lost all trust in them; they say one thing and do another. No sign of their reassuring any body's mind." On 23rd June this was the condition of their camp, "They have no strength to ascend the Ajanṭā pass, and have no money. Here horses and men are dying of hunger; many soldiers are going away. A campaign is ahead and (yet) the scarcity is great. We know not what God has ordained for us."*