Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v3.c42.s2.t1.133

v3.c42.s2.t1.133

Though by nature irascible, impetuous, and proud, he could bend to the extreme of submission. But while he would, by letter or conversation, say to a marauding Pindari or Pathan, " let me petition to your notice," or " if my clodpole understanding (bhumia buddh) is worth consulting "; or reply to a demand for a contribution, coupled with a threat of inroad, " that the friendly epistle had been received; that he lamented the writer's distresses, etc. etc," with a few thousand more than was demanded, and a present to the messenger, he would excite a feeling which at least obtained a respite; on the other hand, he was always prepared to repel aggression, and if a single action would have decided his quarrel, he would not have hesitated to engage any power in the circle. But he knew even success, in such a case, to be ruin, and the general [549] feature of his external policy was accordingly of a temporizing and very mixed nature. Situated as he was, amidst conflicting elements, he had frequently a double game to play. Thus, in the coalition of 1806-7, against Jodhpur, he had three parties to please, each requesting his aid, which made neutrality almost impossible. He sent envoys to all; and while appearing as the universal mediator, he gave assistance to none.