The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c7.53

c7.53

But the Peshwas were not altogether blind to the possibility of the sons and grandsons of their loyal vassals growing weary of their allegiance. This they tried to prevent by playing on their mutual jealousy. Sindhia and Holkar were designed to be the two stout pillars of the Maratha empire in the north; but not infrequently they failed to agree with one another, and a day came when they became openly hostile and turned their arms against one another. The policy of the Poona Government was to effect a breach and to keep it open, not merely between two neighbouring chiefs but even between brothers of the same family. Thus they exploited the differences between Manaji and Sambhaji Angria, Govinda Rao and Fatte Sing Gaikwad, Sabaji and Mudhoji Bhonsla. But a military power based on suspicion and jealousy cannot last long;