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276 Dowlut Rao Scindia. On the 25th of October, 1802, matters were brought to issue between them, Holkar having encamped within a short distance of Poonah, Scindia and the Peishwa united their forces to oppose him, and there ensued one of the most obstinate battles recorded in the annals of Indian warfare, the result of which was that Holkar gained a complete and decisive victory over his opponents.

This at once threw the Peishwa into the arms of the British, a fact which he intimated from Singurh, to which place he had fled from the field of battle. Having been invited to repair to the coast, where arrangements could be conducted with security, he went to Bassein, where he was met by Colonel Close; and at that place, on the 31st of December, 1802, was signed the celebrated treaty by which the alliance was settled on a more extended basis. The Company not only engaged to furnish 6,000 men, for the support of whom was assigned a territory yielding twenty-six lacs of rupees; they engaged, moreover, to bring forward all the force they could command, and which might be necessary to re-establish the Peishwa in his full rights as head of the Mahratta confederacy.

Scindia, who after his defeat had retired to Burhampoor, where he had re-assembled a considerable force, was invited to accede to the treaty of Bassein, and to share its advantages; but he evaded compliance under pretence of requiring some explanations on the subject from the Peishwa; he afterwards declined acceding, but declared he would do nothing to obstruct its execution. Alarm was naturally excited by his continuing posted at Burhampoor, which could apparently have no other object than that of regaining his ascendancy at Poonah; wherefore Colonel Collins, who was stationed as Resident in his camp, again pressed upon him the acceptance of the treaty, which he again evaded, at the same time making friendly professions, and urging that his present position was necessary to watch and keep in check the movements of Holkar. The fact was, however, that both Scindia