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 CHAPTER VI

The Struggle, 1817. The Pindárí War. The Maráthá Powers rise in Revolt.

In order to carry out the great policy of reform which he contemplated in India, the Governor-General first proceeded by negotiation to enlist the co-operation of the native princes against the Pindárís and to prevent a combination in their favour; he neglected no ruler that could be useful to his design, and assumed the principle that in the coming struggle none could be neutral. He endeavoured therefore to improve relations with Poona and Nágpur, and approached Sindhia, Holkar, many chiefs in Central India and in Rájputána, and even Amír Khán, whom he hoped to conciliate and wean from his irregular and disorderly conduct. Subsidiary treaties were accordingly, in 1817, concluded with several states in the province of Málwá, and with Nasír Muhammad of Bhopál, who proved himself to be a staunch and faithful ally; in Rájputána also, the negotiations with Jagat Singh of Jaipur, which had been delayed, induced the Rájás of Udaipur and of Jodhpur and others to apply for protection, and towards the end of the year alliances were