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108 having been made to Sindhia, in September, for authority to march troops across his territories from the Deccan into the valley of the Narbadá, the Mahárájá, pressed by his soldiery and relying upon the Peshwá, evaded the demand; he certainly pretended to be intent on the destruction of the Pindárís, and affected anxiety to co-operate by undertaking an expedition against them on his own account. But the Governor-General was in no humour to be thwarted by dissimulation, and, having full knowledge of his aggressive intentions, sent him a formal note of solemn remonstrance. This communication, containing a long catalogue of grievances, declared that they amounted to a dissolution of existing treaties under which alone Sindhia's independence was secured; it further demanded his cordial and unqualified support in the Pindárí war, and warned him that his failure to comply with the requisition would be regarded as an act of hostility. There was abundant proof to substantiate the assertions which had been made, and it was vigorously used to disarm this important native state in the coming struggle.

The court of Gwalior, unable to resist this pressure openly, was now obliged to consider the following conditions of an alliance which were offered. The article of the treaty of 1805, by which the Indian Government was debarred from having any relations with the principal chiefs in Málwá and in Rájputána, was to be abrogated; a contingent of 5000 horse was to be placed at the disposal of the Governor-General,