Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/140

 CHAPTER VII

The final overthrow of the Maráthá Powers 1818-19

The new year opened with bright prospects, for in the short space of the few weeks during which the campaign had lasted, no reverses had been experienced, and many advantages had been gained. The Pindárís, driven from their haunts in the valley of the Narbadá, sought a precarious refuge on the left bank of the Chambal, and were deprived of the assistance of their principal allies; for Holkar was defeated and Amír Khán disarmed; even Sindhia was powerless to help them, and his Sirdars could only afford them a feeble protection in the outlying province of Mewár. In the Deccan also, the formidable insurrections of the Peshwá and of the Bhonsla Rájá had been dealt with promptly; the former lost his capital and was a fugitive in his own dominions, while the latter was reduced to a position of mere nominal sovereignty in Nágpur.

The array of forces employed to achieve these results was imposing beyond all former precedent, but the duties to be fulfilled were proportionately onerous and important, and Lord Hastings, who left nothing