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150 the stronghold of Asírgarh, where the Killadar was entirely at his service; but he quailed at the idea of a siege, and recognised that even there he would be by no means secure; accordingly he sent to Malcolm and offered to surrender if suitable terms were forthcoming. The latter had been Political Officer in the Deccan and was generally aware of the Governor-General's intentions regarding the Poona state, but his mission was over, and he was ignorant of the full details of the new arrangements. Believing, however, that it was supremely important to capture a prince who had so long eluded the efforts of the numerous troops employed against him, he took upon himself the responsibility of communicating with him, and of delaying the military operations by which he was to be surrounded. Negotiations began, and after a show of resistance, Bájí Ráo submitted and gave himself up, upon the assurance that he and his followers would be well treated, and that an annual pension of eight lakhs of rupees (£80,000) would be allotted for his personal support. From this moment this worthless ruler disappears from Indian history, and thenceforward he lived and died at Cawnpur, in captivity. He left no issue, but his heir was his adopted son, the infamous Náná Sáhib, whose evil career during the Indian Mutiny is well known, and requires no comment here.

Lord Hastings confirmed this capitulation in all its articles, but he signified his disapproval at its conclusion. His indignation had been justly aroused against Bájí Ráo, who 'had the villainy to send a secret offer