152 MAHRATTA WAR. 



movements the two armies engaged near Indore, Holkar's 

 capital, when that chief was completely routed, with the loss 

 of ninety-eight pieces of cannon ; anil his power was sup- 

 posed to he so completely crushed, that Stadia very impru- 

 dently neglected any farther pursuit. No force is so easily 

 or so rapidly recruited as that of the Mahrattas. The 

 vanquished leader, having undertaken some inroads into the 

 surrounding territories, soon rallied round him all the bold 

 youths who delighted in plunder and adventure ; large 

 hands even from the ranks of his adversary, tired of an 

 inactive life, flocked to his camp. In short, he soon found 

 himself in a condition to march upon Poonah. Sindia and 

 the peishwa united their forces to oppose him ; and there 

 ensued in the vicinity of that city one of the most obstinate 

 battles recorded in the annals of Indian warfare. Holkar 

 fought with the utmost desperation, and led his men to 

 successive charges with such fury that the enemv were 

 completely broken, and fled in every direction. Colonel 

 Close, the British resident, while the engagement lasted, 

 hoisted his flag, which was respected by both parties ; and 

 next day he was asked to visit the victorious general. He 

 found him in his tent, ankle deep in mud, wounded both 

 with a spear and sabre. He received the colonel with the 

 utmost politeness, professed a cordial attachment to the 

 English, and expressed a wish that they would assist in 

 adjusting his differences with Sindia and the peishwa. This 

 last, however, whose courage failed entirely during the 

 engagement, had fled to Singurh, whence he intimated his 

 willingness to accede to the terms on which the British had 

 offered to support him in power. He hastened to the coast, 

 and embarked at Severndroog for Bassein, where he was 

 met by Colonel Close. On the 31st December, 1802, they 

 concluded a treaty, which may be considered as sealing the 

 fate of India. The peishwa agreed to receive and support 

 a subsidiary force sent by the company, while the latter 

 undertook to re-establish him as head of the Mahratta con- 

 federation. 



Expectations were now entertained that Sindia, who had 

 been so deeply committed against Holkar, and had suffered 

 so severely from his hostility, would concur in the treaty. 

 On the contrary, both he and Raghojee Bhonslay, who had 

 become Rajah of Berar, and was the only other very power- 



