166 MAHRATTA WAR. 



paign against Holkar, considered it necessary, not merely 

 to reduce and limit, but altogether to extirpate a power 

 whose existence seemed incompatible with the repose and 

 security of all the other states. To display, however, the dis- 

 interested views of Britain, it was determined not to retain 

 for her any part of the conquered territory, but to distribute 

 it among those chiefs who adhered even formally to her 

 alliance. Sindia was to receive the largest share, provided 

 he gave cordial aid in overthrowing the pretensions of his 

 rival. 



Holkar, however, was by no means a contemptible 

 enemy. His cavalry, swelled by the wreck of the other de- 

 feated armies and by numerous adventurers, amounted to 

 60,000, to which were added 15,000 well disciplined in- 

 fantry and 192 pieces of artillery. General Wellesley was 

 unable to advance, in consequence of a famine which pre- 

 vailed in the Deccan; and Lake, after reducing the fort of 

 Rampoora, left Colonel Monson, with five battalions and 3000 

 horsemen, to watch the enemy's movements. The prudence 

 of this arrangement may be questioned. Holkar, who was a 

 second Hyder for desultory warfare, succeeded in bringing 

 his whole force to act against this single detachment ; yet 

 it has been supposed, that had Monson promptly led his 

 men to the charge, he might have encountered with suc- 

 cess this large undisciplined host. He resolved, on the 

 contrary, upon retreat, a movement always disastrous before 

 Mahratta forces, which of all others are the most rapid and 

 vindictive pursuers. Every thing combined to render his 

 march unfortunate ; the swelling of the rivers, the inun- 

 dated and swampy plains, the scarcity of provisions, the 

 desertion or hostility of the native troops, among whom 

 was a strong party belonging to Sindia. These last, in 

 the hour of distress, turned their arms against the British, 

 whom they had undertaken to assist. The detachment, 

 indeed, did not forfeit their honour, having triumphantly 

 repulsed every attack ; but they lost all their artillery and 

 baggage ; many of the sick, the exhausted, and the wounded 

 were left behind and cut to pieces ; and when, on the 31at 

 August, 1804, they reached Agra, most of the regiments 

 were in a state of total disorganization. 



Holkar advanced upon Muttra and took possession of it. 

 But General Lake now hastened with the utmost expedi- 



