200 PIXDAREE WAR. 



among his chiefs, and by the general disposition of all the 

 Mahratta leaders to unite in a confederacy against that 

 people. 



For a considerable time he threw an impenetrable veil 

 over his hostile designs. On intimation being given of an 

 intention to go to war with the Pindarees, he professed 

 his cordial concurrence in the object, and his desire to co- 

 operate by all the means in his power. So great indeed 

 was his address, that Sir John Malcolm, an intelligent and 

 veteran politician, after living at his court several days, 

 was completely deceived, and communicated his opinion 

 that nothing hostile was to be apprehended from the 

 pcishwa. Mr. Elphinstone, the official resident, enter- 

 tained from the first an opposite opinion, which was soon 

 fully confirmed. He saw that the utmost activity was 

 employed in collecting troops, under the pretext of aiding 

 in the Pindaree war, but in fact with a purpose directly 

 opposite. At the same time the jaghiredars, who had 

 been studiously depressed and humbled, were courted and 

 conciliated ; while Bapoo Gokla, an officer of distinguished 

 ability, who had hitherto been kept in a species of disgrace, 

 was invested with the supreme direction of affairs. A 

 numerous camp was formed close to the British canton- 

 ments, around which the Mahratta horsemen were seen 

 riding in menacing attitudes. The brigade commanded by- 

 Colonel Burr, the "amount of which had been fixed with a 

 very undue confidence in the friendly disposition of the 

 prince, did not exceed three sepoy battalions, with a Euro- 

 pean regiment not yet arrived from Bombay. As the 

 hostile intentions of the court became more and more 

 manifest, it was judged advisable to withdraw the troops 

 into a strong defensive position formed near the city by an 

 angle of the river Moola ; but Mr. Elphinstone, anxious to 

 avoid any semblance of being the aggressor, resolved not 

 to quit the residency till He should be driven away by force. 

 Threatening notes began to be exchanged ; and on the 5th 

 November, 1817, 60 sudden an attack was made that tho 

 resident and his suite had scarcely time to mount their 

 horses when his mansion was plundered, and all the 

 property, including books and papers, was either carried 

 off or destroyed. 



General Smith, though placed in the rear of the grand 



