356 



vered as hostages on that occasion." Those were the reasons 

 assigned by the Bengal government for making this valuable pre- 

 sent to Mhadajee Sindia. 



The inhabitants of Baroche, accustomed to the lenity of British 

 jurisdiction, execrated the approaching change, and dreaded the 

 arrival of Bascar Row, which had been delayed in consequence 

 of a mistaken renewal of hostilities on the Malabar coast; the 

 people of Baroche, in the mean time, indulged a vain hope that 

 the intended cession would not take place. No prayers, no cere- 

 monies, no sacrifices, were left unperformed by the different castes, 

 and religious professions, to implore the continuance of the British 

 government. It is with extreme satisfaction I recollect the un- 

 feigned sorrow which pervaded all ranks of society when the fatal 

 day was fixed for our departure. Baroche, before its conquest 

 by the English, had belonged to the Moguls, and was governed by 

 a Mahomedan nabob; the inhabitants well knew the difference 

 that awaited them. Of all oriental despots, the arbitrary power of 

 the Mahratta falls perhaps with the most oppressive weight; they 

 extort money by every kind of vexatious cruelty, without support- 

 ing commerce, agriculture, and the usual sources of wealth and 

 prosperity in well-governed states. The Mahomedans, although 

 equally fond of money, spend it with more liberality, encourage 

 useful and ornamental works, and patronize art and science. 



On the ninth of July 1783, the day appointed for the cession 

 of Baroche to Mhadajee Sindia, the chief and council received 

 his agent, Bascar Row, with proper ceremony in the durbar, and 

 theri delivered to him the keys of the city-gates. We immedi- 

 ately repaired to the water side, to cross the Nerbudda in our 



