MAHADAJEE SCINDIA. 
221 
On the death of Narraen Rao, Mahadajee became a 
member of the Mahratta regency, and had the princi- 
pal command against the British army in 1779, when 
it was compelled to assent to the convention at Wur- 
gaum. A separate negotiation was on this occasion 
opened with him. To him Ragoonath Rao surren- 
dered himself, and the English hostages, who had 
been conveyed to the Mahratta camp, were commit- 
ted to his care. In fact, he appears to have been 
looked upon both by the native powers and by the 
British Government as the great directing wheel in that 
political machine which had raised the Mahratta state 
to such a commanding elevation among the numerous 
principalities of the east. In consequence of his general 
humanity as a man — with some reservation, for he had 
his indomitable moments of sanguinary revenge — his 
power as a prince, his sagacity as a politician, his 
personal bravery and consummate skill as a com- 
mander, he was universally feared and respected. 
He brought his army from a mere tumultuary force 
into such a state of discipline as rendered it capable 
of disputing the field with British troops almost upon 
terms of equality, while none of the forces of na- 
tive princes were able to stand before him. When- 
ever he gained an accession of territory — and this he 
was constantly doing during the whole progress of 
his military career —he contrived to keep it as much 
by the wisdom of his government, as by the terror 
which the success of his arms naturally inspired. The 
Company had possessed themselves of a portion of his 
conquests, but this was restored by treaty in 1781; 
and perhaps no Indian prince has maintained, during 
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