MAHADAJEE SCINDIA. 
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mosque had supplanted the still more stately pagoda. 
No one was so instrumental in effecting this change 
in the political aspect of Hindostan as Mahadajee 
Scindia; whose name will ever stand conspicuously 
prominent in the annals of modern India. 
Perhaps the most extraordinary proof of Scindia’ s 
high character among the reigning powers of India; 
not only as a warrior but also as a statesman and 
pacificator; will be found in the success of his endea- 
vours to conclude a peace with Hyder Ali and the 
confederate Mahratta chiefs; then at war with the 
Company’s government. The Mahrattas were the 
only native power from whom the enterprising Prince 
of Mysore had received any thing like a formidable 
check; and his hostility was naturally in proportion 
to the impediments which they had thrown in his 
way to conquest ; nevertheless; the influence of Ma- 
hadajee was felt and admitted by this rude; unpolished 
warrior. 
In that memorable treaty by which Scindia was 
recognised by the British Government as an independ- 
ent prince; the extraordinary weight of his influence 
was strikingly evidenced. He became the mutual 
guarantee between the British Government and the 
Mahratta confederacy; and in case either party violated 
the contract; he engaged to join the aggrieved against 
the aggressors until its conditions should be fulfilled. 
About the year 1782 the Maharaja'"' introduced 
into his army that system of European discipline 
which rendered it so formidable to the native powers. 
He had in his service a number of French officers; 
* Scindia was so called ; the name signifies the great Raja. 
