477 
the cruel policy of Asiatic despots to destroy every male relation 
capable of creating an insurrection, especially in the Mogul, 
Turkish, and Persian courts. The history of the house of Timur is 
filled with tales of woe: there seemed no alternative between the 
musnud and a grave; it was only to be ascended through a deluge 
of blood: no predilection for private pursuits, nor choice of reli- 
gious retirement, could screen the royal princes from suspicion. 
The fate of Aurungzebe’s brothers, and their descendants, is almost 
too tragical for recital: but the murder of Narrain Row had been 
committed on a Hindoo prince of the sacred caste of brahmins, 
every where most highly venerated. 
It appeal's extraordinary, as Ragobah was so generally consi- 
dered to be the author of his nephew’s assassination, that he 
should have been quietly permitted to succeed him: it is difficult 
to determine whether it was occasioned by the general disaffection 
to the deceased peshwa, or that the leading men then thought the 
revolution necessary: it is certain, Ragobah assumed the govern- 
ment in course, and for some months ruled the empire with all the 
power of his predecessors, and remained undisturbed at Poonah. 
Still there were many obstacles to surmount: had he perserved the 
bravery, activity, and generosity, which had formerly distinguished 
him, he might have triumphed over all; but his conduct was un- 
accountably the reverse: he became timid, indolent, and suspi- 
cious; his understanding seemed clouded by superstition, and his 
mind weakened, either by the severities he had lately suffered, or 
the distractions of a wounded conscience. 
The first act of his government was to reward Sobal Sing and 
