'History of the Province of Gohud' [‎21v] (42/72)

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have availed himself in a proper manner of the favourable
conjuncture presented to his ambition by the then dis
turbed state of the Mogul Government. Scindiah naturally-
ascribed the conduct of the British Government in thus
tacitly permitting the destruction of its ancient ally to fear
of himself, and became arrogant and menacing in his conduct
towards them.
Mahdajee Scindiah died in February 1794, and was suc
ceeded by his adopted son and grand-nephew, Dowlut Rao
Scindiah. This chief evinced from the commencement of his
career the most determined enmity to the British Government,
and entered into a hostile confederacy, for the subversion of
their power, with Holkar and the Rajah of Berar. The
Governor-General, Lord Wellesley, on learning of this coali
tion, determined to attack the allies on both sides of India.
He accordingly directed his brother, General Wellesley, sub
sequently the Duke of Wellington, to advance into the
Deccan to attack Scindiah and Holkar's main body, and he
instructed Lord Lake to attack Scindiah's battalions in
Hindostan, under the command of General Perron. With
the view of more effectually opposing the designs of Scin
diah in North-Western India, Lord Wellesley determined to
secure the co-operation against the Mahrattas of the Jat and
Rajpoot Princes of Hindostan. With this view he contracted
Treaties with Jeypore and Jodhpore, and also with the
Maha Rana of Gohud. The Commander-in-Chief, Lord
Lake, was instructed to conclude an engagement with that
chief, and advance the necessary funds to enable him to raise
troops to aid the British forces in attacking Scindiah's forces.
The Maha Rana, with that zeal and courage which had
formerly distinguished his conduct, collected without delay a
very effective body of troops, and "was actively and success
fully employed during the whole course of the war in oppos
ing the troops of Scindiah, and in performing the duties of a
faithful ally of the British Government."* By the capture of
*Gov.-Gen, to See, Coun, in London, 24th March 1804.