The Maráthás in 1800.—The Maráthás had been the
nominal allies of the English in both their wars with Tipú.
But they had not rendered active assistance, nor were they
secured to the English side as the Nizám had been. The
Maratha powers at this time were five in number. The
recognized head of the confederacy was the Peshwá of Poona,
who ruled the hill country of the Western Gháts, the cradle
of the Maráthá race. The fertile Province of Gujarát was
annually harried by the horsemen of the Gáekwár of Baroda.
In Central India, two military leaders, Sindhia of Gwalior and
Holkar of Indore, alternately held the pre-eminence. Towards
the east, the Bhonsla Rájá of Nágpur reigned from Berar to
the coast of Orissa. Wellesley laboured to bring these several
Maratha powers within the net of his subsidiary system. In
1802, the necessities of the Peshwá, who had been defeated
by Holkar, and driven as a fugitive into British territory,
induced him to sign the treaty of Bassein. By that he pledged
himself to the British to hold communications with no other
power, European or Native, and granted to us Districts for
the maintenance of a subsidiary force. This greatly extended
the English territorial influence in the Bombay Presidency.
But it led to the second Maratha war, as neither Sindhia nor
the Rájá of Nagpur would tolerate the Peshwá's betrayal of
the Maratha independence.
Second Maratha War, 1802-1804.—The campaigns which followed are perhaps the most glorious in the history of the British arms in India. The general plan, and the adequate provision of resources, were due to the Marquess Wellesley, as also the indomitable spirit which refused to admit of defeat. The armies were led by Sir Arthur Wellesley (afterwards Duke of Wellington) and General (afterwards Lord) Lake. Wellesley operated in the Deccan, where, in a few short months, he won the decisive victories of Assaye and Argium, and captured Ahmadnagar. Lake's campaign in Hindustan was equally brilliant, although it has received less notice from historians. He won pitched battles at Alígarh and Laswári, and took the cities of Delhi and Agra. He scattered the French troops of Sindhia, and at the same time stood forward
