Bhonsla's change of attitude, decided that the northern theatre of war was more important than the southern, and had therefore, as we have seen, directed Sir T. Hislop to continue his march into Málwá and not to allow his attention to be diverted from that quarter. The events just recorded in Gwalior caused the immediate return of the Central Division to the Sind river, enfeebled though the troops were by sickness; at the same time a brigade, previously detached to keep up communications with Marshall's Division, was ordered to cross the river and to intercept the Pindárís, while the force near the Chambal was directed to hold the fords at Dholpur.
On the 10th December the Central Division reached the Sind at a point twenty-eight miles from Gwalior and nearer than Sindhia to the passes, already mentioned, which afforded a communication between that capital and the south. This manœuvre, very similar to the one adopted a month before, had precisely the same effect; for it isolated Daulat Ráo, destroyed his freedom of action, and held him to his engagements. But more than this, it effectually intercepted the Pindárís in their flight northwards, who found themselves hemmed in and in doubt which way to turn and effect their escape. In this predicament they turned to the west, in the hope of forcing a passage through the territories of the Rájá of Kotah; but the latter, resisting the invasion, delayed their movements, so that Marshall's division was able to attack and disperse some of their bands. General Donkin also, who had
