ABSTRACT
Lord Wellesley thought Mahadaji Sindhia's explicit adherence to the Treaty of Bassein essential, and pressed on him repeated invitations 'to partake the benefits of the defensive alliance'. The Peshwa's reinstatement was immediately undertaken by Arthur Wellesley, now a Major-General. He had no enthusiasm for his protege and was under no illusions as to the probable upshot of the Treaty of Bassein. Only Sindhia's and the Bhonsla Raja's formal adherence to the Treaty of Bassein were considered important by the Governor-General. The Directors had outraged him by peremptory orders to reduce his military forces, by interference in patronage and personal matters, by a want of confidence generally. The Secret Committee of the Honourable Court of Directors were informed also that Yeswant Rao Holkar's power 'possessed no solid foundation in the justice of his cause, in popular opinion or in the extent of political or military resource'.
