DDK HistoryF.p65 - CSIR

400 CRACKS IN THE MILITARY SYSTEM [10.7
experts was the rule. Yet it was the method whereby Dumouriez and
Keller-mann minced the serried counter-revolutionary armies at Valmy.
It took Goethe to realise that a MW period of world history had been
opened by the cannonade. This was naturally not for the Marathas,
whose armies had overrun India by cause of their
matchless mobility, which was sacrificed to feudal prestige at Panipat.
The Maratha heavy artillery was far too clumsy for handling in the field,
and as great hindrance as the womenfolk. The proposal that both be left
safely in some fort on the way was taken (like every other reasonable
suggestion) as a personal insult and treason by the Peshwa’s commander
Sadashiv Rao Bhaii, who combined feudal and brahmin stupidity with a
short temper that drove away valuable allies. He left the crossing
of the Jumna by the Afghans unopposed because he could not choose to
believe reports that a crossing was being attempted by the adroit Durrani.
The supplies failed simply because the Pendhari loot-foragers were under
the command of a trusty brahmin Govind Pant Bundelay, who had
never seen any reason for keeping guard. He and his Pendhari
captains were cut to pieces during the noonday siesta by a handful
of Afghan scouts after which supplies,for the MarStha army failed
completely. Yet after the disaster at Panipat, the Marathas recovered
strength and morale enough to catch the British in an impossible
position at Talegao, and defeat them at the beginning of 1779. The
entire British contingent was allowed to go after a capitulation at
Vadgao, promptly dishonoured by the East India Company. Yet- the
cracks in the Indian’military system were visible even then. At Talegao,
Mahadji Scindia held the Chief command, but another
division-was under a brahmin trusted by Nana Fadanavis, with the
function, not of supporting Mahadji but keeping watch on the-large
Holkar contingent, suspected of willingness to go over to the other side.
Moreover, though Nana’s espionage system was perfect, and he knew
of every British plan as soon as it was prepared, the steep Deccan.
passes were left undefended, and forced with the
utmost ease. Any defence would have made the Bhor ghat pass
impregnable; the battle need never have reached Talegao at all! The
lesson was never learned, and the British forced Bhor Ghat pass three