Meanwhile Wazír Muhammad had derived no small benefit from these arrangements; he was considered to be under the protection of Calcutta, and interference on his behalf was sufficient to guarantee him from further molestation; but the danger being past, he cooled down in his desire to establish definite relations with the Supreme Government, and the latter, perceiving that events in Central India now took a less acute form, while British arms were again in the ascendent in Nepál, countermanded the military arrangements which had been made and dropped the negotiations with Bhopál.
The scene now changes to Poona, where Bájí Ráo reigned, who was reputed to be a crafty intriguer of unscrupulous character but without much personal bravery. The treaty of Bassein had placed him in a position of dependence, but it also lent him the aid of British bayonets in supporting his rights against his feudatories, and thus he had the means of enforcing claims which otherwise he was powerless to assert. He had rights over other states, notably those of a financial nature over the Gáekwár of Baroda, the origin of which need not be explained here. The Supreme Government, anxious to adjust them on an equitable basis, suggested that the latter's minister, Gangadhar Shástrí, — a firm upholder of British influence, — should go to Poona for this purpose; and this he did in June, 1814, having first obtained a guarantee from Calcutta for his personal safety. The Peshwá, intent on forming a strong anti-British com-
