Some 30 years ago, there was a debate in India around “Foreign origin” of Sonia Gandhi and whether this should bar her from public office and electoral politics. The debate settled in Sonia’s favor.”

High treason it was, but ascribing it to foreign origin is misplaced. There are enough indigenous examples of treachery in Indian history. Even Maratha history is replete with political infighting and internecine warfare that the Nizam of Hyderabad and the EIC exploited.

A very interesting blog that shed light on the superior leadership of Nadir Shah was dragged down by the last few paragraphs.

very true. Some Handwos were quite quick to turn into Haleems in the face of mighty Kebabs who tempted them with financial rewards

“Elites have their own agenda which does not necessarily encompass concern for their countrymen.”

We have this in the West also where the native elite rarely act in the best interests of their own group and instead view themselves more along class lines rather than ethnic/religious ones. In America you have all these “secret societies” like the Skull and Crossbones or Bohemian Grove, they basically serve as a totem pole around which the Western elites can rally around.
At the end of the day, people are selfish and look after their own skin and that of their immediate family, true patriots are fairly hard to find amongst the more successful individuals.

The point about non-natives lacking patriotism is noted but did this even exist in India before nationalism and the desire for independence became a political force in the 20th century? There was no shortage of high-ranking native Hindu Indians who were happy to serve as generals and administrators for the Mughals and marry off their daughters to them. Even arch-Muslim Aurangzeb boosted Hindu Rajput participation in the government to unprecedented levels. Elites have their own agenda which does not necessarily encompass concern for their countrymen.

that’s a truly remarkable battle. the odds

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yeghev%C4%81rd
Nader was just too good.

The Marathas need not “help out” considering this were not their lands which was being invaded. Communities who cant help themselves should be left to their fate . The folks whose own lands were being invaded coolly stood by the side.

The Marathas helped later in Punjab and tried to liberate Bengal. In both the regions u know as much as i do what’s the reputation of Marathas. Surely the same would have happened in this case as well. First “help out” and then be branded invaders of your own lands.

yes. Marathas didn’t have the numbers as well on there own. But things don’t necessarily work on the sheer basis of numbers or weaponry. The Khilji raid on South (esp Devgiri) being examples. Sometimes even if armies r reasonably matched the raid of Delhi could’ve been avoided with compromise. A lot of treaties are testimony to that.

I meant in the assistance of Mughals. as there was already a deal between Marathas and Mughals (with Nizam)

Maratha artillery was outdated and Bajirao too would have been routed by a clearly superior general. More importantly people like the Nawab would have had another reason to justify their betrayal of Mughals and Delhi.

Bajirao’s advisors and his sovereign lord gave good advice.