Historical Background - The much renowned historical family of Ingles is originally Solanki Thakurs and hailed from Bundi-Kota (Rajasthan).Bhaujirao,the ancestor of Raja Ambaji served under the Deshmukh of Shingnapur (near Phaltan Distt. Satara, Maharashtra) in the South.A sanad of the time of the Emperor Shah Alam, which styles his ancestor Raja Ambaji Bahadur Inglia, and shows that at a Darbar held by the Emperor Shah Alam a very high position was conferred on this family, and the management of several talukas entrusted to them.(The golden book of India ; a genealogical and biograhical dictionary of the ruling princes, chiefs, nobles, and other personages, titled or decorated, of the Indian empire, with an appendix for Ceylon by Roper Lethbridge)
Ambaji's father Trimbakji was a veteran soldier and came to North along with H.H Malharrao Holkar.Prior to it, Trimbakji had the privilege to be a faithful ally to the Peshwas.As a reward to his outstanding services,he was awarded sanad of Mahadunga ( a village in Maharashtra).Trimbakji Inglia was probably only Maratha Sardar, to fight with all his five sons,in the fierceful Third battle of Panipat against Ahmadsha Abdali.Though defeated ,Trimbakji and Ambuji displayed great valour in this battle.Ambuji, along with Rane Khan (Bhishti or a water carrier in Maratha army), saved the life of Mahadji Scindia and successfully registered himself in his good books for life.Trimbakji died at Sitawardi (Rajasthan).His chattri(Cenatoph) is still remains there in Mouje Sikrodabawdi.
Ambaji's father Trimbakji was a veteran soldier and came to North along with H.H Malharrao Holkar.Prior to it, Trimbakji had the privilege to be a faithful ally to the Peshwas.As a reward to his outstanding services,he was awarded sanad of Mahadunga ( a village in Maharashtra).Trimbakji Inglia was probably only Maratha Sardar, to fight with all his five sons,in the fierceful Third battle of Panipat against Ahmadsha Abdali.Though defeated ,Trimbakji and Ambuji displayed great valour in this battle.Ambuji, along with Rane Khan (Bhishti or a water carrier in Maratha army), saved the life of Mahadji Scindia and successfully registered himself in his good books for life.Trimbakji died at Sitawardi (Rajasthan).His chattri(Cenatoph) is still remains there in Mouje Sikrodabawdi.
After the death of Trimbakji, Raja Ambaji continued and enriched the legacy of his fater as the later events of Maratha History goes to show it.Ambaji Ingle was the most trusted chieftain of Mahadji Scindia.Ambaji Inglia was born in 1730.Unfortunately enough,first fifty years of Ambaji's life are not known to history. T.D.Broughton in his "Letters Written in a Maratha Camp" depicts Ambaji Inglia's personality as follows: (LETTER VII,p.48,Ibid)
"Ambajee is a tall, hale-looking man for his age, which is said to be upwards of eighty: his complexion is dark;and there is much humour and intelligence in his countenance.His dress was remarkably plain, almost amounting to meanness; consisting of a common chintz jacket, quilted with cotton , a coarse red shawl, and a white turban."
Broughton also describes impressive trait of Ambaji's character : "At this visit Ambajee displayed an instance of gratitudeand attention which pleased us all : when as he perceived Mr. M. sitting in the circle, who had cured him of a woundin his side, inflicted by himself about two years ago (in consequence of his having been thrown into confinement by Seendhiya), he got up, and went towards him, and 'cordially embraced him ; at the same time explaining to Surjee Rao who Mr. M. was, and how greatly he esteemed himself to be indebted to him"(Letter IX,CAMP AT DOONEE,March 15,1809.p.67,Ibid).
His military career starts when Mahadji appointed him Faujdar of the Twenty-eight mahals of Sonepat situated North of Delhi with the main object of protecting the capital from Sikhs who it was feared might swoop upon it in the absence of the Emperor then encamped at Agra.Ambaji ,as per the orders of his master, took possession of Delhi from its Governor Afrasib.Ambaji also played an important role in suppressing the revolts of pretty chiefs which might have otherwise caused Mahadji great anxiety.These pretty chiefs were those who were discontented with maratha rule and joined hand with the British.Among them were Balawantsingh and his son Jaysingh of Raghavgad (near Guna, M.P.).These two pretty chiefs raised the hands of revolt against Mahadji and Mahadji,again showing faith in his loyal and most able servent Ambaji, send him to suppress the voice of rebellion.Ambaji successfully crushed the rebellion, arrested the rebel leaders and confiscated their entire property.Ambaji kept Balawantsingh as a prisoner at the fort of Gwalior.
In February 1787 , Ambaji was entrusted with one more challenging task of chastising the Sikhs of Lahore and Panipat.Ambaji actively busied himself in the last week of March 1785, to effect a reconciliation with them and sought the mediation of Maharao Pratap Singh of Macheri to bring it to a successful conclusion. Pratap Singh, as we know, had already been in correspondence with the Sikhs and had invited them to join hands with Mahadji Sindhia for 'the expulsion of the Turks' and 'the conquest of new countries' from the Nawab Vizir of Oudh, the Mughul chiefs of Delhi and the rajas of Jaipur and Marwar. Rao Partap Singh and Ambaji marched northwards and held consultations with the Sikh Sardars at Bakhtawarpur, 13 miles north ofDelhi
Broughton also describes impressive trait of Ambaji's character : "At this visit Ambajee displayed an instance of gratitudeand attention which pleased us all : when as he perceived Mr. M. sitting in the circle, who had cured him of a woundin his side, inflicted by himself about two years ago (in consequence of his having been thrown into confinement by Seendhiya), he got up, and went towards him, and 'cordially embraced him ; at the same time explaining to Surjee Rao who Mr. M. was, and how greatly he esteemed himself to be indebted to him"(Letter IX,CAMP AT DOONEE,March 15,1809.p.67,Ibid).
His military career starts when Mahadji appointed him Faujdar of the Twenty-eight mahals of Sonepat situated North of Delhi with the main object of protecting the capital from Sikhs who it was feared might swoop upon it in the absence of the Emperor then encamped at Agra.Ambaji ,as per the orders of his master, took possession of Delhi from its Governor Afrasib.Ambaji also played an important role in suppressing the revolts of pretty chiefs which might have otherwise caused Mahadji great anxiety.These pretty chiefs were those who were discontented with maratha rule and joined hand with the British.Among them were Balawantsingh and his son Jaysingh of Raghavgad (near Guna, M.P.).These two pretty chiefs raised the hands of revolt against Mahadji and Mahadji,again showing faith in his loyal and most able servent Ambaji, send him to suppress the voice of rebellion.Ambaji successfully crushed the rebellion, arrested the rebel leaders and confiscated their entire property.Ambaji kept Balawantsingh as a prisoner at the fort of Gwalior.
In February 1787 , Ambaji was entrusted with one more challenging task of chastising the Sikhs of Lahore and Panipat.Ambaji actively busied himself in the last week of March 1785, to effect a reconciliation with them and sought the mediation of Maharao Pratap Singh of Macheri to bring it to a successful conclusion. Pratap Singh, as we know, had already been in correspondence with the Sikhs and had invited them to join hands with Mahadji Sindhia for 'the expulsion of the Turks' and 'the conquest of new countries' from the Nawab Vizir of Oudh, the Mughul chiefs of Delhi and the rajas of Jaipur and Marwar. Rao Partap Singh and Ambaji marched northwards and held consultations with the Sikh Sardars at Bakhtawarpur, 13 miles north of
Copy of the Treaty concluded between Raja Ambaji Ingle and the Chiefs of the Sikhs, 31 March 1785:
Ambaji stopped the Sikhs from collecting 'Rakhi'.He further stipulated that the Sikhs were to collect revenues jointly with Marathas and 2/3 of it was to be taken by the Maraths.
Ambaji's success in Rajasthan-Ambaji earned considerable fortune in Rajasthan and it was the states of Rajasthan where Raja Ambaji reached to the zenith of his military and administrative success.The Ravraja Alwar paid compliments to Ambaji and honoured him for his illustrious services to the state.Clothes of honour, one elephant, and Two horses were presented to Ambaji.Ambaji's illustrious military career and his rise to a subsidiary chief has much to with planes of Rajasthan.Zala Zalim Singh of Kota wielded great influence in the politics of Rajasthan.Raja Ambaji Inglia enjoyed cordial relations with Zala Zalim Singh as Ambaji's father Trimbakji had,on one occasion saved his life.In the battle of Sipra, Zalimsingh lay wounded and fell into the hands of Trimbakji Inglia as a prisoner.Trimbakji treated him with hospitality.It is to be noted that one of the wives of Zalim Singh sent 'Rakhi' to Raja Ambaji throuh Lalaji Ballal in 1789 which shows that he was his adopted brother.To secure the release of Zalim Singh Ambaji approached Mahadji through his wife who was the adopted sister of Mahadji and used to send 'Rakhi' to Mahadji.She was instructed by Ambaji to demand the release of Zalim Singh on some auspicious occasion and the opportunity came the same year.Zala Zalim Singh always had a sense of gratitude towards the house of Ingles.Ambaji Ingle governed Mewar as Scindia's representative exactly like and as agent to the Governer General in British India with full Civil and military powers.Ambaji's administration in Mewar for eight years from 1701 forms an important and integral part of his diplomatic and military life.There were two parties in Mewar.The Shekhawats and the Chudawats,who were rebels in Mewar.Ambaji successfully suppressed the rebels and recovered Rs. 13 lacs from the Chudawats and Rs. 8 Lacs from Shaktawats.The Rana of Mewar realised that his throne was secured due to Ambaji's military dominion.So the Rana 's minister entered into a separate treaty with Ambaji and sanctioned Rs. 8 Lacs per annum to him to meet his military expenses.Ambaji's wealth accumulated so immensely and his fortune heightened considerably that he was comfortably afford to lend Rs.8 lacs to the Rana to purchase the ornaments for the wedding of his sister.Ambaji captured Jahajpur from the rebels.Ambaji became so powewrful in October,1796 that "Ambaji was a subsidiary chief rather than a servant." (Poona Residency Correspondence,VIII Resident to G.G October,1796). "He maintained in his immediate pay a force equal to that of Scindia in Hindustan.He possessed immense personal wealth and farms above crore of Scindia's revenue having Gwalior and other places in his custody."(Anglo-Maratha Relations, 1785-96 By Sailendra Nath Sen,page300,).Holkar, with connivance of Scindia, placed Ambaji under surveillance and demanded 65 lacs of rupees from him.(Waqai-i-Holkar,folio177b) According to Tod,Rs. 55 were extorted from Ambaji (vol. 1, p. 535).Ambaji, at his own request, was allowed to go to Kota with Amir Khan and Bapuji Scindia to make arrangements for the payments.Ambaji succeeded in paying nearly half of the demand made upon him.
Estimate of Ambaji's administration in Rajasthan-Historians have several opinions on Ambaji's position in Mewad .Gaurishankar Ojha opines that Mahadji appointed Ambaji as his deputy in Mewad and Ambaji began to consider himself as the master and the maker of the states of Rajasthan.(James Todd, Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan)Ambaji, without any doubt,during his 8 years' administration reaped its revenues and amassed those hordes of wealth which subsequently gave him the lead in Hondustan and enabled him to assert his independence.Ambaji's administration in Mewad gave it what was fairly its long due-a sound administrative system, with Zala Zalim Singh as his local adviser.Raja Ambaji gave to Mewad a degree of tranquility and happiness of which she was long deprived of and earnestly longing for.Ambaji's work in Mewar forms an important part of Maratha legacy to the other provinces.The result of Ambaji's able administration can be derived from the fact that the state began yield an annual income of Rs. 50 lacs.
Ambaji's relation with Daulatrao Scindia- Mahadji died at Pune in February 1774 leaving behind him vast dominions.Mahadji had no issue and he declared during his lifetime Daulatrao Scindia as his heir, a young lad of 14 years.Daulatrao Scindia’s whole attention was concentrated on Poona,for the death of Peshwa Madho Rao on October 7, 1795 accelerated a contest for superemacy.Daulatrao Scindia could not attend the to Rajputana for seven long years.The entire responsibilty for maintaining and protecting Maratha interests was chiefly assigned to Ambaji Inglia.Daulatrao also appointed Ambaji as his Viceroy in the Eastern part comprising Jhansi. After the death of Mahadji started the famous war of widows (wives of Mahadji) by May 1798 who were deadly against the accession of Daulatrao.Daulatrao had neither the talent nor the maturity of Mahadji.Therefore,in later years he failed to maintain the same cordial relations with his chieftains as did Mahadji. Daulatrao who had neither administrative nor military experience became a puppet in the hands of Sarjirao Ghatge through his beautiful wife Baijabai.In the war of widows, Ambaji, Baloji and Khanduji Ingle brothers all sided Daulatrao.Ambaji, on the instruction of Daulatrao,kept the Bais engaged in the North.Thus,Ambaji by this time remained a trusted chief of Daulatrao.In theWar of widows,the Raja of Narwar came in conflict with Daulatrao Scindia when he helped the Widows of Mahadji Sindia and gave refuge to Lakhwa Dada.
Lakhwa Dada,the Viceroy of the Northern territory of Daulatrao Scindia, made a surprise attack on Narwar and succeeded in capturing the city in October,1795, and next invested the fort which protected the city,but it held out upto March 1796.But the wheels of fortune took a strange turn and Lakhwa Dada had to seek refuge under the Raja of Narwar,after he revolted against his master.Ambaji Inglia was sent to crush th Raja and Lakhwa Dada.Ambaji succeeded in subduing the place and appointed his brother Khande Rao Ingle Subedar of Narwar.
His master entrusted all the Northern States to Ambaji Inglia.Daulatrao also appointed Raja Ambaji Inglia as the Subedar of Hindustan.(page31,Calcutta Review,vol.71).Ambaji,along with,Sarjirao Ghatge tried toreconcile Sindhia and Holkar against the East India Company but could not succeed. As Daulatrao was devoid of political insight and diplomatic sagacity, he gradually grew suspicious of the rising influence of Ambaji Inglia.As a matter of fact, Daulatrao could not utilize Ambaji’s talent fully well.When badly in need of money Daulatrao at the instigation of Holkar, allowed him(Holkar) to plunder Ambaji on the condition that Scindia received half the proceeds. “Seizeing and torturing Ambaji to surrender hordes of money,Daulatrao felt pleased to have killed two birds with a single stone.But the party profited most was the Company,for Ambaji became an inveterate enemy of Holkar and Amir Khan, and the new Maratha Confederacy, which was al but formed and might have been more dangerous than the old one of which Peshwa was the head, passed into the region of might-have-been.”(Henry Beveridge,History ofIndia
Lakhwa Dada,the Viceroy of the Northern territory of Daulatrao Scindia, made a surprise attack on Narwar and succeeded in capturing the city in October,1795, and next invested the fort which protected the city,but it held out upto March 1796.But the wheels of fortune took a strange turn and Lakhwa Dada had to seek refuge under the Raja of Narwar,after he revolted against his master.Ambaji Inglia was sent to crush th Raja and Lakhwa Dada.Ambaji succeeded in subduing the place and appointed his brother Khande Rao Ingle Subedar of Narwar.
His master entrusted all the Northern States to Ambaji Inglia.Daulatrao also appointed Raja Ambaji Inglia as the Subedar of Hindustan.(page31,Calcutta Review,vol.71).Ambaji,along with,Sarjirao Ghatge tried toreconcile Sindhia and Holkar against the East India Company but could not succeed. As Daulatrao was devoid of political insight and diplomatic sagacity, he gradually grew suspicious of the rising influence of Ambaji Inglia.As a matter of fact, Daulatrao could not utilize Ambaji’s talent fully well.When badly in need of money Daulatrao at the instigation of Holkar, allowed him(Holkar) to plunder Ambaji on the condition that Scindia received half the proceeds. “Seizeing and torturing Ambaji to surrender hordes of money,Daulatrao felt pleased to have killed two birds with a single stone.But the party profited most was the Company,for Ambaji became an inveterate enemy of Holkar and Amir Khan, and the new Maratha Confederacy, which was al but formed and might have been more dangerous than the old one of which Peshwa was the head, passed into the region of might-have-been.”(Henry Beveridge,History of
Treaty with the Britishers-Ambaji Inglia exerted considerable influence in Rajasthan as Deputy of Mahadji and amassed great wealth and fortune.When Daulatrao asked him to repay the revenues of 147 lakhs that he had exorted and withheld, he conspired with the British,sent a secret agent to Lord Wellesley when he visited Fatehgarh in1801(Poona Residency Crrespondence,IX 31,Ibid ),requested Colonel Collins to allow him an asylum inthe Company's territory.(Poona Residency Crrespondence,VIII 163,IX 64,Footnote M.M. III 192 ).In 1803,he opened negotiations with Lord Wellesley,"revolted against his master and joined hands with the British"(P.E.Roberts, India under Wellesley,p.230) Ambaji was at Gwalior.Seeing the speedy success of the Britishers and having instigated by private ambitions, he concluded a separate treaty with the British before the battle of Laswari and was promised Marwar,Shivpuri,Koonch,Sabalgarh,Bijaypur,Kolaras(near Shivpuri),and Pauri (near Shivpuri).The treaty is famous in history as The Treaty of Amity and Alliance between the Honourable East India Company and Rajah Umbajee Rao Englah (as stated in A COLLECTION OF TREATIES, ENGAGEMENTS AND SANADS RELATING TO INDIA AND NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES VOL.III by C.U. AITCHISON).As per the stipulations of the said treaty, Raja Ambaji relinquished the forts of Gwalior and the districts hitherto held by Ambaji.Whereas the company guaranteed to Raja Ambaji Inglia the fort of Narwar and certain districts raising the revenue to the tune of 13,79,900 Rs.These districts were held by Raja Ambaji without any rent or tribute.The treaty was duly concluded and confirmed under the seal and signature of His Excellency General Genard Lake at Surhindee, in the subah of Ukburrabad, on the 16th day of December 1803 and under the seal and signature of Raja Ambaji on the 16th day of December 1803.This treaty,though repudiated in future by the British,stands a testimony to Ambaji's unrestrained influence in the politics of British India.These agreement were strategically important as they formed part of barrier to confine Scindia to the South and keep him out of Hindustan.They were politically important as they removed Scindia's influence from the Hindustan and the area around the passes leading into it.( Strategy and Diplomacy in British India under Marquis Wellesley : The second Maratha war, 1802-1806 by Enid M. Fuhr p.203)
Raja Ambaji's Last Days-As per the article second of the said agreement,Raja Ambaji was to hand over the fort of Gwalior which he failed to deliver.So Raja Ambaji lost the both-the favour of the English and the loyalty of his master.In 1809 Daulatrao again became displeased with Ambaji and dispatched General Yakub to oust Raja Ambaji from Pohri(near Shivpuri).Now commenced the downfall of a glorious maratha warrior.Broghton tells us about the last days of Raja Ambaji Inglia.It is probably the only authentic source which informs us of Raja Ambaji's glorious military and diplomatic career which took a gloomy turn at last."Poor old Raja Ambajee is said to be dying : he was taken ill some days ago,and sent to request Mr. M. to come and see him once more. He found him in a wretched little tent, in the rear of the batteries, with very few attendants,and no kind of comfort, about him. Mr. M. returned two days after by appointment ; and was informed that the Raja had quitted camp that morning, and was gone to a spot about eight miles off, on the banks of the Bunas ; partly for change of air, and partly to meet his wife and family. At his advanced age the annoyance of public business, and the state of continual apprehension in which he is kept by his formidable colleague, will probably soon tend to bring his days to a close. He is said still to be possessed of immense wealth ; though Seendhiya contrived, during Surjee Rao's former administration, to extort from him several lakhs of rupees, by setting fire to oiled cotton tied upon his fingers, and various other ingenious and similar contrivances. To a European mind it will appear inexplicable that a man so completely independent, who had experienced in his own person such indignities, and who is fully aware what reliance can be placed on Mahratta faith, could, by any offers of influence or wealth, be induced a second time to put himself in their power.(LETTER X,p.78,Ibid)
Raja Ambaji's Last Days-As per the article second of the said agreement,Raja Ambaji was to hand over the fort of Gwalior which he failed to deliver.So Raja Ambaji lost the both-the favour of the English and the loyalty of his master.In 1809 Daulatrao again became displeased with Ambaji and dispatched General Yakub to oust Raja Ambaji from Pohri(near Shivpuri).Now commenced the downfall of a glorious maratha warrior.Broghton tells us about the last days of Raja Ambaji Inglia.It is probably the only authentic source which informs us of Raja Ambaji's glorious military and diplomatic career which took a gloomy turn at last."Poor old Raja Ambajee is said to be dying : he was taken ill some days ago,and sent to request Mr. M. to come and see him once more. He found him in a wretched little tent, in the rear of the batteries, with very few attendants,and no kind of comfort, about him. Mr. M. returned two days after by appointment ; and was informed that the Raja had quitted camp that morning, and was gone to a spot about eight miles off, on the banks of the Bunas ; partly for change of air, and partly to meet his wife and family. At his advanced age the annoyance of public business, and the state of continual apprehension in which he is kept by his formidable colleague, will probably soon tend to bring his days to a close. He is said still to be possessed of immense wealth ; though Seendhiya contrived, during Surjee Rao's former administration, to extort from him several lakhs of rupees, by setting fire to oiled cotton tied upon his fingers, and various other ingenious and similar contrivances. To a European mind it will appear inexplicable that a man so completely independent, who had experienced in his own person such indignities, and who is fully aware what reliance can be placed on Mahratta faith, could, by any offers of influence or wealth, be induced a second time to put himself in their power.(LETTER X,p.78,Ibid)
Ambajee is at length dead. He died at the town of Bugera, not far from camp, on the morning of the 5th, May 1809(LETTER XIII,p.99.Ibid) while Poona Residency Correspondence, XI, No. 286,p.431 states night of 4th May, 1809. And is said to have left immense wealth behind him : report states it at three crores of rupees ; or as many millions of pounds sterling. Report doubtless exaggerates in this as in all such cases ; but from his regular and long established habits of economy, and the many opportunities he had, during his protracted life, of amassing, ,there can be little doubt but that his wealth was very great. One of his sons, named Dajee was with him at his death ; and his brother, Bala Rao, set off from camp, attended only by five horsemen, upon learning his danger. He returned the next day, and on the following afternoon we went to pay him the customary visit of condolence. He was seated upon the ground, in a miserable tent, with no clothing, but a pair of common gootinnas, and a coarse cloth thrown over his head. On these occasions it is not usual for the visitors totake any notice of the mourner either upon entering or departing, nor during the visit : a third person does thehonours, communicating the speeches of condolence, and returning the answers which are made ; and which always run in one common strain, upon the certainty of death, the virtue of resignation, and the futility of useless sorrow. Bala Rao, however, talked a little himself ; and expressed himself with propriety and feeling on the loss he had sustained in his brother's death ; who appears to have been very generally looked up to, and esteemed by his friends(LETTER XIII,p.99,Ibid).Ambajee's widow and son, with a large suite of followers, arrived in camp on the 24th, and were visited the same evening by Seendhiya, attended by the Mamma, Surjee Rao, and most of the principal Surdars in camp.He expects to receive a present of four or five lakhs of rupees, as a douceur to ensure his protection towards the family(Broughton,p.115, Ibid).On the opposite bank of the river commences the province of Ajmeer
Dajee, the son of Raja Ambajee, was nominated Soobudar of Gwalior and he has even been presented with the customary 'Khilut' upon the occasion. He agreed to pay a peshgee, or advance, of eleven lakhs for the appointment.( Broughton,p.147, LETTER XIX).After the death of Ambajee Inglia, Daulatrao Scindia requested that Ambaji’s pension be continued to his heirs. But The East India company declined and did not grant Daulat Rao’s request.(IOR/F/4/311/7100 May1806-Dec.1809 in British Library, Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections)
Estimate of Raja Ambajee Inglia : Raja Ambaji Inglia was a soldier of fortune and remained a trusted soldier of Mahadji Scindia and then Daulatrao’s.His heart was filled with indomitable spirit of and his mind had always been a storehouse of some kind of treachery. Ambaji’s name had been prominent in the first decade of the nineteenth century in connection with intrigues of more or less turpitude. He acquired bravery and diplomacy in heritage as he was the son of celebrated Trimbakji Ingle who,along with his three sons, fought with Mahadji in third battle of Panipat against the foreign invaders (Ahmadshah Abdali).Starting his career as a Subedar, Ambaji established himself as a sovereign chief .During his eight years tenure in Mewar , Ambaji accumulated immense wealth and prosperity which was unparalleled to any other Maratha chief of the same rank. Zalim singh, shrewd and crooked chief of Zhalawad, was a bosom fried of Ambaji optimised his friendship to restore peace in Mewar. Ambaji Ingle also recruited Captain Joseph Harvey Bellasis, a young Englishman with an excellent knowledge of military science, who raised Ambaji’s four battalions of regular infantry.Ambaji Inglia also availed the services of Colonel James Shepherd who took service under Ambaji about 1790 and raised a brigade of regular infantry ,which numbered five battalions, 500 cavalry and 25 guns.Celebrated Raja Ambaji Ingle undoubtedly ranks amongst the brave soldiers and diplomats of the the eighteenth and the early nineteenth century. Without education, or protection Ambaji rose from obscurity to be a man of consequence by his bravery, perseverance and assiduity ; his diligent toil and bold enterprise deserved all the success he secured for him.
