THE POWER OF THE MARATHAS 175

the Maratha dominion. The correctness of this view is attested by a statement in a letter from the President and Council of Madras, who wrote under date of Oc- tober, 1756: " We look on the Morattoes [Marathas] to be more than a match for the whole (Moghul) Em- pire, were no European force to interfere." It was very fortunate for the English that they did not come into collision with such antagonists until their own strength had matured; since there can be no doubt that throughout the later stages of the tournament for the prize of ascendency between England and the native powers, the most dangerous challengers of the British were the Marathas.