OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST MARATHA WAR 245

sea of troubles; and they peremptorily ordered the Company's forces to be withdrawn, if it could be done without danger. But before this letter could reach Bombay, the expedition had started; Salsette and Bas- sein, two very important points, had been forcibly occupied; and the English were committed to the war. At Arras was fought the first of that long series of battles between the English and the Marathas, almost all of which have been well and honourably contested. The Bombay troops were obliged to fall back in dis- order, losing many English of- ficers, who sacrificed themselves with their usual devotion in the attempt to rally their sepoys. It now seemed to Hastings im- possible to make peace immediately and honourably, so he insisted that his countrymen must stand their ground and face their reverses; reinforcements were sent across India; and attempts were made at nego- tiation with the Marathas, who were justly incensed by these proceedings. In this manner England became entangled in a long, costly, and unprofitable war, which may be taken to have been the original source of the interminable hos- tilities which occupied Hastings for the next seven years, straining his finances, damaging his reputation, distracting his administration, and bringing both Bom- RAGHUNATH RAO.