Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.15.8

25.15.8

but now only seventy-five form a Company, whose chief man is called a Sobahdar. The Commander of twenty is a Djematdar, or a Naic; of ten or twelve, a Havaleh-dar; and of six, an Amaldar. Ten Sobahdars with their men form a Paltan, and the Commander of these ten Sobahdars is called a Comidan (Commandant); but every Paltan with its men and officers is under the orders of an English Capitain, who has the power of confirming, dismissing, and appointing the officers, as well as of bringing others in their stead; of disciplining the men, and of giving them their pay, with a turbant, a coat, and a sash or girdle; of repairing their arms, of examining them; and of giving them new ones. All that is in the Capitain's office, who, in the command of this single Paltan, has many benefits, which amount to a good Djaghir or landed estate; so that whenever a Commander is inclined to oblige a Capitain, he gives him a Paltan, else, the officer remains with his particular pay, as a simple Capitain, and waits for the moment of being appointed to such a command. As to those European warriors that come from their country, if they be vile and low born, they are first turned into soldiers, to be afterwards advanced to the office of Sergeants. Now a Sergeant has a command in disciplining the men, and in keeping them in order.