Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 4.4.5

4.4.5

The army stationed in the provinces differs in nothing from that about the King's person, except in its superior numbers. In every district there are Omrahs, Mansebdars, Rousindars, common troopers, infantry and artillery. In the Decan alone the cavalry amounts to twenty or five-and-twenty, and sometimes to thirty thousand; a force not more than sufficient to overawe the powerful King of Golkonda, and to maintain the war against the King of Visapour and the Rajas who, for the sake of mutual protection, join their forces with his. The number of troops in the kingdom of Kahoul, which it is necessary to quarter in that country to guard against any hostile movement on the part of the Persians, Augans, Balouchees, and I know not how many other mountaineers, cannot be less than twelve or fifteen thousand. In the kingdom of Kachemire there are more than four thousand. In Bengale, so frequently the seat of war, the number is much greater; and as there is no province which can dispense with a military force, more or less numerous, according to its extent and particular situation, the total amount of troops in Hindoustan is almost incredible.