Storia do Mogor 238.6.6

238.6.6

In these armies the foot soldiers are commonly Rajputs, the greater number being of the Bundelah tribe or Purbiyahs from the direction of Allahabad. They are matchlockmen and archers, and also serve to look after the baggage. They are faithful to their employers, but great thieves on the march, plundering supplies of food and wood for their cooking fires. For this they are punished and bound two and two upon camels, their noses pierced by arrows, and paraded throughout the camp, so that they may be seen and terror be inspired. All the same, they continue to pilfer and are very insolent, paying respect to no one. If anyone has a dispute with one of them, they congregate in great numbers, and the adversary of their tribesman is severely beaten and left half dead. This I have seen many times. Some of them would be going along when, seeing some such wrangle, they would draw near to give help, and would kindly beat the disputant with their sticks ; or if not able to do so owing to their opponents' numbers, would throw stones at them, give them a lot of abuse, and then resume their route. It seems to me I have dwelt sufficiently on the habits and customs of this Hindustan ; but I have observed that all the great men are fond of amusing themselves with chess-playing, by which, as they say, they learn to govern, place and displace, give and take, with discretion, to the glory and gain of their projects. I will relate a story about this game.