Storia do Mogor 334.10

334.10

I noticed that these fortresses had not been designed by good architects or engineers. The works are [? weak] in spite of their walls being built of great hewn stones fixed in cement, and their being provided with hollows or ditches right round them. In some ditches there is a water-supply, in others none. The forts have also some pieces of artillery twenty to twenty-five feet long, of which the calibre is so extremely large that a big [152] fat man can easily get inside. The greater number of these guns lie on the ground outside the fort gates. There are, in addition, a few inside in different positions. I also noticed some small pieces on the walls and bastions, carrying a ball of from one half pound to three pounds' weight. They were mounted on heavy blocks of wood, without carriages or wheels, and their muzzles pointed into the air. Their only use is to make a noise and smoke on the days when a new moon appears, or when it is intended to frighten someone ; for to go through any drill with them, or to teach how to aim them in one direction or another, that is an impossible thing. Nevertheless, the Mogul never omits to sanction the money necessary for efficiently providing all these fortresses, and sees that there are faithful officers in charge, such as Darroges (dāroghah), Ammy (amīn), and Morseg (mushrif) — that is to say [blank in original]. In addition there is a commandant at each fortified place. But the whole lot are thieves, and the places are kept like cowsheds.