History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c44.58

v2.c44.58

a sort of chain armour for the body and thighs; and a girdle formed of the tail of some wild animal. Besides the terror inspired by these unusual habiliments, they further heightened the ferocity of their appearance by staining their limbs with yellow clay, and their countenances with vermillion. Thus exhibiting altogether as savage and fantastic an air, as one can well conceive to invest the national army of any country or people. However wild and motley their appearance and composition, they certainly did not fight badly, when encouraged at least by the proximity of their jungles, since we find them constantly sustaining the most bloody battles with the Moghuls, and if may be doubted whether they were not superior to any infantry which the Berar Marhattas ever brought into the field during their government of the province.¹”