A History of the Mahrattas v1.c14.48

v1.c14.48

The ancient Hindoo festival of the Dussera³ was observed by Sivajee with great pomp. It falls at the end of the monsoon, and was particularly convenient for a general muster and review of his troops previous to their taking the field. At this time, each horse was examined, and an inventory and valuation of each soldier's effects were taken, in order to be compared with what he brought back, or eventually to be made good. If a horseman's effects were unavoidably lost, his horse killed, maimed, or destroyed in the government service, they were on due proof replaced; but all plunder or articles discovered, of which a satisfactory account could not be given, were carried to the credit of government, either by confiscating the article, or deducting the amount from the soldier's arrears. It was at the option of the captors to retain almost any article, if fairly brought forward, valued, and paid for.