A History of the Mahrattas v1.c14.60

v1.c14.60

The garrison was sometimes partly composed of the common infantry; but independent of them each fort had a separate and complete establishment. It consisted of Bramins, Mahrattas, Ramoosees, Mhars, and Mangs; the whole were termed Gurhkurees.¹ They were maintained by permanent assignments of rent-free lands in the neighbourhood of each fort, which, with the care of the fort, descended hereditarily. The Ramoosees, Mhars, and Mangs were employed on the outpost duty; they brought intelligence, watched all the paths, misled enquiries, or cut off an enemy’s stragglers. This establishment, whilst new and vigorous, was admirably suited to Sivajee’s purpose, as well as to the genius of the people. The Gurhkurees, in their own language, described the fort as the mother that fed them; and amongst other advantages, no plan could be better devised for providing for old or meritorious soldiers.