A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.41

v1.c17.41

In prosecution of the war against the Portuguese, Sumbhajee attacked Choule³ in the month of June, but he could make no impression on a regular European fortification. The viceroy of Goa did not confine his operations to defensive warfare. He took the field in the month of October and invaded Sumbhajee’s territory with a considerable army, twelve hundred of whom were Europeans. The Portuguese in their warfare exhibited greater barbarity than Mahratta free-booters. They not only carried fire and sword into the defenceless villages, but destroyed the temples, and attempted to convert their prisoners by force.⁴