A History of the Mahrattas v1.c9.66

v1.c9.66

The Mahrattas are occasionally mentioned in Ferishta’s history of the Edil Shahee kings under the name of Bergee, by which they are scarcely known to Europeans. Bergee, or Burgay, was more frequently applied by the Mahomedans to the Naiks of the Carnatic; many natives of which, who cannot speak their own language, call themselves Mahrattas; but all the troops of the Mahratta Munsubdars were called Bergee; and in many parts of India they are still known by that name: it was used like the term Baruh Bhaee ¹ of later date, as a contemptuous appellation, and perhaps originated with the foreign cavalry, when disbanded to make room for Deccanes in the army of Beejapoor. They were always found particularly serviceable in stopping roads and intercepting supplies, in hanging on the rear of a flying enemy, and in plundering and devastating a country.