A History of the Mahrattas v2.c41.41

v2.c41.41

But the most important of all the changes introduced by Sindia was the well-organized, regular force, which he about this time raised, by augmenting the two battalions of De Boigne into a brigade, which was subsequently at different periods increased to three brigades. A brigade consisted of eight battalions of seven hundred men each. Attached to every brigade there were five hundred horse; and to each battalion five pieces of artillery, two six-pounders, two three-pounders, and a howitzer. To provide for the regular payment of these troops, he made over assignments of land to the charge and management of De Boigne; to whom he allowed two per cent. upon the net revenue, independent of his regular pay, which was ten thousand rupees a month. A select body of irregular infantry was attached to De Boigne's force, to whose efficiency that officer greatly contributed by adding a bayonet to their matchlocks. The augmentation of De Boigne's army was gradual, as was his train of artillery, which consisted at last of upwards of two hundred pieces of cannon of different calibres. Sixty of his best guns were cast by Mr. Sangster, the officer already mentioned, who quitted the service of the Rana of Gohud, and entered that of Sindia under De Boigne. His officers were Europeans of all nations; many of them British, and men very respectable by birth, education, and character.¹