A History of the Mahrattas v2.c45.22

v2.c45.22

(December.)—Nizam Ally was first in the field, and slowly advanced from Beder along the banks of the Manjera towards the Mahratta frontier. The Peishwa quitted Poona in January, and his army marched at the same time, but by different routes, for the convenience of forage. There were upwards of one hundred and thirty thousand horse and foot in the Mahratta army, exclusive of ten thousand Pindharees. Of this force upwards of one half were either paid from the Peishwa’s treasury, or were troops of Jagheerdars under his direct control. Doulut Rao Sindia’s force was more numerous and more efficient than that of any other chieftain, although the greater part of his army remained in Hindoostan and Malwa. Jooba Bukhshee commanded immediately under Doulut Rao, and had lately joined him with a reinforcement;—the whole consisted of twenty-five thousand men, of whom ten thousand were regular infantry under De Boigne’s second in command, Monsieur Perron. Rughoojee Bhonslay mustered 15,000 horse and foot; Tookajee Holkar had only ten thousand, but of these, two thousand were regulars under Dudrenec, and most of the Pindharees were followers of Holkar. Pures hram Bhow had seven thousand men.