A History of the Mahrattas v2.c55.44

v2.c55.44

In the meantime, although Bajee Rao was disappointed in the hope of being able to ruin the southern Jagheerdars, they were compelled to bow before him. He could scarcely refrain from insulting the Putwurdhuns when they came to pay their respects, and his exultation at getting Baba Rao Phurkay into his power knew no bounds. He was profuse in his acknowledgements and expressions of gratitude to the Governor-General and the Resident; but he at the same time declared that he should wish not to have a single Surinjamee horseman¹ in his service, and proposed raising a brigade of infantry, to be disciplined entirely by European officers and paid like the British Sepoys, direct from the treasury. To this proposal the Governor-General readily acceded, and Captain John Ford, of the Madras establishment, who had been long attached to the escort of Colonel Close, was, at the recommendation of Khoosroojee, selected by the Peishwa as commandant of the brigade, and able officers from the line, chosen by Captain Ford, were lent from the Bombay establishment to assist in its formation and discipline. The men, excepting a small proportion of Mahrattas, were chiefly raised in the Company’s provinces in Hindoostan, and on entering their battalions swore fidelity to the Peishwa, whilst he continued in alliance with the British Government.¹