A History of the Mahrattas v2.c58.17

v2.c58.17

(Jan. 25.)—Of the Pindharees, Cheetoo’s durra alone remains to be accounted for. The main body had hitherto escaped; but on the 25th January it was completely surprised and dispersed by a detachment from the garrison of Hindia; and the Bheels and Grassias in the neighbourhood, from whom it may be recollected the Pindharees took several districts, being encouraged to attack the fugitives, spared none who fell into their hands. Cheetoo with two hundred followers escaped: he endeavoured to make terms for himself through the Nabob of Bhopaul, but his demands were extravagant, and being again pursued, his followers dropped off daily. He afterwards went through a variety of adventures, and we shall again have occasion to mention him; but at length, hunted from his last asylum, and still bearing up with a spirit and perseverance worthy of the leader of a better band, Cheetoo, when singly pursuing his flight, was devoured by a tiger in the jungles adjoining the fortress of Asseergurh. The Pindharees thus dispersed, without leaders, and without a home or a rendezvous, were afterwards little heard of, though flying parties were seen in the Deccan until the termination of the war with the Peishwa: they mingled with the rest of the population, but the real Pindharees still retain their name, though some of them have become active improving farmers.¹