Shivaji and His Times c17.s5.15

c17.s5.15

∗ The method followed by the Pindharis in 1810-16, as described by a contemporary English officer, may be taken to illustrate the conduct of the Maratha troops in Shivaji’s time, though not of the more developed forces of the Peshwas: “Until the close of the rains and the fall of the rivers, their horses were carefully trained, to prepare them for long marches and hard work. The rivers generally became fordable by the close of the Dassera. The horses were then shod......... and all that were so inclined set forth on a foray......... All were mounted, though not equally well; .........the favourite weapon was a bamboo spear, from 12 to 18 feet long ......... It is not surprising that a body so constituted, and moving without camp-equipage of any kind, should traverse the whole of India in defiance of the most active pursuit by regular troops along the same line of march. ......... As it was impossible for them to remain more than a few hours on the same spot, the utmost despatch was necessary in rifling any towns or villages into which they could force an entrance; every one whose appearance indicated the probability of his possessing money, was immediately put to the most horrid torture......... It was their common practice to burn and destroy what could not be carried away.” [Prinsep’s History, of...... Marquess of Hastings, i. 38-39.]