The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c11.52

c11.52

British subjects were, as a matter of policy, encouraged to enter native service to safeguard their country’s interest and to counterpoise the French influence in the Maratha army which had caused great anxiety at Calcutta and Bombay. Boyd and Tone were really serving the British Government at Hyderabad and Poona.³ But the Marathas on the other hand did not make the least distinction of nationality in their choice of military officers. Their ignorance or indifference about the country and the nationality of their employees was appalling. To mistake Boyd for an Englishman was probably natural and immaterial, but even De Boigne has frequently been called an *Ingraz* or Englishman.⁴ There was a scarcity of military experts, and when one was available the Marathas did not take the slightest trouble of making enquiries into his nationality or antecedent, while his complexion was considered enough evidence of his military knowledge. The Marathas in the Nizam’s army had not the least scruple in fighting against their relatives of Poona and it was argued that an Irishman or an American might also be expected to look after the interests of his master even when they clashed with those of his country. As a result of this blind confidence or childish sense of security the military secrets of the Marathas were never safe, not even in times of peace.