The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.166

c15.166

As Raghuji may be rightly regarded as the last of the Angrias, we may here quote McCluer’s account of his interview with the Chief of Kolaba. ‘When we landed there was a numerous train to receive us, many of them Purvoes who spoke good English, and no doubt carry on a regular correspondence with their friends at Bombay. We were shewn to an open booth, near the gate of the fort, and there seated on a carpet till the great man came out. Some time before he made his appearance, his approach was noticed by the clashing of cymbals, and rattling of tomtoms. He came out in great state, attended with fifty or sixty armed men, whose arms were all covered with red clothes. At first I took them for flags that they carried. He received us very kindly, seemed very happy to see his friends, as he called us, and asked a number of questions which I knew wanted no answers, as he seemed well informed of everything transacted in Bombay. After a discourse of about half an hour upon various subjects, we took our leaves of him, and at parting we were almost suffocated with perfumes, and drowned with rose water. Nor did his civility end here, for he ordered a boat to attend us to the vessel, with a tray of sweetmeats, which part of the ceremony I could have gladly dispensed with, as it entirely prevented my sounding between the shore and the vessel.¹