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Present Force of KASHI RAO HOLKAR and JESSWUNT RAO HOLKAR.

The cavalry of these chiefs may be computed at 30,000, exclusive of the Pindarees, or irregular horse. In this statement, made from information received from writers and soldiers in their service, who seldom fail to add to the number, there may possibly be some error. But it is certain, that Jesswunt Rao Holkar is actually at the head of a body of cavalry, amounting to 20,000 men. Kashi Rao Holkar has from 4 to 5000 cavalry at Endore (his capital) to which of the cavalry of Ameen Khan, a tributary, be added, as likewise that under

Holkar's cavalry are superior to those of Scindeah, being better officered, and more correspondent with the real Mahratta custom of predatory warfare.

The infantry (observes M. Thomas) are very bad. They are ill paid, badly officered, and without subordination, undiciplined, nor can they make use of their arms in action.

The Rohillas in Holkar's service are a faithless rabble, who will stand true only as long as they find it their interest; they are always ready to leave, or ruin him, if not regularly paid, or when expected to move against an enemy of superior force; or, if by any means they should have accumulated money.

Detailed Statement of the collected Force of KASHI RAO HOLKAR, and JESSWUNT RAO HOLKAR. Cavalry. 30,000

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Pindarees, or Looties, Mounted on small horses 10,000

Total Cavalry.. 40,000

Infantry.

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This place, the fort of which is situated on the summit of a high hill, is thus described in a work, published some years since, by Elas Haberei; but better known to the English reader under the name of Count Githa.

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"The emperors had likewise kept Aloor, a country very fertile in mines, and not at a great distance from Maltra. On these mountains there is another distinct nation called Meena, whose most splendid quality is, that they excel all others in stealing; and, we are assured, that they are the most dexterous pilferers of India. They are capable of carrying off a horse, or a prisoner, from the most vigilaut guard. All these countries produce infinite quantities of cattle; in which their principal trade consists.

The richest, most agreeable, and most commodious place in these parts, is the plain or valley of Tanagasi, two leagues in length, and one in breadth, which contains now seventeen mines that are opened, and as they are all well explored, they may be reckoned to produce a crore of rupees annually. The province of Aloor is dependent on Jeypoor, or should be. It is, in general, as fertile in mines as the other, and is rich; but the little province of Tanagasi, which is subiect to Aloar, is really the most substantial part. Tanagasi lies at only four days small journies from Maltra. The capital, and only town, bears the same name, it is pretty large, trades considerably, and is situated at the foot of a mountain, on which there is a fort, with some pieces of artillery. In 1780-1, a Frenchman commanding the artillery of Najif Khan undermined this garrison; but it surrendered before the mine was sprung. If the English chose to seize on Aloar and Tanagasi, their army, which I suppose to be encamped at Maltra, must march to Deeg in a single day; proceeding thence, they should leave Aloar ten English miles to the right, they would find no opposition hitherto. It is only at Sakmin Ghur that we find a fort, which commands the plain that leads to a pass on the road to Tanagasi: at that pass there is another small fort, and both together could not hold out twenty-four hours against an attack in form. Tanagasi is the terrestrial paradise of that country, it is there that decent employment would be found for 200 individuals of the English nation, and aided by two battalions, they would be enabled to explore, peaceably, all its mines, and make them produce 60 lacks of rupees, clear of all expence, in each year; but in the case two redoubts should be constructed on the two banks of the Jumna, to protect the passage boats for merchandize and minerals, they might send from Tanagasi, escorted by a company of the battalions that would be stationed there. From Maltra the goods might pass on to Futty Ghur, or some other places on the Ganges, to be sent thence to a greater distance. The navigation of the Jumna, as far as Allahabad, might be attempted. Vide Objects interesting to the English Nation, vol. ii. p. 113-114, Calentia Edit. 1793.

3

12th.

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Of this singular tribe the ingenious author of Objects interesting to the English Nation, thus remarks, "The Jautes derive their origin from a single head of a family, whose name was Ram-gee; he had 34 children, who gave him many grand children, who all respected him as their father and prince. The eldest of the family in direct line, has always been acknowledged as Ram-gee himself. They were cultivators, thence their attachment to agriculture. They remained in obscurity until the fall of the Mogul empire, they have seized on Agra, and extended their power as far as Siren, on the road to Lahore. Their chiefs resided at Agra, with the title of Rajahs; the first of them that acquired reputation, was named Jonah Sing; his successor's name was Creten Sing; and that of the last chief was Naval Sing. Since this nation has been defeated by Najif Khan, it has fallen into contempt and oblivion, for they have lost their conquests, and are now confined to Bhurtpoor, which is the capital of their little country; but it is very strong, its ditches are of a breadth more than is usual elsewhere, they are 56 feet deep, and are always filled with water that comes from a perennial spring. Their present chief, who now retains the title of Rajah, is called Renget Sing, who is, at the same time, the chief of their religion, which is that of the Hindus.” Vide vol. ii, p. 120-131.

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION of the SooLoo Islands.
By A. DALRYMPLE, ESQ.

The limits of Sooloo, eastward Sooloo, Baseelaw, and Taweetaand northward, are the Philipinas; wee. westward, Borneo-proper; and southward, Idanea, or the island of Bomeo.

It is composed of an archipelago, of which the three most considerable islands, are Sooloo, Baseelan, and Taweetawee. Of many districts on the east, north, and northwest coasts of Borneo, and of the better half of Pulawan, or Paragoa, and of Dumaraw.

I propose to treat, first, of the islands which I shall for the greater precision, do, under three heads,

SECT. 1.-Sooloo.

Sooloo comprehends the Soolo islands, Tapool isles, Paleangan isles, and Pangootarau isles.

Under the denomination of the Soolo islands, I consider Sooloo, Nosa Salé, Tuleän, Bankoongan, Panganak, Koohangan, Toolgar, Boolé Kootin, Kapooal, Beeteenan, Saang, Dong Dong, Tamboolean, Pata, Dammokan, Loombeean, Patean, and Teoomabab.

Sooloo

Sooloo itself is divided into several chiefships, all subordinate to the capital, but, having their own officers for the common jurisdiction in their several districts.

The chiefs of these districts are of different ranks, being denominated Pangleema, Maharajah Palawan, and Orankys. The districts are eight in number.

Looe which comprehends the country of Booal and Pateebolan, under a Pangleema

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Many of the hills are cultivated almost to their summits, and these fields surrounded with clumps of woodland, afford a delightful prosdect to the eye, which only wants country seats, churches, and such decorations of a civilized people to form a complete landscape; as the huts which appear scattered over the country, are but a poor substitute for the want of better habita

tions.

The coast is generally woody, so that it is no small pleasure to

Dahow, under Maharaja Pala- the eye, as it were, to steal through this barrier into the cultivated

wan

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Tookey, under Parcan Batang. Looe is the most considerable for the number of people: It is not to be supposed the limits of each district are determined with sufficient precision, to permit a minute geographical disquisition, but what is above mentioned will be enough to point out their situations.

There are, perhaps, few places in the world more agreeable than Sooloo, particularly in the arrangement and figure of the hills. Some whereof are covered with stately woods, others with clear grass land, delightfully verdant, except in spots where it has been burnt for cultivation, and which, from the variety it affords, conveys more the idea of pleasure, than of barrenness.

scenes.

Temontaugis, the most remarkable of the hills, is a single mountain, peak'd at top, it is situated to the S. W. of the fort, and is detached from all the other hills. To the southward of it is the mountain Tooky, less in altitude, but more beautiful in appearance, being chiefly cleared and extremely verdant; it has a remarkable peak near near the summit, detached and apparently steep on every side, intended, as it were, by nature, for an observatory. It is said the top of the mountain forms itself into a hollow plain, with a gentle declivity inwards to a pit, which has lately fallen in, and is without bottom; here the natives have built a town, and indeed it appears few more agreeable situations are to be found.

To the westward between Tooky and Temontaugis, there is a peaked Hummock, named Heegang-au, not high, though woody.

To the eastward of Tooky there are several hills, the most remarkable is Taleepon, which, in beauty of appearance surpasses, all the others. It is of a good height, though not equal to many others on the island; but the southern

side

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