138 TROOPS OF THE AMEER. 



12,000 well-disciplined infantry, 6000 horse of 

 a superior description, and 112 guns, but Ameer 

 Khan's power subsequently declined, as Sir 

 John Malcolm, who had the best means of in- 

 formation, reported to the Supreme Government 

 in 1817, that this chief's military force did not 

 exceed 12,000 horse, several indifferent batta- 

 lions, and between two and three hundi^ed 

 pieces of artillery. At this time, however, 

 the two Pathan chiefs were formidably pre- 

 eminent amongst our enemies from having large 

 bodies of trained infantry, and a numerous artil- 

 lery, all actuated by the same predatory spirit 

 as the Pindarics themselves. Their infantry 

 were the old battalions of Holkar, which were 

 reputedly the best in India, not under the com- 

 mand of European officers. The horse were 

 moreover paid by the month, instead of living, 

 as the Pindarics avowedly did, by plunder 

 alone. Indeed, the main difference between the 

 two classes was that the Pathans were banded 

 together for the pm^pose of plundering govern- 

 ments and powerful chiefs, whilst the Pindarics 

 were actuated by a desire for general rapine. 

 They preyed upon the population at large, and 

 only fought when figliting was unavoidable, 



