252 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XV. 
me es the following dione from Captain Blunt’s narra- 
tive. Captain Blunt was told “ that since the Mahrattas had 
** quence been deputed by the Boheiae of Chhattisgarh with 
** about 200 matchlockmen and 30 horse to levy the tribute due 
‘to the Rajah of Berar; and had been joined by the Rajah of 
“Surgooja with about 80 horse and foot. Gurreeb Singh on 
mounted only to 10 matchlockmen, 3 horsemen and about 
is 100 of the Chohan mountaineers armed with hatchets, bows 
‘and arrows. They had attempted to fortify the pass through 
‘““which they expected the Mahrattas would have entered 
‘their territory, but Gulab Khan ontgeneralled them by 
‘* entering Korea through a different opening in the mountains 
in the forcing of which there had been 4 or 5 men killed on 
“families and as much of their property as they had time to 
“carry off, in the most impenetrable parts of the woods and 
*‘ in caves among the hills and rocks. The enemy then sae 
“‘ the country and burned the villages, which very much 
“tressed the Rajah’s subjects, sh ae they supplieated 
‘‘him to make peace. A treaty was begun and conclude 
“his stipulating to pay the Mahrattas 2,000 pias es and the 
3: ——. agreed to return some cattle which they had 
‘taken. 1 was well informed that this sum was considered 
s «merely in the light of a nominal tribute or acknowledgment 
This Gilbertian finish to a contest in which no less than three 
‘* Rajahs ”’ besides the Marathas were engaged is typical of the 
petty operations in which the native Governments were con- 
onan Oe involved. 
Of the Marathas’ treatment oe the cultivating classes 
Blunt al a rather dismal pict e. ‘* The Mahrattas rg 
“ circulated among them, and they derive their habitations and 
“ subsistence from the labour of their own hands. Their troops 
“who are chiefly composed of emigrants from the northern and 
