41 



in European armies, and may in some measure account for ihe 

 want of discipline in so large a body ; where every man beats a 

 drum, blows a trumpet, or fires his match-lock when he pleases, 

 and frequently when loaded with ball. It was with difficulty the 

 British commanding officer suppressed this dangerous practice in 

 Ragobah's army, where it was so prevalent, that it could only be 

 prevented by cutting off the fingers of a delinquent. 



The Indian camps display a variety of standards and ensigns; 

 each chieftain has his own: red seems the prevailing colour, but 

 they are seldom decorated with any thing like armorial bearings. 

 The banner which was always carried before Ragobah was small, 

 and swallow-tailed, of crimson and gold tissue, with gold fringes 

 and tassels; called by the Mahrattas, zerree puttah: some of the 

 flags are on very high poles, and larger than a ship's ensign: in 

 the European armies, the knights banneret erected their own 

 standard among their followers; the knights bachelors, or simple 

 knights, did not: similar distinctions are observed among the 

 Mahrattas; the most considerable chieftains display their own co- 

 lours, have separate encampments, and their own bazar, or market; 

 in which they collect duties, and make such regulations as they 

 think proper, without control from the sovereign. 



The Mahratta cavaliers of distinction frequently ornament their 

 saddles with the bushy tails of the Thibet cows, as also the horse's 

 head. On one side an attendant carries a rich umbrella, called an 

 aftaphgere, generally of velvet, embroidered with gold; on the 

 other, is a man with a large fan, or chouree, formed by the tail of 

 the wild cow from Thibet, covered with long flowing hair, delicately 



VOL. II. o 



