149 



both banks are constantly occupied ; nor do they care how far 

 they advance in front or rear, their only object being to preserve 

 their right and left vicinity. 



The head-quarters being ascertained, as above mentioned, by 

 the erection of the d hall-flag, all the flags of the other chieftains 

 are pitched as fast as they arrive, and also their tents; their fol- 

 lowers dispose of themselves as they can, with their numerous herds 

 of cattle, women, children, and retainers, in their repective sta- 

 tions. The chief or chiefs, in the mean time, remain on the former 

 ground, reserving a small tent, or shameana, for the purpose of 

 eating their first meal; which, except on great emergency, is an in- 

 dispensable custom, and going through their religious ceremonies, 

 called poojah; whereas the bulk of the army, having dispatched 

 their tents and equipage with the beenee walla, remain unshel- 

 tered, with their horses in their hands. These avocations, pooja, 

 ashman, rooswae, devotion, ablution, and eating, which are more 

 indispensable with the brahmins than the Mahrattas, being dis- 

 charged, the chieftain, if a brahmin, is generally ready to proceed 

 by nine or ten o'clock; if a Mahratla, a little earlier. He gene- 

 rally sets out on an elephant, in great state, as far as number can 

 supply the want of order, accompanied by all the cavalry, ex- 

 cept the corps advanced with the flags, and reaches his new 

 ground according to the distance of the march, where he finds his 

 tents and equipage ready. This mode of proceeding suits very 

 well with the convenience of the chiefs and principal brahmins 

 in their morning meals and religious ceremonies, especially as they 

 are generally provided with baggage sufficient to reserve a small 

 covering for that purpose, and with elephants and palanquins for 



