32 



History of the Ramoossies. 



[Jan. 



meet tliem, when the orders of Government respecting his 

 pardon were communicated. After hearing the substance 

 of the proclamation, Oomiah ascended the hill to join his 

 followers, and Bhojajee Naik proceeded to Sakoordy with 

 about 70 men where he was joined by Oomiah in the 

 course of four or five days. They seemed still to dread 

 some act of treachery on the part of Government, as they 

 were not satisfied with the conditional pardon which was offer- 

 ed. Oomiah's good fortune however still attended him 

 throughout, for in the course of time he even succeeded in 

 overcoming this last difficulty. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Observations respecting the proceedings that resulted from Oomiah and the 

 Naiks accusing Dboondoo Punt of having shared plundered property with 

 them. — The Ramoossy Naiks employed to seize some robbers in the Ma- 

 wills, — Government present Oomiah with a chour of land (120 begahs) iu 

 enam. — The number of men he is to employ is fixed, and their pay, — He 

 ^ains confidence, and is disposed to indulge in his predatory habits.— Many 

 idle and needy persons resort to Sakoordy, — Oomiah supplies them with 

 grain. — He begins to investigate and decide complaints, and finding the per- 

 sons concerned, adopts measures to prevent his proceedings becoming known. 

 ■ — Places those who object to his proceedings under restraint. — He pays a 

 visit to the Rajah of Satara, who presents him with a turban and dress.— 

 The Kykaries.- -They commit a robbery and are seized ; Oomiah employs 

 them at Sakoordy, — Tney plunder a house at Pinggory ; the robbery traced ; 

 proceedings in consequence. — A Goassyne merchant plundered at Lonud, — 

 The Kykaries proceed to Moreshwur and plunder two houses, — They plunder 

 a house at Belsur, — Oomiah pays the Magistrate of Poona a visit, — The pay 

 of his establishment increased. — The Ramoossies plunder a banker at Kal- 

 lian. — They plunder a bankei-'s property near Chouk. — They plunder a rich 

 native going to Kolapoor, 



Regarding the measures that were pursued in relation to 

 the terms and pardon that were granted to Oomiah and his 

 followers on this occasion, it is not my intention to say 

 much, being unacquainted with the particulars. Although 

 I have heard much from the natives on the subject, I shall 

 only observe, that the trial of Dhoondoo Punt, the principal 

 Brahmun in the office of the Collector and Magistrate of 

 Poona, whom the Ramoossy Naiks accused of exciting and 

 urging them to continue the late disturbance, and of sharing 

 with them the profits arising from the contributions the y 

 levied from the inhabitants, led to the most violent disputes 

 between the different gentlemen who conceived themselves 

 more or less connected with the proceedings that had ta- 

 ken place, the one party positively asserting, that the Brah- 

 mun was guilty, and clearly proved to be so ; while the 

 opposite party as stoutly affirmed his innocence, and that 



