124 



History of the Ranioossies. 



[April 



ing this trouhlesome character, who by his activity and 

 cunning had hitherto escaped with impunity, notwithstand- 

 ing the numerous crimes he had committed. 



The collector with his usual zeal exerted himself to con- 

 ciliate the Naiks, and urged them to remain faithful to their 

 duty. But as no reliance could be placed on these men, 

 and as much activity and excitement existed at Sakoordy, 

 it was finally resolved to march a detachment into the 

 Poorundur district to act against the Ramoossies, should 

 they set the Government authority at defiance. 



Previously to my quitting Poena for Poorundur, an or- 

 der was written by the magistrate, and several copies of it 

 given to the three Ramoossy Naiks, who had been at Poona 

 for some days. The order was dated lith January, 1831, 

 and addressed to the tvrelve Naiks, (including Oomiah's 

 name,) and their men in the pay of Government, directing 

 them to repair to Sassoor, (only six miles from Sakoordy) 

 on Friday the 14th January; and having reported their ar- 

 rival to the officer commanding the detachment, they were 

 directed to obey such orders as he might issue to them ; 

 and that in the event of their disobeying this order they 

 would be considered as rebels, and treated accordingly. 



Much pains had been taken in explaining to the three 

 Naiks, the propriety of their exerting their utmost efforts 

 to dissuade the other Naiks from acting in opposition to the 

 orders of Government, and the inevitable ruin and dis- 

 tress they would entail on themselves and families, if they 

 disregarded the advice now given to them. 



The three Naiks proceeded to Sakoordy, solemnly de- 

 claring that they would punctually repair to Sassoor on 

 the 1 4th, v/hether they were joined by the others or not ; 

 and that they were determined not to act so foolishly and 

 madly as to join men who would think of fighting against 

 the state. 



Early in January there were reports in circulation, that 

 the Ramoossies intended to commence their depredations 

 immediately. On the night of the 8th January, two men 

 of the Pcona horse who halted at Wurky on their route 

 to join their detachment at Soopah, were attacked by a 

 body of armed men^ who wounded and then plundered 



