1835.] 



History of the Ramoossies. 



129 



It was Oomiah's decided wish to strike a blow should 

 ft favourable opportunity offer, in hope that it would give 

 encouragement to those who had espoused his cause, and 

 the numerous disaffected persons who were anticipating 

 advantages which might be desired, from the confusion 

 Yvrhich would thus be produced in the country. It was not 

 his plan to incur the risk of fighting our troops on fair or 

 equal terms, but to harass, distress, and fatigue them by 

 rapidity of movement, by means of false reports, and keep- 

 ing as much concealed as possible, never making a stand 

 when discovered, unless it was in strong ground, when he 

 could reckon on effecting a safe retreat. He well knew 

 that he must meet our troops at great disadvantage. It 

 was therefore his policy to avoid by every means meeting 

 with us, and above all to prevent the inhabitants from tak- 

 ing any active part against him. 



It ought to have been noticed before, that nine of his 

 Sibundies quitted Oomiah on the 12th, and proceeded to 

 Poona, conformably to the collector's order sent the pre- 

 ceding day to Sakoordy ; so that of the men in the pay 

 of Government, ninety still remained with him. Of these, 

 thirty were Hetkurries,* and there were thirty more of 

 these men who lived at Sakoordy and Jejoory on Oomiah's 

 bounty, and who now joined his standard ; so that the 

 gang in the present instance, was much more formidable 

 than during the former Bund, for the Poorundur Kolies 

 had joined the Ramoossies on the present occasion. 



The Ramoossy Naiks had profited by the experience 

 they had gained in the former Bund, and by the result of 

 the disturbance that had taken place during two succes- 

 sive years in the Ahmednuggur district, and the Kitore 

 country. 



* These men were particularly well armed. Their pms were stocked after 

 the European mode, and had locks, the barrel being that of a matchlock gun ; 

 they carry a sword and dagger also, and provide themselves with powder of a 

 better description than is generally procurable in the bazars. It maybe fur- 

 ther observed, that those are the same description of men who proved of such 

 eminent service to Sewajee during his extraordinary and adventurous career, 

 when he wrested for himself a kingdom from the formidable but disunited M;i- 

 hommedan Princes of the Dukhan. They are of the aijriculturate class, and 

 ai-e considered able, good and extremely faithful soldiers. Tiie)- are inha- 

 bitants of a district called Hett, near S'awiiut wary in the Konkan, 



