1835.] 



History of the Ramoossies, 



241 



know that there v/ere upwards of twelve thousand Pur- 

 dessies lately in the Bombay army, it may be truly said, 

 that the inhabitants of the Konkan, and the Dekhan, 

 have not for some length of time been treated with 

 that degree of consideration and regard, that their 

 claims and merits demanded. It ought not to be forgotten, 

 that it was those parts of the country that furnished the 

 active, hardy, and faithful sepoys that first established, 

 and have maintained the high character, and distin- 

 guished reputation of the native army of this Presi- 

 dency. 



Although it may be considered advisable to employ a 

 few Purdessies in the different regiments, with the view 

 of increasing the number of mixed castes in each corps, 

 still from five to eight men a company, would be quite 

 sufficient for all purposes. A much larger or unlimited 

 number, might be sanctioned for the service of the Caval- 

 ry if deemed necessary^ but both justice and policy require 

 that a more liberal and ample provision should be made 

 for such men of our own provinces as feel disposed to 

 seek employment by entering the ranks of our army. 

 The firm footing we have established in India, is main- 

 ly to be ascribed to the admirable management, and ar- 

 rangements, connected with the constitution of our na- 

 tive army. The wise and judicious system of recruit- 

 ing, invaliding, and pensioning, with all the attendant 

 comforts, has hitherto insured the devoted attachment 

 of the men ; but our situation in many respects is much 

 altered; the spirit of rivalship and enmity that existed 

 for such a length of time among the natives, and which 

 led to our being often brought forward as the mediators 

 in their quarrels, is nearly extinct. Our open enemies are 

 now comparatively few, while our secret foes have in- 

 creased in number. We have become the supreme 

 rulers of a most extensive onpire, and the advantages 

 and rewards we confer on the natives of the country, 



