211 



Htslonj of the Ramoossics. 



[July 



had their eyes destroyed, by ruiininp,- red hot spikes into them ; and 

 some time atterwaids, they were ])re(M[)it<ited IVoui the steepest dc- 

 chvities of the hill torts in the Punt Siieheu 's country for bein^^ 

 Efuilty of tbrming an intiniaey with some Br.dimuny women. Their 

 male children ot three and two years of aL!;e, even iid'ants six months 

 old, have been torn from their mothers' breasts, and cast to the 

 IVlangs to liave their throats cut. 



In the short account of the Poorunder Ramoossies, various in- 

 stances will be related of the cruelties which they have been sub- 

 jected to. 



There is no doubt but that during- the period the Peshwah's fa- 

 mily ruled the country, (about a century,) the most daring' and en- 

 terprisinj,- of the Ramoossy Naiks were frequently protected by Ja- 

 geerdars, and powerful Patells, and in many instances, by the Go- 

 vernment agent and officers, in authority. It is very certain that 

 the Naiks were both indirecily and directly encouraged to plunder, 

 and commit all sorts of depiadutions, by such persons, who receiv- 

 ed a valuable consideration, or a fixed share of the amount realiz- 

 ed by such means, and in general, thvjt it was only, when the pro- 

 pe ty of sonie rich or influential individual, or that of a person who 

 had a relative at court was plundered, that redress could be obtained* 

 The Ramoossy is well aware that money is all powerful, and al- 

 though no one could be more unwilling to part with it, than he is, 

 still when he saw pressing and seemingly unavoidable danger before 

 him, he, by a timely and judicious distribution of presents, purchased 

 impunity. Yet the Ramoossy's natural proneness to get into his hands 

 the property of others, urged him to follow these unlawful practises, 

 until he had either incurred the displeasure of his protector, or his 

 cupidity and rapacious habits, made him neglect giving bribes to 

 such as expected them, or who considered themselves entitled to 

 them. This brought matters to a crisis that terminated in his de- 

 struction. 



It is said the Ramoossies formerly were in habit of indulging 

 deeply in the spirit of revenge ; that it was even customary for the 

 parents, on their death bed, to remind their offspring of the ill treat- 

 ment they had experienced at the hands of any particular person, 

 and that they must not forget the obligations they were under of 

 being revenged, by discharging the debt when a favourable opportu- 

 nity offered of doing so ; however under the British sway, they find 

 the performance of such a task beset by imminent dangers, and. 

 consequently, thmk seldom of indulging their vindictive passions. 



