1834.] 



History of the Ramoossies, 



21S 



eighty and ninety years of age,) who have been questioned on this 

 point, say, that they have always understood that there were a 

 number of families settled to the north of the Neera, and about the 

 Poorundur hills, many years before Seevajee was born, but that it 

 was during Seevajee's time, when he commenced his struggles with 

 the Mahomedan states, that the Ramoossies flocked to his standard. 



They are said to have always favored Seevajee's interests, and 

 on many occasions to have exerted themselves greatly in his ser- 

 vice, causing unceasing annoyance to the Mahomedans, who 

 had detachments stationed in various parts of the country, for 

 the purpose of overa.v^ing the evil and disloyal portion of the popu- 

 lation, who were be'ebming at this period, very numerous. The 

 Ramoossies were in the habit of plundering the Mahomedans du* 

 ring the night ; attacking the houses, or tents, of their principal 

 leaders, and carrying off much valuable property ; besides they 

 were very successful in depriving them of their horses and camels, 

 and carrying off some of their elephants. Oomiah's family preserve 

 a letter from the Rajah of Satara, the date of which is uncertain 

 but it is addressed to Wurdojee, one of Oomiah's ancestors, applaud- 

 ing the dexterity with which he had plundered the Mahomedan com- 

 mandant at Seerwill, and his steady conduct subsequently when he 

 was captured, and directing Wardoojee to repair to the presence'' 

 in order that he might be rewarded for having discharged his duty 

 $0 gallantly. The old men among them relate a number of anec- 

 dotes connected with exploits of their forefathers, when employed 

 under Seevajee.* 



At the period of Seevajee's first occupying the fort Singhur, or 

 according to the natives, Seogur, he was extremely anxious to get 

 possession of the fort of Poorundur (one of the many names of the 

 god Indur, and not Poonadhur, as written by some Europeans,) a 

 detachment proceeded from Singhur accompanied by a party of 

 Ramoossies to surprise, if possible, the Mahomedan garrison, and 

 capture the place ; — after much difficulty and labour they scram- 

 bled up a steep part of the hill unobserved, and a Ramoossy con- 

 trived to ascend the wall, to the top of which he attached the rope 

 ladders, which they had carried with them. The Ramoossies armed 

 with swords and spears, were now ascending the fort wall when the 

 sentry in the vicmity descried them, and lost no time in cutting the 

 ropes • upon which the escalading party were all precipitated to the 



• This must have been from about one hundred and fifty to one hundred 

 tQd seventy five years ago; for Seevajee was only born A. J). 1628. 



