1840.] 



Madras Literary Society^ Sj-c. 



183 



tempt of this nature in some Mahomedan cities, yet I hope you may 

 have formed an acquaintance with some Sheick or learned man, who 

 might be persuaded to aid in searching for, and purchasing for me, the 

 books I require. 



Should such a person exist, I shall be grateful if you wiil, with what- 

 ever precaution or secresy that may be deemed necessary, put the 

 accompanying Memoir into his hand, and invite him to meet my wishes, 

 by procuring for me the class of historical and military works, named 

 or indicated in it, not only in Arabic, but in Turkish, Cbagatai or Tar- 

 tar, in Persian, Hindostanee, and in all the indigenous languages of 

 India, 



But, not only do I look for books, but I should be greatly pleased 

 and aided, by any learned and intelligent Mahomedan gentleman or 

 officer (some of the latter of Western Asia having been of late years 

 educated in Europe) referring to my military memoir, and answering 

 my questions, one by one, and if he would give me in writing the infor- 

 mation I desire, including all military technical synonimous terras, of the 

 present as well as of past times. 



It is possible, in Egypt, Western Asia and Persia, and still more 

 likely in India, that some European gentlemen from long residence in 

 those countries, may be equal to answering the various Hems of ray 

 Memoir. I have reason to believe, that there are several intelligent 

 European Officers in the armies of the Osmanlr, of Mahomet Aly Pascha 

 and of Persia — thus situated— while in India, many Civilians and Of- 

 ficers of the India Company's Service, I know to be highly qualified to> 

 give me the aid I solicit, and who might, from advantages of vicinity and 

 other circumstances, enter fully upon the Mahomedan art of war in India, 

 of all past centuries, to the present time. 



If any gentleman in India, would thus enter into my views, I would 

 particularly point out (besides the past art of war of Persian and Tartar 

 origin and the collection of the past and existing military terms and 

 expressions, of the prej^ent native camps and armies) the ancient indi- 

 genous Hindoo mode of warfare, previous to, and wholly unconnected 

 with, that introduced by their northern conqueror, and to the military 

 terms (not forgetting the modern) either in the Sanscrit, or as preserved 

 in its cognate existing languages. 



I need hardly say, that I shall not be backward in acknowledging, both 

 privately and publicly any such assistance. 



I have limited the notices in my Memoir, to the end of the temporal 

 power of the Eastern Khalifs (334 H.) ; considering the details I have 



