146 
POONAH. 
Rampoora ; but unfortunately despising his enemy too much, had 
his supplies of provisions cut off, and was obliged to make a retreat, 
in which he was pursued by Holcar, and lost a great number of 
men, and all his ammunition and cannon. It is probably in some 
respects fortunate that Holcar has been thus drawn to the north- 
ward, where he can make no impression against General Lake s 
army, as he might otherwise have plundered the plains ofGuzerat, 
and done incalculable mischief to the Guikwar, an evil that is now 
prevented by the success of Colonel Wallace. 
The original Mahratta system of warfare had been greatly changed 
by Scindiah : instead of vast bodies of cavalry, which by forced 
marches would attack an unsuspecting province, and retire with 
their booty before a sufficient force could be assembled to resist 
them, he attempted to establish an army of infantry, disciplined 
after the European system, and commanded by European officers. 
As these increased in numbers, he diminished the other, but for- 
tunately was seduced by his vanity into a war with the British, be- 
fore his plans had been matured. Warned by his fate, Holcar 
has, in a great degree, depended on his cavalry, of which he has 
eighteen thousand, independent of twelve thousand Pindanis, or 
undisciplined free hooters, while his infantry does not amount to 
above ten thousand men. Such a force as this can make little resist- 
ance to the army opposed to him, when under General Wellesley, 
whose appearance will give confidence to all. As he will undoubt- 
edly have the same powers from the Governor-General of nego- 
tiating, as well as fighting, no delay need intervene in restoring 
tranquillity to the country. This is one great advantage in em- 
ploying an officer, in whom the Supreme Government can place 
