70 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
their parents while they were yet boys, for my grand- 
mother did not hesitate to follow her deceased lord to the 
funeral pile. Yonder is the mhut which records her 
virtue. Praised be Brahma ! 
“ The estate of my grandsire was equally divided 
between his twin sons, Bhagut and my father ; but 
they being still children, their property was placed in 
the charge of their relations, who faithlessly squandered 
the greater portion of it for their own enjoyment ; — 
may they meet with their reward ! — And thus our 
family became again impoverished, and were compelled 
to seek such employment as was consistent with their 
caste. Having both been betrothed in marriage shortly 
before their father’s death, they in their youth thirsted 
for glory, and promising to return in the course of two 
years to claim their brides, they enlisted under the 
standards of the Maharhattas, and marched against the 
English forces ; but Brahma was not pleased that they 
should engage in the dangers of warfare, for Hyder Ali 
having at this time invaded the Carnatic, the British 
General in 1802 concluded a treaty of peace with the 
Maharhattas, restoring all conquest except the island of 
Salsette ; and the arms of the Maharhattas being hence- 
forward frequently turned against the peaceful occu- 
piers of the soil, Bhagut and my father became 
disgusted with their marauding system of plunder, and 
returned to Ghazipore ; where they claimed their brides 
and took them home to the house which they shared in 
common. 
