xxrt 
CONTENTS. 
the latter exiled into forests and mountains. . inscriptions relating to this history 
. . and the great probability of the excavations having been executed by the 
exiled Pandoos. . similar grottos in Egypt. . written mountains in Arabia, .re- 
markable passage in the book of Job. . engravings on rocks and stones. . cemetery 
in the desert of Sinai Conquest of Salsette, Curanjah, Elephanta, and some 
smaller islands, by the English in 1774. . siege of Tannah. » description of those 
new acquisitions 423 
CHAPTER XV. 
The author obtains an appointment among the civil servants attached to the British 
detachment ordered from Bombay, to assist Ragonath-Row, peshwa of the Mah- 
rattas, then driven from his capital, and at the head of an army in Guzerat. . 
origin of the Mahratta empire, .epitome of the Hindoos in general, .derivation of 
the Mahratta name. . Shajee the founder of the empire. . his son, Sevajee, assumes 
the title of rajah. . his wars with Aurungzebe, depredations in the Mogul empire, 
and death in 1680. .misfortunes and death of his son Sambajee by Aurungzebe. . 
military character of the Mahrattas. , great increase of their army. . Raje-Ram. . 
his widow assumes the government, .dreadful scenes in the Mogul empire on the 
death of Aurungzebe. . its rapid decline, subsequent plunder of Delhi by Nadir 
Shah, and wanton cruelties on the destruction of the Mogul power at the conclu- 
sion of the eighteenth century. . Saojee, the son of Sambojee, escapes from the 
Moguls, and ascends the Mahratta throne. . constitutes the great council. . rapid 
rise of the brahmin family of Ballajee. . Ballajee advanced to the dignity of pesh- 
wa. . supersedes the power and splendour of the rajah, and becomes in fact sove- 
reign of the Mahrattas. . success of the Mahrattas, and increase of their dominions 
under the administration of Ballajee Bajerow and Nanna Saib. . situation of 
Poonah, the capital of the empire. . progress of the Mahrattas in the art of 
war. .battle of Panniput. . death of Nanna Saib. . accession of Mhadarow. . 
disputes with his uncle Ragobah. . foreign wars. . success, and death of Mha 
derow. . conduct to his brother Narrain Row on his death-bed. . last interview 
with his wife, .his noble behaviour and provision for her widowhood, .her resolu- 
tion to devote herself on his funeral pyre ; fortitude and dignity on that trying 
occasion. . accession of Narrain Row ; weak and irresolute character of that prince 
