243 
1883.] J. Beanies —Notes on the History of northern Orissa. 
stand against them. The Marathas were not blood-thirsty, their object 
was plunder, but of that they were insatiable. Too contemptuous of the 
Oriyas to take any great precautions, they seem to have wandered about 
in small bands stripping the country bare as they went. 
In 1750 with Janoji’s return matters grew worse and we find Mr. 
Kelsall reporting that, owing to the disturbances in the country, he 
could not “ purchase any ready money goods, as the weavers or greater 
part of them have been obliged to abscond.” 
Stirling would appear to be correct as to an invasion in 1753, 
(though I do not think Janoji himself could have been with it), for the 
Resident at Balasore writes from Balramgarhi on 1st February of that year 
in a very desponding tone—“ Weavers at Balasore complain of the great 
scarcity of rice and provisions of all kinds occasioned by the devastation 
of the Mahrattas, who, GOO in number, after plundering Balasore had gone 
to the Nellegreen (Nilgiri?) hills; several weavers have brought their 
looms into the factory, and the few who remain declare they shall be 
obliged to quit the place. Desires he will send him 1500 or 2000 maunds 
of rice on the Honorable Company’s account.” 
The residency at Cuttack does not seem to have been established 
till 1757, nearly a hundred years later than Balasore ; for there is a letter 
dated 24th July of that year from Mr. John Bristow urging that he be 
allowed to hoist the Company’s flag there. Again in 1759 Mr. Gray is 
directed to stay at Cuttack as long as he can with safety to himself, to 
keep the Government informed of the proceedings of the “ Morattoes.” 
Even so late as 1760 the English do not seem to have contem¬ 
plated that the Marathas would permanently retain Orissa, though one 
would have thought that they must have heard of the treaty in 1755, in 
spite of which “ Mr. John Burdett at Balasore requests to be allowed to 
keep the spies allowed for that Factory, while the Marathas remain in the 
country, otherwise it will he impossible for him to acquaint us with their 
motions.” (March 27.) 
It appears in fact that the Marathas were bad neighbours, and not 
careful to confine themselves within their treaty boundaries. Long 
after 1755 the Burdwan Raja collected and kept up troops from fear of 
them and “ Gawsib Singh the Jellasore zamadar, a man of great valour” 
was sent into Midnapore to protect the ryots. Pattaspore being in the 
hands of the Marathas, Jellasore mnst have been a very exposed position, 
a long narrow strip in fact of the Nawab’s territory stretching far down 
into the country held by the Marathas, and consequently exposed to in¬ 
roads from them. The collection of troops by the Bard wan Raja was 
probably simply a feint and was seen through, and he was ordered to dis¬ 
band them. Sheo Bhat Santra was the first Maratha Subadar of Orissa, 
