the distance of twenty-five years, Sir John Malcolm represents Bhopal as not then recovered from the effects of their visitation. On the return of these faithful instruments to Nagpore, the Rajah very unceremoniously surrounded their camp, plundered them of all the moveables of which they had plundered the unhappy inhabitants of Bhopal, and threw one of their chiefs into prison.
A noted leader amongst the Pindarries was Kurreem Khan, until he became powerful enough to excite the jealousy of Scindia, by whom he was thrown into prison for four years. He purchased his freedom with six lacs of rupees,[1] and was joined in his subsequent outrages by another notorious chief, named Cheetoo, who, having betrayed his friend and colleague into the hands of his enemies, set up for himself as chief leader of the Pindarries. He fixed his abode amidst the hills and forests situated between the north bank of the Nerbudda and the Vindhya mountains, the practice of these miscreants being to cross the river as soon as it was fordable after the rains, generally in November, and indiscriminately plunder friends and foes.
During the season of 1816-17, the ravages of the Pindarries extended over a wider expanse of territory than had ever before been attempted. Having crossed the Nerbudda with ten thousand horsemen, they separated into two lubhurs, or plundering bands; one of which proceeded due south into the country of the Nizam, and reached the banks of the Godavery. The other marched eastward, and entered the Company's territory of Ganjam, where, in the course of twelve days, they killed and wounded nearly 7,000 persons, and carried off or destroyed property to the value of £100,000, A third party crossed the Taptee, at Burhampoor, and overran the dominions of the Peishwa to some distance beyond Poonah.
Thus far the Pindarries had eluded the regular force stationed on- the Nerbudda, to check their inroad; yet, though they were still liable to be attacked by several
- ↑ 60,000l.
