Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/88

80 by a large detachment from Pondicherry; which it is probable he had only demanded for the greater security of his own baggage, which consisted of valuable effects. Maphuze Khan, satisfied with the advantage he had gained, left the sea-coast the day after the action, and proceeded to join his brother Mahomed-ally, who had taken the field.

The troops destined to attack Fort St. David assembled at Ariancopang, a small fort built by the French about two miles to the south-west of Pondicherry, and about one mile and a half from the sea: but the officers refusing to admit Mr. Paradis to command them, in prejudice to the right of his seniors in the service; the command was given to Mr. Bury, the oldest officer of the French troops in India.

The European troops in the service of the colonies established in Indostan, never consisted intirely of natives of that country to which the colony belongs: on the contrary, one half at least was composed of men of all the nations in Europe. The christians, who call themselves Portuguese, always formed part of a garrison: they are little superior in courage to the lower casts of Indians, and greatly inferior to the higher casts, as well as the northern Moors of Indostan; but because they learn the manual exercise and the duties of a parade with sufficient readiness, and are clad like Europeans, they are incorporated into the companies of European troops. From wearing a hat, these pretended Portuguese obtained amongst the natives of India the name of Topasses; by which name the Europeans likewise distinguish them. The Indian natives, and Moors, who are trained in the European manner, are called Sepoys: in taking our arms and military exercise, they do not quit their own dress or any other of their customs. The Sepoys are formed into companies and battalions, and commanded by officers of their own nation and religion. Those troops of the natives, who bring with them their own arms, and continue their own manner of using them, retain the names they bear in their several countries; but on the coast of Coromandel the Europeans distinguish all these undisciplined troops, whether armed with swords and targets, with bows and arrows, with pikes and lances, with match-locks, or even with muskets, by the general name of Peons.