Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/201

Rh as speedily as was possible, his commercial affairs, which, however, he left in full action in the hands of agents, he hastened to Mathurá, where Mádhají then had his head quarters. His proposals were at once agreed to. He was authorised to raise a corps d'armée consisting of thirteen battalions of infantry, of 500 cavalry, and of sixty guns.

De Boigne went to his task with his accustomed energy. He reclaimed the two battalions he had drilled and commanded before. A third battalion was formed of the soldiers who had been raised and drilled by the Frenchman, Lesteneau, but who, mutinying for arrears of pay, had, on the advice of de Boigne, been disbanded. He had to enlist men from Rohilkhand and Oudh for seven more battalions. All these were dressed and drilled on the European principle. But, in addition to these ten battalions, de Boigne raised three more of Afgháns, dressed in their national costume, and armed with matchlocks and bayonets. For the service of the camp he raised 500 Méwátis, dressed and armed as irregular troops.

The corps d'armée thus consisted of 8500 regular infantry, 2400 Afgháns, 500 Méwátis, 500 cavalry, and 100 artillerymen. Each regiment was commanded by a European officer. These officers were men of all nations, many of them British, and in many instances respectable by birth, education, and character. There were always