Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/224

196 believe that the power of the Mahommedan rule might be revived in the ruins of Púna. He accordingly assembled an army at Bídr, and advanced thence towards the Maráthá frontier.

Nizám Ali had some reason for his confidence. Besides some 70,000 irregular infantry he had serving in his army 15,000 regulars, commanded by a very famous Frenchman, M. Raymond, a man who had served under Bussy, and whose name still lives revered in the Dekhan. To support these Nizám Ali led into the field 20,000 horsemen and a due proportion of artillery.

To meet this formidable invasion the Péshwa summoned all his vassal chieftains. Daolát Ráo Sindia brought 25,000 men; Rághújí Bhonslá 15,000; Holkar 10,000; Paréshrám Bháo 7000. Other contingents increased the total number to 130,000; and besides these there were 10,000 Pindáris.

But the great strength of the Péshwa's army consisted in the brigades commanded by the quondam French sailor. Perron had ten of de Boigne's trained battalions, amounting with cavalry and artillery to about 10,000 men. There were also serving under his orders six battalions commanded by Filoze, amounting with guns and cavalry, to about 5000 men; and four by Hessing, amounting to 3000.

Holkar, too, brought similarly trained troops unto the field, viz., four battalions of about 3000 men, commanded by the Chevalier Dudrenec; and two of 1500 led by Major Boyd.