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Rh agreed, was not intended to apply, and could, not apply, to native battalions officered by foreigners. Notwithstanding, then, the displeasure frequently expressed by the Madras Government, Raymond, under the Nizám's orders, continued to augment the disciplined native troops.

His plan of procedure was different to de Boigne's, and had some advantages over it. These, however, were owing to the larger European material available in his hands. Thus he was able to fix the complement of the European officers to each regiment at eight, of the men at 750.

By the beginning of the year 1795 Raymond had under his command 15,000 disciplined troops, formed into twenty battalions, and officered, including the staff, by 124 Europeans. It was the most formidable body of native troops in the service of a native prince in India. For their support the Nizám assigned to Raymond several districts.

Nevertheless, the first essay of these troops on the the field of battle was destined to be unfortunate. In the beginning of 1795 the Nizám, incited by the anarchy prevailing at the Court of Púna, declared war against the Péshwa, and marched to overthrow the Maráthá Empire. The Péshwa summoned his vassals and raised an army to meet him. The two armies met between Kardlá and Parindá, the 12th March, 1795. Raymond had all his men in the field; whilst the Maráthás were aided by twenty-six battalions composed of the men of the