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188 called for correction; protecting themselves by strong forts, and defying the central Government of Calcutta, they harboured gangs of banditti and disorganised the districts over which they had usurped an unjust authority. In the early part of 1817 Lord Hastings put an end to their depredations by the destruction of Háthras, the stronghold of the principal chief of the province, and the most formidable fortress in that part of India. The speedy reduction of the place was of considerable importance, for it was deemed to be impregnable by the natives, and a success of this kind was much wanted, 'to retrieve our military character in the article of sieges .' The remaining chieftains, after this, promptly submitted, and surrendered their forts, eleven in number, some of which were very strong, without any further resistance. All these works were then dismantled, the forces belonging to them were disbanded, and the Tálukdárs were allowed to retain in their service only a few armed attendants for the defence of their households. In this way was peace re-established in the province; but as the incident illustrates the military ability of the Governor-General, and the reforms he introduced in the Company's armies, it will perhaps be interesting to add a few words upon the subject. We can best do this in Lord Hastings' own words: —

'One of my earliest military cares,' he writes in the Summary of his administration, just quoted, 'had been to satisfy