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the map) are accounted impregnable, to mere force. According to the arrangement of its boundaries, Rairee and Jeneahgur, the strong-holds of Sevajee, were not included in Baglana: for the latter, which answers to the Juneer of Capt. Reynolds, is to the south of Nafsuck Trimbuck; which is itself beyond the southern limits of Baglana. For, according to Abdul Humeed, it extended from the sea coast near Surat, which was its western boundary, to the borders of Dowlatabad (or Aurungabad) eastward; in length 100 common cofses; and in breadth, from Naderbar and Sultanpour, on the north, to Nafsuck Trimbuck, on the south, 70 cofses. Shahnawaz, although he agrees with Abdul Humeed, in the length, allows only 30 for the breadth. It certainly is not 70 cofses, and yet much more than 30, in distance between the afsigned limits on the north and south: so that there appears an error in both their numbers.

Being encompassed (says Capt. Kirkpatrick) by Guzerat, Dowlatabad, and Candeish, it owed its independence, not to its natural strength, but to the address of its rajahs; who courted the princes of those kingdoms, but without ever waiting personally on any of them. Whenever the conquest of it was attempted by any one of these princes, the other two armed in its defence. This curious fact, which (says he) I take from the emperor Jehanguire, shews that the balance of power was carefully attended to, by these sovereigns; and also denotes the important advantage that either would have gained over the other, by the possession of Baglana. When the surrounding kingdoms succefsively fell to the Mogul power, the rajah, for the first time, acknowledged a superior, and visited the court of Acbar. But even then, the Moguls contented themselves with a tribute only; until the rapid progress of Aurungzebe's conquests and power in the Deccan. Its revenue, previous to the Mogul conquest, was about 80,000l.

Shahnawaz confirms the report of Jehanguire, concerning the political conduct of the rajahs of Baglana, towards their powerful

neighbours. The person here quoted, is the Shahnawaz Khan, who makes so conspicuous a figure, as the minister of Salabid Jung, in Mr. Orme's history. I apprehend that it is also the same person, whom Capt. Kirkpatrick quotes on the subject of the boundaries of Cashgar, in page 195.

Some general information respecting the situation of the teek forests, and of the extent of the British conquests in 1780 and 1781, along the western foot of the Gauts, between Bafseen and Surat, was obligingly communicated by Mr. Hunter, of the EastIndia direction, and by Mr. Holmes. The teek forests, from whence the marine yard at Bombay is furnished with that excellent species of ship-timber, lie along the western side of the Gaut mountains, and other contiguous ridges of hills, on the north and north-east of Bafseen: the numerous rivulets that descend from them affording water-carriage for the timber. I cannot close this subject, without remarking the unpardonable negligence we are guilty of, in delaying to build teek ships of war, for the service of the Indian seas. They might be freighted home, without the ceremony of regular equipment, as to masts, sails, and furniture; which might be calculated just to answer the purpose of the home passage, at the best season: and crews could be provided in India. The letter subjoined in a note, and which was written with the best intentions, will explain the circumstances of the case.* Teek ships of 40 years old and upwards, are no uncommon objects in

Frequent have been the opportunities I have had, of observing how very rapid the decay of ships built of European timber is, in the East Indies; and on the contrary, how durable the ships are that are built of the wood of that country, namely, the TEEK; which may not improperly be styled INDIAN OAK. The number of ships of war that were ruined in those seas, during the late war (1757 to 1762), may be admitted as a proof of the former remark; and the great age of the ships built in India, may serve to prove the latter. What I mean to infer from this, for your lordships' use is, that ships of war under third rates, may be constructed in India; and, with moderate repairs, last for ages: whereas a ship of European construction can remain there but a very few years: to which disadvantage may be added, that of losing, in the mean time, the services of the ships that are sent to relieve the worn-out ones.

"Bengal produces iron and hemp; and the neighbouring forests, pine masts: nothing is wanted to bring all these into use, but a fit opportunity, and proper encouragement,

"August 20, 1778."

the Indian seas: while an European built ship is ruined there, in five years. The ships built at Bombay are the best, both in point of workmanship and materials, of any that are constructed in India: and although fourth rates only, are mentioned in the letter, there is no doubt but that third rates may be constructed; as there is a choice of timber. The Spaniards build capital ships in their foreign settlements. The East-India Company have a teek ship on her fourth voyage at present;* which ship has repeatedly wintered in England: therefore any objection founded on the effects of frost on the teek timber, is done away.

That is, in 1788, [She is now, 1792, equipping for her seventh voyage. The ship alluded to, is the Britannia, Capt. Edward Cumming.]

SECTION V.

The Countries contained in that Part of the PENINSULA, lying on the South of the KISTNAH River.

THIS HIS tract, which in extent is not a fifth part larger than the Bengal provinces; yet, by its political divisions, by the talents and ambition of its princes, and moreover, by their being stimulated by the different European powers, whose mercantile views led them thither; has furnished, of late years, more matter for speculation and history, than all the rest of the Mogul empire put together.* But although it has been the theatre of repeated wars between the Europeans and the natives, as well as between the Europeans themselves; yet so ample a supply of geographical matter has not been supplied, as by the wars and negociations in the north. The geography of some of the western parts of the peninsula, is as little known to us, as that of the central parts of Hindoostan.

It is lamentable to a feeling mind, to reflect how large a portion of their miseries the unhappy natives of the Carnatic owe to the English: I mean from the insufficient protection afforded them, at the commencement of the war of 1780. The saying of the old woman to Philip, "BE NO LONGER KING," might well have been applied to the executive government in the Carnatic. Much eloquence has been employed in describing the wretched state of the inhabitants of Bengal; when, in reality, they are to be clafsed among the happiest nations throughout Asia. Poets deal in fiction: but a plain tale of woe will best describe the sufferings of the helpless inhabitants of the Carnatic, during Hyder's invasion. And here I cannot refuse a tribute of applause to the character and abilities of the nobleman, who assumed the government of Madras, at a period when the British interests could hardly be said to have an existence in the Carnatic; Hyder having nearly the entire pofsefsion of the whole country. I cannot express my opinion of this nobleman's character, in a more forcible manner, than by regretting that such shining talents, controlled by a disinterested mind, should not be employed for the benefit of the public.

The figure of this tract is a triangle, of which the course of the Kistnah river forms the base, and the coasts of Coromandel and Malabar, the sides. Its extent from the Kistnah to Cape Comorin, which forms the apex of the triangle, is about 600 British miles; and its breadth, in the widest part, is about 550.

The construction of the sea coasts, has been already described in the first Section; and that of the course of the Kistnah river, in the latter part of the fourth.

Madras, or Fort St. George, as has been observed (in page 13), lies in lat. 13° 5′, lon. 80° 25'; and close on the margin of the sea. It is the principal settlement of the British East-India Company, on the east side of the peninsula; and is a fortress of very great strength, including within it a regular, well-built city. But as it was impofsible to fortify and garrison, in an effectual manner, a city of such extent as the political and commercial consequence of Madras, must give birth to; there is a second city, separated from Madras, by the breadth of a proper esplanade only; and although near four miles in circuit, is fortified in such a manner, as to prevent a surprise from the enemy's horse; an evil to which every open town in the Carnatic is subject, from the drynefs and evenness of the country. Madras was settled by the English about the year 1640; and was hardly defensible, until the destruction of Fort St. David, in 1758, pointed out the necefsity of making it so. It is now, perhaps, one of the best fortrefses in the pofsefsion of the British nation: and although not of so regular a design as Fort William, in Bengal, yet from the greater facility of relieving it by sea, and the natural advantages of ground, which leaves the enemy lefs choice in the manner of conducting his attacks; it may on the whole, be deemed at least equal to it.

Madras, in common with all the other European settlements on this coast, has no port for shipping; the coast forming nearly a straight line: and it is also incommoded with a high and dangerous

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