Defence of the country-character of the native troops. Of the fervants of the Company-their emolu 370 ments unequal-conjecture regarding their future condition. 377 ERRATA. ERRATA. PAGE. 11 in the note, for Bagrat, read Bagvat. 15 1. 4. for Belloti, read Belloli. 51 1. 8. from bottom, for mariner, read mariners. 55 1. last, for is, read has been fuppofed. 184 1. 8. from bottom, for Hoffeim, read Hoffein. 192 bottom, for fradba, read fradha. 260 1. 2. from the bottom, for puianos, read puranas, 301 1. 5. from bottom, for price, read piece. 335 1. 11. for fail, read fall 339 1. 3. for Altork, read Attock. 355 1. 5. for fix hundred millions, read fix millions. INDIAN RECREATIONS. INTRODUCTION. Calcutta, Sept. 1796. THE peninfula of Hindoftan, containing all the principal fettlements which have been formed by the European nations on the continent of Afia, is in extent nearly equal to Europe. In geographical language, this name is applied only to that tract which is bounded on the west and east by the Indus and. the Barrampooter; on the north by the mountains of Thibet and Tartary; and on the fouth by the river Nirbudda, and the lower boundaries of Bengal and Bahar. The extremity of the peninfula, which contained nearly one half of the Mogul empire, among the Indian geographers, received the appellation of Deccan, or South*. In the ancient language A Vid. Major Rennel's Mem. p. 19. Introd. of of Hindoftan, this name is not found; the country is in the Sanftreet styled Bharata. The name of India was adopted by the Greeks, from the Perfians, and is of comparatively modern application *. period long before the most ancient European records, this part of Afia had attained to fome degree of civilization, and had made confiderable progress in the arts of life. Since the earliest commencement of authentic history in Europe, its manufactures, fcience, and religion, have attracted the attention of every state in that quarter of the world. OUR admiration of what is ancient, has, however, been exceffive; and prompted hiftorians for upwards of twenty centuries to exaggerate their accounts of oriental attainments beyond the truth. The improvement of the Hindoos has, unquestionably, been much earlier than that of any nation in Europe; but it is equally certain that their attainments in almost all the arts are lefs confiderable: They are now nearly in the fame state as they were two thousand years agot, when they were far furpaffed in many particulars both by the Greeks and Romans. THEY, as well as the Chinese, have brought the more useful arts to a degree of perfection requifite for the common purposes of life; but the efforts ei ther * Vid. Tranflat. of the Hectopades, by Mr Wilkins, p. 332. Dr Robertfon's Difquif. Appendix. |