பக்கம்:வீரத் தலைவர் பூலித்தேவர்.pdf/70

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இப்பக்கம் மெய்ப்பு பார்க்கப்படவில்லை

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வீரத் தலைவர் பூலித்தேவர்



there was not a single piece in the fort. This description only suits Washinelore, for the other forts in the Madura, and Tinivelly countries have parapets with loop-holes to their ramparts, as well as to their towers; but all are of earth, excepting Madura and Palamcotah. The colleries on this side of the Tinivelly country, possess nothing of the ugliness or deformity which generally characterize the inhabitants of the hills and wilds of India. They are tall, well-made, and well-featured. Their arms are lances and pikes, bows and arrows, rockets, and match-locks, but whether with or without other weapons, every man constantly wears a sword and shield. In battle, the different arms move in distinct bodies; but the lancemen are rated the most eminent, and lead all attacks. This weapon is 18 feet long; they tie under the point a tuft of scarlet horse-hair, and when they attack horse, add a small bell. Without previous exercise, they assemble in a deep column pressing close together, and advance at a long steady step, in some degree of time, their lances inclining forward, but aloft, of which the elasticity and vibration, with the jingle, dazzle and scare the cavalrys and their approach is scarcely less formidable to infantry not disciplined with firearms. The importance of Washinelore, and the great force which was come against it, brought