Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 718

THE CAMP COMMISSARIAT
678
The art of laying out camps is as little known to Indian
generals as that of marching an army.
The greatest con-
fusion always reigns both in their encampments and on the
march. When an army makes a halt, the most important
point, of course, is to see that there is a good supply of water
close at hand.
This is not always to be found where it is
wanted, especially at certain times of the year, and whole
armies have been reduced to the direst straits by being
temporarily deprived of this indispensable element, the want
of which is much more keenly felt in a tropical climate than
elsewhere.
An officer usually goes on ahead, selects a suitable site for
the camp, and there sets up a large flag, which is visible from
a long distance.
Each division then encamps in any sort of
order beyond this landmark.
Each chief pitches his tent in
the midst of his own followers, and hoists his distinctive
banner. Confusion and disorder prevail everywhere.
Things are, however, a little more orderly around the com-
mander-in-chief's tent.
Fairly good discipline is also main-
tained in the spot set apart as a market-place. Here pro-
visions and commodities of various kinds, pillaged from the
country through which the army has passed, are exposed for
sale
for the progress of an Indian army is always attended
by fire, sword, and robbery. In fact, it is considered un-
necessary and troublesome to establish regular depots for
provisions, or in fact to make commissariat arrangements of
any kind. It was only when an army was obliged to pass
through a country which had already been devastated that
these precautions were considered necessary.
Strings of
bullocks were then employed with the army to carry its
provisions.
At all other times the chiefs relied for their
commissariat on a crowd of purveyors attracted by the hope
of gain, and especially on the Lambadis, or Sukcders, profes-
sional pillagers, whom I have already described, and who
kept the camp market well supplied by their continual raids
on the unfortunate inhabitants of the surrounding country.
The most abominable debauchery is openly authorized
among the soldiery, especially in Mahomedan armies.
special quarter in the camp is set apart for the vile and
depraved wretches who give themselves up to this hideous
form of prostitution.
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