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at proper posts on our frontier to prevent any future incursions from the Sannyasi Fakirs, or any other roving Banditti,, a measure which only the extra-ordinary audacity of their last incursions have manifested to be necessary. This will be effected without employing many troops, and I hope in no future time the Sannyasis shall again suffer from this cause.—Hastings to Sir George Colebroke—dated 31st March 1773.
The Sannyasis threatened us with the same disturbances from the beginning of this year as we experienced from them the last. But by being easily provided to oppose them, and one or two severe checks which they received in their first attempt, we have kept the country clear of them. A party of horse which we employed in pursuit of them chiefly contributed to intimidate these ravagers who seemed to pay little regard to our sepoys, having so much the advantage of them in speed, on which they entirely rely for their safety. It is my intention to proceed more effectually against them bý expelling them from their fixed residences which they have established in the north-eastern quarter of the province and by making severe examples of the Zamindars who have afforded them protection or assistance.—Histings to Lawrene—dated 20th March 1774.
APPENDIX II.
History of the Sannyasi Rebellion. From the "Annals of Rural Bengal."
"A set of lawless banditti" wrote the Council 1773, "known under the name of Sannyasis or Fakirs have long infested these countries, and
