The account of Bombay in the Encyclopaedia, contains several interesting particulars relative to its soil, climate, and the manners of its inhabitants, and we propose, in the present article, to add such farther information as we have collected from the works of recent observers.
The Island of Bombay, which is the seat of Government for the western part of India, is situate in lat. 18° 50' N. and lon. 72° 56' E. Its length, from north to south, is 6½ miles, and its breadth, near the fort, is about a mile. It is separated from the mainland by an arm of the sea, and it forms, in conjunction with the adjacent islands of Colabah, Salsette, Butcher's Island, Elephanta, and Caranjah, a large, commodious, and well sheltered harbour. The north side of the harbour is partly formed by the Island of Colabah, which is separated from Bombay by a small creek, fordable at low water, and is about 2½ miles long. Near its southern extremity stands the light-house,—a building of a circular form, rising from the sea to the height of 150 feet, and showing its light at the distance of 21 miles. The Island of Salsette, which is about 20 miles long and 15 broad, is separated from Bombay by a narrow arm of the sea. Over this strait a causeway was constructed in 1805, which, by improving the communication with the mainland, is of infinite service to the surrounding country, with the produce of which Bombay is supplied; but it is said to have had a prejudicial effect on the harbour. Butcher's Island is nearly opposite to Bombay Castle, at the distance of three miles; and about two miles from this, and still fronting the fort, is the inconsiderable, but celebrated, Island of Elephanta. The two small Islands of Henery and Kenery, lie at the entrance of the harbour.
The town of Bombay is nearly a mile in length, from the Apollo Gate to that of the Bazar, and about a quarter of a mile broad in the widest part, from the Custom-house across the green to Church Gate, which is nearly in the centre, between the Apollo and the Bazar Gates. There are likewise two gates towards the sea, having commodious wharfs, and cranes built out from each, with a landing-place for passengers. Between these gates is Bombay Castle,—a regular quadrangle, built of hard and durable stone, and having the advantage, in one of the bastions, of a large reservoir of water. The fortifications are numerous, and they have been improved in proportion as the place has risen into greater importance from its increasing trade. They have lately received a considerable accession of strength from Dungane Hill, which commanded the town, having been included within the fort; and towards the sea they are extremely strong, the harbour being completely commanded by ranges of batteries placed one above another. But on the land side, its means of resistance are not so formidable; nor is this of much moment, as an enemy once landed, would find no difficulty in possessing himself of the place. A bombardment would, in a few hours, lay the town in ashes; and were the houses, which are lofty and made of combustible materials, once on fire, the troops could no longer preserve their station on the ramparts. Indeed, it is probable, that the destruction of the magazines would be the consequence of the conflagration of the adjacent buildings.
In the centre of the town is a large open space, called the Green, around which are many large and well-built handsome houses. Here is also the church, which has an extremely neat and light appearance; and, on the left of the church-gate is the Government-house, which is a showy edifice, but liable to the inconvenience of having the largest apartments in both floors a passage-room to the others. On the right of the church-gate is the Bazar, which is crowded and populous. Here the native merchants reside, and at the entrance to the street stands the Theatre, which is a handsome building. In the year 1803, this part of the town was greatly injured by a destructive fire, which destroyed nearly three-fourths of the Bazar, together with the barracks, custom-house, and many other public buildings, besides property of immense value belonging to native merchants. The flames spread with such rapidity, that the magazine was endangered; and, in order to preserve the town from total destruction, many houses in the neighbourhood of the castle were battered down with artillery. Since this period, the town has been rebuilt on an improved plan, at the expence of the Company.
Bombay is the only principal settlement in India Docks and where the rise of the tides is sufficient to admit the construction of docks on a great scale. The highest spring tides rise to the height of 17 feet, and the height of the ordinary tides is 14 feet. In consequence of these natural advantages, the dry-dock of Bombay has scarce its equal for size and convenience; having three divisions, with a pair of strong gates to each, so that it is capable of receiving three ships of the line at the same time. Near this dock is a convenient place to heave down several ships at once, and this operation is well executed, and with great expedition, by the Persees, who are generally accounted excellent ship-carpenters. Here is an excellent rope-walk, equal to any in England, with the exception of the King's yard at Portsmouth, Bombay, where cables and all sorts of lesser cordage are manufactured. It has also a covering, to protect the workmen from the heat or inclemency of the weather. The dock-yard is large and well contrived, having ample supplies of naval stores deposited in the warehouses, together with large quantities of timber, for repairing and building ships, and forges for all kinds of smith's work. With all these advantages, Bombay claims a distinguished rank as a naval arsenal, and within these few years many merchant ships of from 600 to 1300 tons, partly for the country trade and partly for the service of the Company, have been built in its docks, which, in beauty of construction, good workmanship, and durability, are superior to any other class of merchant ships in the world. Bombay is the only port in any of the British possessions out of Europe at which a ship of the line was ever built; and it deserves to be recorded that the Minden, a 74 gun-ship, was launched from its dock-yards in 1810. It has also added several frigates to the British navy. All these vessels are built of Malabar teak, which is esteemed superior to any in India. The Teak forests, from which supplies of wood are derived, lie along the western side of the Ghaut mountains, and other contiguous ridges on the north and east of Basseen; the numerous streams which descend from them affording water-carriage for the timber. The docks belong to the Company, and the King's ships pay a monthly rent for repairs. They are entirely occupied by Persees, who are esteemed remarkably skilful and assiduous. Bombay, thus possessing, in the skill of its workmen, the excellence of its timber, and the superiority of its docks, all that is necessary for a naval arsenal, may be considered as a station of the first importance to the British power in India.
From its position, Bombay commands an extensive commerce with the countries situate in the Persian and Arabian gulfs, and with the western coast of India. It carries on, also, a valuable trade with the eastern parts of India, the Islands in the eastern ocean, and with China. Of the trade with China, the staple commodity is cotton-wool. The other articles consist of sandal-wood and pepper, the produce of Malabar and other adjacent countries; gums, drugs, and pearls, from Arabia, Abyssinia, and Persia; elephants' teeth, cornelians, and other produce of Cambay; sharks' fins, birds' nests, and other articles from the Maldive and Lackadive Islands. The ships generally arrive at Canton in June or July, and lie there until December or January. In 1808, the quantity of cotton brought to Bombay for re-exportation amounted to 85,000 bales, of 375 pounds each, which is partly procured from the country on the Nerbuddah, and from Gujrat and Cutch. The quantity, however, is not usually so large; and in this trade, Bombay has been lately rivalled by the competition of the merchants of Bengal and Madras, who, having adopted a different method of cleaning their cotton, have sold it to greater advantage in the market of Canton than the merchants of Bombay; and unless the latter adopt the same method of preparing their commodity, it is probable that this lucrative branch of trade will decline. It is about thirty-five or forty years since the cotton-trade from Bombay to China was first established. At that period, a great scarcity of provisions having occurred in China, the cultivation of cotton was restricted by an edict of the government, and grain was ordered to be raised in its stead. Hence a great demand arose in the Chinese market for cotton, which has continued ever since to increase. But the general inattention of the Bombay merchants to the quality of the commodity, and the many frauds which have been practised upon the Chinese, have induced them to resume the cultivation of cotton, for the purpose of having within themselves the necessary supply of this useful article. On this account the demand from China may be rather considered as precarious. In stowing and packing the cotton, great dexterity is displayed. It is pressed down by means of a screw, worked by a capstan, to each bar of which there are 80 men, amounting on the whole to 240 to each screw. Hemp is packed in the same manner, but it requires to be carefully laid in the press; its fibres being liable to be broken if they are bent.
Bombay carries on a considerable trade with Europe, and with different parts of America. The imports from Europe are principally articles for the use of the natives and Europeans; consisting mostly of the finer articles of European manufacture; the produce of other countries for re-exportation, piece goods, and treasure. The value of goods imported from London, from May 1811 to April 1812, was 20,58,942 rupees, equal to L.231,630. The value of the following exports to London, during the same period, was 15,37,800 rupees, equal to L.173,000, viz.
<table> <tr> <th>Surat manufactures</th> <th>3,183</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Produce of Madeira</td> <td>39,880</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mozambique</td> <td>15,834</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bengal</td> <td>62,957</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Penang and Eastwards</td> <td>54,142</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Malabar and Canara</td> <td>81,169</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Persian Gulf</td> <td>14,678</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Arabian Gulf</td> <td>4,01,603</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cashmere</td> <td>12,683</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Gujrat</td> <td>49,450</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Piece-goods</td> <td>1,10,650</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Treasure</th> <th>9,41,282</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Horses</th> <th>5,89,018</th> </tr> <tr> <th></th> <th>7,500</th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2">15,37,800*</th> </tr> </table>
* A Lack is 100,000, which, at 2s. 3d. per rupee, is L.50,000 Sterling. When any sum amounts to more than 100,000 rupees, the usual mode of numeration is to divide the lacks from the remaining part of the sum, thus, 15,37,800, which is 15 lacks, thirty-seven thousand eight hundred rupees. The following is a Table of the estimated Value in Rupees of the Exports and Imports to and from other places.
<table> <tr> <th></th> <th>Imports.</th> <th>Sicca Rupees.</th> <th>Exports.</th> <th>Sicca Rupees.</th> </tr> <tr> <td>From Madeira</td> <td>-</td> <td>70,360</td> <td>To Brasils</td> <td>-</td> <td>43,334</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Brasils (of which there was treasure to the amount of 13,57,650)</td> <td>15,18,400</td> <td></td> <td>To the Isle of France</td> <td>-</td> <td>2,63,403</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From the Isle of France, of which cloves composed two-thirds</td> <td>5,34,183</td> <td></td> <td>To China</td> <td>-</td> <td>37,17,522</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From China, consisting of articles for the use of the natives and Europeans, manufactures, piece-goods, treasure</td> <td>40,64,654</td> <td></td> <td>To Manilla</td> <td>-</td> <td>78,837</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Manilla, half of which consisted of sugar</td> <td>2,29,350</td> <td></td> <td>To Pegu</td> <td>-</td> <td>6,458</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Pegu</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>To Prince of Wales Island</td> <td>-</td> <td>7,54,560</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Prince of Wales Island, and the Islands to the Eastward</td> <td>4,99,886</td> <td></td> <td>To Bengal</td> <td>-</td> <td>4,25,615</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Bengal, consisting of raw silk, piece-goods, sugar, groceries, grain</td> <td>27,70,051</td> <td></td> <td>To Coast of Coromandel</td> <td>-</td> <td>1,87,464</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From the Coast of Coromandel</td> <td>80,771</td> <td></td> <td>To Ceylon</td> <td>-</td> <td>67,048</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Ceylon</td> <td>1,14,331</td> <td></td> <td>To Malabar</td> <td>-</td> <td>17,66,198</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Malabar and Canara, grain, manufactures, piece-goods</td> <td>30,01,139</td> <td></td> <td>To Goa and Concan, consisting generally of the produce imported from other countries</td> <td>-</td> <td>51,29,222</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Goa and the Concan, grain, manufactures, piece-goods</td> <td>20,40,364</td> <td></td> <td>To Bassein, &c.</td> <td>-</td> <td>2,96,179</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Bassein and adjacent villages</td> <td>3,63,682</td> <td></td> <td>To Cutch and Sinde, consisting chiefly of Chinese goods</td> <td>-</td> <td>11,11,227</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Cutch and Sinde</td> <td>3,26,668</td> <td></td> <td>To the Persian Gulf, merchandise imported from other countries</td> <td>-</td> <td>19,48,205</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Persian Gulf, grain, manufactures, piece-goods, treasure, horses</td> <td>21,40,740</td> <td></td> <td>To the Arabian Gulf, merchandise and European goods</td> <td>-</td> <td>3,64,731</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Arabian Gulf, merchandise, treasure, horses</td> <td>9,44,292</td> <td></td> <td>To the East coast of Africa</td> <td>-</td> <td>46,449</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From East coast of Africa</td> <td>1,37,386</td> <td></td> <td>To Surat, manufactures of other countries, treasure</td> <td>-</td> <td>19,07,032</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Surat, grain, manufactures, piece-goods, treasure</td> <td>10,30,336</td> <td></td> <td>To Gujrat</td> <td>-</td> <td>39,53,572</td> </tr> <tr> <td>From Gujrat, &c. piece-goods, treasure,</td> <td>51,11,636</td> <td></td> <td>The whole value of exports, for 1811-12,</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>The whole value of the imports for 1811-12, amounted to</td> <td>16,970,626</td> <td></td> <td>Merchandise</td> <td>-</td> <td>14,550,642</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Treasure</td> <td>3,737,084</td> <td></td> <td>Treasure</td> <td>-</td> <td>3,027,963</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Horses</td> <td>239,875</td> <td></td> <td>Horses</td> <td>-</td> <td>229,478</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>20,947,585</td> <td></td> <td>Rupees</td> <td></td> <td>17,808,100</td> </tr> </table>
In pounds Sterling, these imports amount to L.2,356,603
<table> <tr> <th></th> <th>Exports.</th> <th>Sicca Rupees.</th> </tr> <tr> <td>To Brasils</td> <td>-</td> <td>43,334</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To the Isle of France</td> <td>-</td> <td>2,63,403</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To China</td> <td>-</td> <td>37,17,522</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Manilla</td> <td>-</td> <td>78,837</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Pegu</td> <td>-</td> <td>6,458</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Prince of Wales Island</td> <td>-</td> <td>7,54,560</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Bengal</td> <td>-</td> <td>4,25,615</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Coast of Coromandel</td> <td>-</td> <td>1,87,464</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Ceylon</td> <td>-</td> <td>67,048</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Malabar</td> <td>-</td> <td>17,66,198</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Goa and Concan, consisting generally of the produce imported from other countries</td> <td>-</td> <td>51,29,222</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Bassein, &c.</td> <td>-</td> <td>2,96,179</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Cutch and Sinde, consisting chiefly of Chinese goods</td> <td>-</td> <td>11,11,227</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To the Persian Gulf, merchandise imported from other countries</td> <td>-</td> <td>19,48,205</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To the Arabian Gulf, merchandise and European goods</td> <td>-</td> <td>3,64,731</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To the East coast of Africa</td> <td>-</td> <td>46,449</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Surat, manufactures of other countries, treasure</td> <td>-</td> <td>19,07,032</td> </tr> <tr> <td>To Gujrat</td> <td>-</td> <td>39,53,572</td> </tr> <tr> <td>The whole value of exports, for 1811-12,</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Merchandise</td> <td>-</td> <td>14,550,642</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Treasure</td> <td>-</td> <td>3,027,963</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Horses</td> <td>-</td> <td>229,478</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Rupees</td> <td></td> <td>17,808,100</td> </tr> </table>
In pounds Sterling, these exports amount to L.2,003,411
Inhabitants. Bombay is estimated to contain 220,000 inhabitants, of whom nearly three-fourths are Hindoos. The other fourth is composed of persons from almost every Asiatic nation. The number of Persees is estimated at 8000, there is nearly the same number of Mahometans, and there are 4000 Jews. The Portuguese are also to be found in considerable numbers. The Persees rank next to the Europeans, and carry on, many of them, extensive commercial transactions. They are the brokers and factors of Europeans, and have a concern in most of the foreign speculations of European mercantile houses. They are a rich, industrious, and active body of men, and contribute greatly to the prosperity of the settlement; and are treated by the government with great favour and indulgence. For the protection which they enjoy, they are exceedingly grateful, and openly express their conviction that they could not obtain the same advantages in any other part of the East. They are the descendants of the ancient Persians, who fled from the persecution of Shah Abbas in the sixteenth century, when he expelled the worshippers of fire from his dominions, and compelled them to seek an asylum in other countries. The Persees at Bombay appear to be quite domesticated in their new residence, in which they have purchased valuable properties. Besides the Persees, many considerable Portuguese, American, and Hindoo merchants reside at Bombay, who have acquired valuable property, and have the reputation of great integrity. There are likewise some Bonah merchants, or Mahometan Jews, who carry on a great trade with Guzerat, and other places to the northward. All those different classes of inhabitants live happily together, and enjoy great prosperity under the mild and equitable rule of the British government. The Company's naval force at Bombay consists of fifteen fighting vessels, besides armed boats, advice-boats, and other craft; and to man this navy, a regular establishment of officers and seamen is maintained. The western coast of India, from the shores of the Persian Gulf to Goa, is infested by swarms of pirates, who are distinguished, particularly those in the northerly tracks, by courage, address, and by habits of extreme ferocity. It is to protect the country trade against the depredations of these banditti, who have haunted those seas since the time of Alexander the Great, that the Company finds it necessary to maintain this naval force. Out of 104 marine eovenanted servants of the Company, Bombay employs 93.
In 1811, the regular army of the Company at Bombay, including all descriptions of force, amounted to 20,988 men. The officers amounted in number to 540, and their pay and allowances to L.171,450. In the same year, the civil servants of the Company on the Bombay establishment, amounted to 74, and their pay and allowances to L.174,238.
The Island of Bombay scarcely produces any articles of food, which have to be imported from various parts of India, and which are consequently much dearer here than in the other presidencies. Considerable quantities of rice and other grain are annually imported. The prices are continually fluctuating, from the state of the market, which is under the superintendence of the police. Potatoes, which, though recently introduced, are now produced in the greatest abundance in this quarter of India, are brought to the Bombay market from Gujrat, from which also is procured cheese, which is hard and ill-flavoured. The only vegetable for which Bombay is celebrated is the onion, which is esteemed excellent. All other vegetables are scarce and dear.
The Bazar mutton is, when well fed, thought to be as good as the English. Kid is always good, and there is abundance of poultry, which is not good, however, unless it is fed on purpose. The fish are excellent, but those of a larger size are not plentiful. The prawns are uncommonly fine; and though the Island is too small to furnish great abundance of game, the red-legged partridge is not uncommon, and snipes are sometimes seen. The frogs here are large, and are sometimes eaten by the Chinese and Portuguese.
A court of justice is held at Bombay by a single Judge, with the title of Recorder. Its cognizance extends to all British subjects, and generally to all the inhabitants of Bombay. But it is allowed no cognizance over the land revenue. The Judge is directed, in all suits to which the natives are parties, to respect the usages of the country, and in matters of inheritance or contract, the law acknowledged by the respective litigants is to be the rule of decision. Criminal offences are tried by a jury, consisting exclusively of British subjects. The law practitioners of this court are three barristers, and eight attorneys.
The same passion for country-houses prevails at Bombay as at Madras. These houses are generally comfortable and elegant; and if they have not the splendid Grecian porticos of Calcutta and Madras, they seem to be better adapted to the climate, and have the advantage of the most beautiful and picturesque views; the Island of Bombay being broken by several beautiful hills, either covered with cocoanut tree groves, or villas of the inhabitants. The only English church in Bombay is in the fort. There are numbers of Portuguese and Armenian churches both within and without the walls, and there are three or four synagogues, with many temples and mosques.
Bombay, from its situation, might be supposed to be healthy, but this is said not to be the case; the liver complaint being more fatal and frequent here than in any part of India. A land breeze sets in every evening, which is described as being peculiarly noxious, and is frequently followed by a fever, and by a loss of the use of the limbs. This breeze is mentioned by Lord Valentia, to have been chillingly cold at the time he visited Bombay. But he attributes its deleterious effects not merely to this cause, but to the noxious vapours with which it is tainted in its passage over the rank vegetation which springs up in the marshy parts of the bay immediately after the rains. Moderate living affords the best security for health; the extremes of intemperance and over abstemiousness being equally injurious.
The travelling distance from Bombay to Calcutta is 1300 miles; to Delhi 965; to Hyderabad 480; to from other Madras 770; to Poonah 98; to Seringapatam 620; chief Cities, and to Surat 177 miles.
Bombay was first settled by the Portuguese, to whom it was ceded in 1530; having been before dependent on one of the native chiefs. In 1661, it was ceded by the Crown of Portugal in full sovereignty to Charles II. by the treaty of marriage concluded with that power, when he espoused the Infanta. In order to take advantage of this acquisition, and to make it a profitable dependence on the Crown, a fleet was dispatched under the command of the Earl of Marlborough in 1662, to receive formal possession of the Island and its dependencies. Some doubts arising, however, as to the construction of the treaty, the Viceroy refused to surrender the Island, on which the Earl of Marlborough returned to Europe, after having left the troops, amounting to 500 men, in the Island, where most of them died. In 1664 a treaty was concluded by this nobleman's successor with the Viceroy of Goa, in which the former renounced all pretensions to the dependencies of Bombay, and accepted of the cession of the Island alone, which the English accordingly received in 1665; the troops who had survived the ravages of disease, only mustering 119 rank and file.
It was soon discovered that the revenues of the Island were not equal to the expence of retaining it, and that the East India Company were much injured by a contraband trade carried on by persons in the King's service. In consequence of these and other reasons, the sovereignty of the Island was, in 1668, transferred to the East India Company. The Company's servants made every exertion to place this new acquisition in a respectable state of defence, and to encourage settlers; and, in 1673, the Island of Bombay, from being almost a desert, had become the centre of the Company's trade, protected by fortifications with 100 pieces of cannon mounted, and a suit- able garrison. In 1676 letters-patent were obtained from the King to establish a mint at Bombay, at which they were empowered to coin rupees, and other smaller pieces. At this period Bombay continued to be of very little importance, which partly proceeded from the vigorous government of Aurengzebe, and the rising power of the Mahrattas. These two powers contended for the possession of the Island of Kenery, which was seized on by the troops of both, the Bombay government not daring to oppose either party, but trembling for its own safety amid these formidable contentions. Bombay was soon afterwards, in consequence of the capture of Bantam by the Dutch, constituted an independent English settlement, and the seat of the English power in the East Indies.
In 1678, the Company, finding it necessary to retrench the expences of the establishment, proceeded to reduce the salaries and to lower the rank of their military officers, which produced general discontent, and, finally, a serious revolt, which threatened the most alarming consequences to the Company's affairs. This insurrection was headed by Captain Richard Reigwin, Commander of the Garrison, who seized the Governor and such members of the council as still adhered to him, and having assembled the troops and militia, annulled the authority of the Company by proclamation, requiring the inhabitants to renounce obedience to their authority, and to take the oaths of allegiance to the King. The whole inhabitants and all the troops immediately complied with the terms of this proclamation; and all the exertions of the Governor of Surat to persuade the revolters to return to their duty were in vain. The mutiny was at length quelled by the prudence of Sir Thomas Grantham, who arrived from Surat with a commission from the King, and had a conference with Reigwin, in the course of which the latter agreed to deliver up the fort, on condition of receiving a free pardon for himself and his associates.
Since this period, the settlement of the English East India Company at Bombay, has been frequently in a very precarious condition, sometimes from the unhealthiness of the climate, and, at other times, from the jealousy of the native powers. But, after the power of the Company became more firmly rooted in India, it has continued gradually increasing in wealth and consequence, and may now be accounted one of the most important and durable possessions of the British in India.
The Government of Bombay and its dependencies, is by law vested in a Governor and three Counsellors, who are placed under the control of the supreme government of Bengal, and are in all cases to obey such orders as they may receive, provided they have no different instructions in their possession from the Court of Directors, of which they are bound to send immediate notice to the Bengal Government. The Court of Directors appoint the Governor and members of the Council, and likewise the Commander in Chief of the forces, who is not officially a member of the Council, but may receive such an appointment from the Directors, and, in that case, he takes precedence of all the other members.
It is difficult to fix with precision the extent of the territories included within the Presidency of Bombay, as some districts belonging to the native powers are intermingled with them. On a general estimate, however, they may be calculated to comprehend 10,000 square miles, and to contain a population exceeding altogether two millions and a half, which may be supposed to consist of one Mahometan to fifteen Hindoos. Of the Perses no exact estimate has ever been made.—See Milburn's Oriental Commerce. Voyages and Travels of Lord Valentia. Hamilton's East India Gazetteer.