▪ I. ‖ batta, n.1 Anglo-Ind.
(ˈbætə)
[a. Indo-Portuguese bata, prob. ad. Canarese bhatta rice in the husk (also called by Europeans batty), which became, first with the Portuguese, a term for ‘maintenance,’ ‘allowance for maintenance’ (Col. Yule).]
orig. Subsistence money (given to soldiers in the field, witnesses, prisoners, etc.). Hence, extra pay given to East Indian regiments when on a campaign, and spec. An extra allowance, which grew in time to be a constant addition to the pay of officers serving in India.
| [1548 Ordenadas de Dio in S. Botelho Tombo 233 E pera dous ffarazes, dous pardaos a anbos por mês, e quoatro tanguas pera bata. [Called in a later entry ‘mantimento’.]] 1680 Fort St. George Consultations (1872) Feb. 10 The peons were..fined each one month's pay, and to repay the money paid them for Battee. 1707 in J. T. Wheeler Madras in O.T. II. 63 (Y.) That they would allow Batta or subsistence money to all that should desert us. 1800 Wellington in Gurwood Disp. I. 69 The government intend to put the troops in this country on half batta. 1835 Penny Cycl. IV. 39/2 The half batta of a lieutenant colonel is 304 rupees per month. 1883 Standard 22 Jan. 5/6 The question of batta for the troops employed in Egypt has been..under consideration. |
▪ II. ‖ batta, n.2 Anglo-Ind.
(ˈbætə)
[a. Urdu baṭṭā, Bengali bāṭṭā.]
In Indian Banking, agio or difference in exchange; discount on coins not current, or of short weight. (Col. Yule.)
| 1680 Ft. St. George Consultations (1872) 17 Payment or receipt of Batta or Vatum upon the exchange of Pollicat for Madras pagodas prohibited. 1760 Fort William Consultations June 30 All siccas of a lower date..are bought and sold at a certain discount called batta, which rises and falls like the price of other goods. 1810 T. Williamson E. Ind. Vade-mec. I. 203 (Y.) He immediately tells master that the batta, i.e. the exchange, is altered. |