Anglo-Ind. [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 (i.e., Diu) 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 Gurw., 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 the late campaign in Egypt has been for some time past under the consideration of the Treasury.
