Revolution to Regency #1 The Armed Forces of Mysore. The Navy.

 PART 8. The MYSOREAN NAVY

The Mysorean navy is very much a creature of mystery. We know that the state had a navy -and quite a powerful one too for the region, but finding information on it is fraught with problems, not least of which are the numerous regurgitations of spurious information across the internet and within history books, particularly those looking at Tipu Sultan “in a new light” re-casting him as a freedom fighter and patriot rather than as a tyrant and religious zealot.

In “The Navy In India 1763—1783” Admiral Sir H Richmond gives us the following description of the cutting out expedition against the Mysorean Navy in Mangalore harbour in 1780:-

Hyder’s fleet at Mangalore was the next thing to destroy. This force had infested the coast, hampered trade, and threatened the supplies of Tellicherry and Anjengo; its destruction was a factor in security of the settlements. Leaving Tellicherry on October 5th, Hughes came off Mangalore on the morning of December 8th. In the harbour he could  distinguish two grabships, two ketches, a snow and several gallivats flying Hyder’s colours. He determined to attack them at once with the boats of the squadron. Twenty-two boats were quickly manned, armed and assembled alongside the Superb; the Bombay Marine ships Drake and Eagle—the only available light draft vessels, for the Coventry had  been left on the Coromandel coast to protect the trade—were detailed to cover the advance of the boats. The shore batteries opened fire, the ships replied, the boats pulled bravely in-shore, and within a very short time two grab ships, of 26 and 24 guns, were captured, the ketches were burnt, ten gallivats were taken and a number of vessels were run on shore. It was not possible fully to complete the destruction as there were not enough light draft vessels to get into the shoal inner waters ; but the blow rendered Hyder’s Navy for the present innocuous and Hughes hoped finally to dispose of what remained on his return with the help of some troops from Bombay. The whole operation was carried through with spirit and promptitude.

Illustration 102: Grabs and Galivats attacking East Indiamen

In 1775, the future admiral Nelson, then a mere Midshipman under Cpt. George Farmer aboard the 24 gun frigate “Seahorse” in convoy with the East Indiaman “Dodley”. In the mistaken belief that they were Mahratta vessels, with whom Britain was at war, Farmer engaged two of Haidar Ali’s armed cruisers.

“At 7 [a.m.] saw two sail standing toward us, which we imagined to be

Bombay cruisers, at ½ past 7 they hauled their wind to the southward

and stood after the Dodley, and hoisted Haidar Ali’s colours, we immediately tacked and stood after them, at 8 fired several shot to bring one of them too.”

It’s quite telling that Farmer took these vessels to be ships of the Bombay Marine -the EICs own navy, indicating the similarity in appearance to European ships and sail plans.

According to the French historian, Joseph Michaud (1767–1839), Haidar Ali was clearly building his navy with military intent. Michaud confirms the dockyard at Mangalore as Haidar Ali’s premier yard, and:

“a navy had begun to be built there, intended to free the Indian ocean one day from the European pirates.”

Referring to the British capture of Mangalore in 1780, he confirms:

“Three ships of the line with fifty or sixty cannon had been completed; many others of varying sizes were in process of construction; and the English found considerable materials to equip a fleet with.”

Despite this setback, by 1782 we know of at least the following ships in Tipu's navy from a table in the above book. This list shows the most common types of ships used by the Mysorean navy. The 60 gun ships would have been small men of war and the 36 and 20 gun ships frigates.

The British saw the Navy of Mysore as a grave threat to their maritime dominance as its’ size gave it a greater force than the Royal Navy and Bombay Marine could combine locally and, where threatened by greater force, the Mysorean ships would disappear into shoal waters or one of the numerous rivers where the deeper draughted European vessels could not folllow.

The ultimate downfall of the Mysorean navy wasn’t so much caused by the ships themselves, or even crews, which were considered to be as good as, if not better than, those of the Royal Navy or HEIC, but by the lack of protection for the harbours in which they were based. Even after Hyder and, later Tipu had ordered defensive batteries to be built to protect the harbours and fleets, these proved to be so badly sited that they were all but useless.

The Ghurab

Illustration 103: A "grab or Ghurab"

“Ghurabs”, also known as Ghorabs, Bombay Grabs, or just Grabs were normally two masted vessels with three masters being called “Pals.” They varied from about 150 up to 300 tons. A Ghurab was quite wide in the beam for its' length and narrowed towards the prow from about halfway along the hull and of shallow draft making it ideal for inshore work. The prow had a flat, open sided deck rather like that of a galley (to assist in boarding enemy vessels) level with the main deck and separated from it by the forecastle whose forward bulkhead was pierced for cannon. The prow also helped the ship to pitch in heavy head seas.

Unlike European ships which had fairly bluff bows, the faster Indian vessels such as the Ghorab had stem-posts that met the keel at a steep angle offering less resistance.

Broadsides would be of 6 or 9 pound guns with 9-12 pounders being mounted in the forecastle and stern firing fore and aft. Crews would have been 150 -200 men.

Ghorabs were used by all the navies in India including the Bombay Marine -the navy of the East India Company. They were often used as traders as they were well able to defend themselves.

Teak from the Malabar coast was the favoured ship building timber as it did not rot in the same way as oak although Tipu had many of his ships coppered to help preserve the hulls. The frigate “Trincomalee” built of teak in Ceylon is the oldest British warship still afloat which attests to the longevity of this timber.

Illustration 104: HMS Trincomalee, a teak frigate built in Ceylon

Because of their teak structure, iron rather than copper fastenings could be used as it did not react in the same way as oak. The hull was clinker built with planks being sewn to the frame with coconut coir, a material that was also used for the ships cordage.

Illustration 105: A Ghorab

The Galivat

Though the ship in the illustration is a Mahratta vessel, those used by the Mysorean navy were exactly the same if more discreetly coloured. Galivats had crews of around 60 men and mounted 4-8 guns, usually small swivel guns with perhaps a 4-6pdr chase gun in the bow. Ghorabs would operate with a group of galivats to back them up.

A galivat or galbat was a large rowing or sailing boat 60-70 feet long, narrow in the beam and with one or two lateen sails and a spar deck made from split bamboo for lightness. Their manoeuvrability allowed them to close with better armed vessels from the bows and stern where fire was less severe, particularly in calm weather whilst their shallow draft allowed them to be run ashore safely.

Tarandes were large, three masted galivats, 

Illustration 106: A Mahratta Galivat

Note the extreme angle of the stem-post to the keel and the way the foremast is  stepped where they meet.

Indian ships were generally classed in one of two groups -longships and roundships, which as the names suggest were determined by beam. Longships were narrow and fast, gathering speed quickly whilst the round-ships were broader, slower and more sea-kindly and roomy so that the names became almost synonymous with “warship” and “merchant-ship,” though round-ships were occasionally used as warships and smaller vessels were never really categorized as one or the other.

Illustration 107: The hull of a galivat

Dangis/dingis/dingas,

- Originated in Muscat where Mysore had a factory. They had two lateen rigged masts and the stepped keel common in many Indian Ocean vessels. They made excellent “tramp” ships. “The Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship” ” however gives the following description:-

“Bombay Barks, called dingas are vessels used at Bombay and places adjacent; and are navigated sometimes by rowing with paddles. They have one mast,  onethird the length from the stem, which rakes much forward. On the mast is hoisted a sail, bent to a long yard, resembling a settee-sail. The tack is made fast to the head of the stem, and the sheet to the heel of the mast. 

Illustration 108: A dangi/dingi/dinga

Illustration 109: a dangi's hull

These vessels never tack, but wear, in doing which they peek the yard against the mast to shift the sail; at the same time they pass the sheet before the mast. Their rigging consists of a pair of haliards, a bowline, and brace. Their keels are very much hollowed upwards, to avoid wholly grounding on sand banks.”

This “upward hollowed” keel is obvious in the hull plan and is common to many Indian Ocean vessels as well as dhows, boums, bathors, It was of course very easy to convert merchant vessels into warships when necessary.

The Snow

Snows became popular in the New World during the 1770s though rarely used by European navies. The main difference between a brig and a snow was a short “snow” or “jack” mast placed about two feet abaft the main mast which supported a large, loose footed gaff sail.

The word 'snow' comes from 'snauw' which is an old Dutch word for beak; a reference to the characteristic sharp bow of the vessel. The snow evolved from the (three-masted) ship rigged vessels: the mizzen mast gradually being moved closer towards the mainmast, until the mizzen mast was no longer a separate mast, but was instead made fast at the main mast top. As such, in the 17th century the snow used to be sometimes classified as a three-masted vessel.

The snow dates back to the late 17th century and originally had a loose footed gaff sail, the boom was introduced somewhere in the 18th century. It was a popular type of vessel in the Baltic Sea and was employed by a large number of nations during its time. The snow was considered a handy and fast sailing vessel, typically the largest two masted vessel around and was employed in both navy and merchant service. When used as a military vessel, snows were, in the early 18th century, typically fitted with 5 to 16 guns. Military snows were mostly used for coastal patrols and privateering, while in the merchant service, snows traded all the way to the Mediterranean and sometimes even sailed as far as the West Indies.

While the snow and the brig appear closely related, this is not the case. The two rigs developed from different directions, the brig evolving from the generally smaller brigantine, and the much older snow evolving from the larger Three masted “ship rigged” vessels.

The use of the characteristic snow or jack-mast offered several advantages over attaching the gaff directly to the main mast. The yoke (or jaw) of the gaff and the lacing of the gaff sail on a snow could move freely on the snow mast, not hindered by the iron bands that held together the (main) mast, nor limited by the main yard. As a result of the latter, the gaff could be raised higher than the main yard and independently of it. The resulting freedom allowed a snow, in contrast to the brigs, to fly a main course without complications, as they typically did.

However, in the late 18th century, brigs started to set main courses as well, which gave rise to the term snow-brig. Because of the size of driver or spanker sail the snow could carry and its' ability to carry a mizzen course on the jack spar (a lower sail on the spar used as a spreader for the mizzen main sail) they were considered fast ships.

Illustration 110: A Snow. Note the jack mast just behind the main mast

Illustration 111: Two Naval Snows 1759, By Charles Brooking

The Ketch

In modern terms, a ketch is a two masted vessel in which the fore mast is taller than the mizzen and normally fore and aft rigged. During the 18th Century this was not necessarily the case, just as a “sloop of war” could have one, two or even three masts.

Because the main mast was stepped so far back giving plenty of space on the fore deck, ketches were often used as “bombs” -ships for carrying mortars for attacking land based fortifications.

Illustration 112: An Indian Bomb Ketch of unknown nationality. It is possibly British but the same in design as those used by Hyder Ali from 1775

Illustration 113: A more usual ketch sail plan

The set of the mast at about the mid point of the hull made them an unwieldy and “cranky” vessel with the stern being inclined to swing unless the helmsmen were very careful. Bombs often had the mainstay replaced with a chain as an insurance against fire.

The Kotya

The Khotya, was a fast, medium sized two masted vessels used as merchantmen and war ships. It was favoured by most Indian states as well as by Europeans as "country" ships.

Illustration 114: A Kothya

Illustration 115: The lines of a kothya. Note how far back the stem post and keel meet

Illustration 116: A model kothya in 15mm scale

Bugaloos 

Bugaloos (baggalas) were large ocean-going dhows with poop- decks and rounded sterns.

Illustration 117: Bggala lines

Illustration 118: A baggala/bugaloo/budgerow deep sea dhow

Illustration 119: The ornate stern of a baggala

Illustration 120: A Baggala at anchor

Cutches 

– Large, single masted ships with a lateen sail.

Illustration 121: A cutch.

Illustration 122: The lines of the same ship

Phaetamars

Large phaetamars or pattemars could carry three masts and topsails. As with many other types of vessel, such as baggalas and dhows, phaetamars are still in use today and continue to be built.

Illustration 123 The lines of a phaetamar. The stepped keel is typical of many Indian vessels

Illustration 124: A phaetamar.

Illustration 125: A large modern phaetamar or pattemar under full sail

Sambuks or sambouks

Sambuks or sambouks are medium sized dhow rigged vessels with two masts similar to those of a kothya but the mizzen sail was smaller in proportion to the mainsail

Illustration 126: Lines of a sambouk or sambuk

Illustration 127: A Sambouk

Illustration 128: A "modern" Sambouk

Machavas

Machavas or unachavas were large 2 masted dhow rigged ships.

Illustration 129: Machava lines

Illustration 130: A unachava/machava

Illustration 131: A mashwa:-a small inshore vessel with lateen sail

Figure 132: A dhow. These were common throughout the Indian Ocean

Figure 133: The lines of a dhow

Figure 134: A dhow under sail

her types of ship used by Indian navies were tarus, which were large ships having three to five masts, shibads/Sibadis -large, armed merchantmen that often accompanied warships carrying large numbers of troops. They were very beamy, about 150 tons burthen and had no decks. padavs -small, mainly cargo boats of 5-10 tons pagars -dug-out canoes with no outriggers, tirakatis -a three masted ship-

Boums

Boums were large craft favoured as country traders and troop carriers. They were characterised by the stern post being at the same angle as the stem post

Illustration 135: A Boum or boom

Illustration 136: A Ghurab or Grab

Not content with setting out his dream for the army in the Futtah al Mujahaddin, Tipu also set to work planning the restructuring and re-building of the Navy. Many on-line sources -particularly Indian sites mentioned earlier, attempting to re-brand Tipu, appear to believe he actually achieved his aims. This is purely a case of wishful thinking. Had Mysore acquired a powerful navy, it would have been cause for major naval conflict in the region and this just never happened. Apart from anything else, Tipu's plans were completely unrealistic in terms of the number of men required to man his fleet, but it does show that he understood Mysore's need for a deep-water fleet if it was ever to be master of its' own destiny. The following is taken from Kirkpatrick's translation of the Futtah al Mujahaddin. It gives a rare glimpse into Tipu Sultan's mind and his plans for the future of his domain. I feel that although it is doubtful these plans ever came to fruition it is well worth knowing of them and so I have included the regulations here for the reader to make up their own mind about.

Illustration 137: A gehazi

Tipu's Marine Regulations.

The Hukm-nameh, or ordinance, for the marine department, of which I propose, in this place, to give an abstract, is addressed, generally, to the Meer Yumms, without any specification of the persons so denominated, but stating their number to be eleven. The Meer Yumms (or marine lords, as the term may be rendered) composed a board of admiralty, ordinarily resident at the capital; but, together with all the other public boards, ambulatory, I believe, with the court. Some of the members of this board, as will be presently seen, were occasionally stationed at the principal

Illustration 138: The fort and harbour at Mangalore

Illustration 135: a Fealchara or felucca used as a ceremonial barge.

sea-ports, or dock-yards. This department was instituted in the month of Jaafury of the year 1224 from the birth of Mahommed (or in September 1796), before which time the naval establishments of the state appear to have been placed under the direction of the Mulikut Tujurs, or board of commerce.

Next in rank to the Meer Yumms were the Meer Buhrs, which last term is, in fact, synonimous with the other. The Meer Buhrs, however, were officers destined to serve afloat, two of them being assigned to a squadron of four ships of war, they corresponded, therefore, with our admirals or commodores. I have said that they were destined to serve at sea, because, fortunately, perhaps, for the security of the British possessions in India, the Sultan's project, as detailed in the present article, for creating a great naval force, was nipped in the bud by the sudden subversion of his throne, within less than three years from the date of its conception.

It may possibly be thought, that, even if he had remained at peace with the English, the resources of his country would have proved utterly inadequate to the formation and maintenance of so extensive a marine as was in his contemplation and that, at all events, opposed to Great Britain, he could never have become formidable as a maritime power.

Without stopping to examine the grounds of the former supposition, and  entirely admitting the justness of the latter, it may nevertheless be contended, that in proportion as the Sultan might have been able to realize his alarming plan of a marine establishment, we should, as a measure of necessary precaution, have been compelled to augment, at a heavy expence, our naval force in India, for the purpose of duly watching his armaments, and of keeping them in constant check.

Illustration 136: A Pinnace or yacht

This evil, at least, was averted, by the issue of the war of 1799. The ordinance which we are at present considering sets out with anouncing, "that forty ships of war were thereby consigned to the care and superintendance "of those to whom it was addressed. (actually 41)" But it appears, from the sequel, that nothing more was meant by this, than that the Meer Yumms were to have charge of the ships alluded to, as soon as they should be built ; for, as yet, they were not in existence. They were, however, to be constructed with all possible dispatch; and, when finished, were to be named agreeably to a list contained in the instructions. One was to be called Sultan lukhsh; another Ali lukhsh; a third, Mohammed-lukhsh, &c. but no Uydtr-lukhsh appears among them. All the names terminate with ihe word lukhsk, signifying, in composition, " the gift " of," or " bestowed by." The ships were formed into three divisions, under the name of Kucherries or departments, namely: 1.The Kuchurry of Jamalabad; 2. The Kuchurry of Wajidabad (or Buscoraje -a synonym for Wajidabad); and 3. The Kuchurry of Majidabad (or Sadashetoghur).

The Kuchurry of Jamalabad ((Sometimes called The Kuchurry of Karial or of Mangalore) was to consist of 12 ships that of Wajldabad of 14 ships and that of Majidabad of 14 ships. With a view to expediting the formation of this embryo fleet, two Meer Yumms, assisted by a Mirzaey Duftur and a Matusuddy, were to be established at Mangalore, from whence they were to superintend the building of the vessels intended to be attached to the Jamalabad station. Two other Meer Yumms, togethcr with a Mirzaey Duftur and a Mutusuddy, were to be resident, in like manner, at or near Mirjan Creek, for the purpose of directing the construction and equipment of the ships of the Wajidabad and Majidabad divisions. The places (or docks) to be fixed on for the building of the different ships were to be near, but not absolutely contiguous, to each other.

The board of admiralty was furnished with the model of a ship of war, having a lion or tiger head: according to which model all the vessels  allotted to the different naval stations were to be built. The whole of them were, moreover, to be coppered; and the utmost care was to be taken, to render them complete in all respects. The timber which might be required in the construction of the vessels in question, was to be cut down, under the direction of persons appointed for the purpose, by the Meer Yumms, in the forests where ship timber was usually procured: from whence it was to be floated by means of the adjacent rivers, to the respective dockyards.

Illustration 137: A sloop

Of the ships to be built, twenty were to be line of battle, and twenty large frigates, according to the following detail:-

I. On the Jamalabad Station:- 6 Line of battle Ships, viz. 3 of 72 guns each, and 33 of 62 guns each

The 72's were to mount 30 guns x twenty-four pounders 

30 .... eighteen pounders.

6 . . . . twelve pounders.

6 . . . . nine pounders.

The 62's were to mount 24 guns, eighteen pounders

24 .... twelve pounders

4 . . . . twenty-four pounders

10 ... . six nine pounders

6 Frigates, of 46 guns each,

20 guns x  twelve pounders

20 .... nine. pounders

6 . . . . four pounders

II. On the Wajidabad Station.

7 Line of battle Ships, viz.

3 of 72 guns each

4 of 62 guns each

7 Frigates, of 46 guns

All of which were to be as on the Jamalabad Station

III. On the Majidabad Station.

7 Line of battle Ships, viz.

3 of 72 guns each

4 of 62 guns each

7 Frigates, of 46 guns

All of which were to be as on the Jamalabad Station

Two years before the date ot the present ordinance, or some time in

1794, the Sultan had directed the following ships to be built; at 

Jamalabad, six, from eighty to eighty-five guns, and six (two masted) 

grabs, of from twenty-five to thirty guns; and at Wajidabad and 

Majidabad, each seven, from eighty to eighty-five guns, and seven grabs as above: total line of battle ships, twenty; grabs or small  frigates, twenty. Possibly the alteration now made in his original plan may have been suggested by Ripaud, or some other French adventurer.

Illustration 138: Mangalore

The establishment of officers to the foregoing fleet was to be as follows:-

11 Meer Yumms (Pay to be according to their respective qualifications.)
30 Meer- Buhrs, viz. 20 Stationed to ships (being two to every Fouj, or
squadron, of four ships.) 10 at the Presence, (The Sultan) for instruction,

The land establishment of each Kuchurry was fixed as follows:-

3 Mirzaey Dufturs, (including horse)

3 Hindooy Writers

12 Gumahstehs

1 Kazy

2 Nukeebs

11 Hazirbashies

11 Sherbashurns (able to read and write)

1 Furrash

1 Mushalchy (or link-boy)

1 Sarban, or Surwan, in charge of two camels, allotted for the carriage of the stores or baggage of the Kuchurry

The establishment of officers to each ship of the line was fixed as follows:

4 Surdars (or officers), denominated first, second, third, and fourth.

2 Teepdars

6 Yoozdars.

The inferior officers will be given later.

Of these, the first Surdar was to command the whole. The second officer, with one Teepdar, and two Yoozdars under him, was to superintend the great guns, and gunners, belonging to the ship. He was, moreover, to have the care of the powder magazine, of the shot, and, in fine, of every thing appertaining to the guns. He was also to have charge of the provisions, which he was to see served out at stated times.

The third officer, with one Teepdar and two Yoozdars under him, was to 

have the direction of the marines and small arms, and whatever related 

to this branch of the equipment. To his charge, moreover, were to be 

consigned all the spare tools, implements, &c. or those kept in store for 

future use or consumption.

The fourth officer was to have particular charge of the Khulasies, or 

sailors, and of the artificers belonging to the ship, as the smiths, 

carpenters, &c. It was also his business to superintend the cooking of the victuals of the crew, and to see the same duly distributed among them.

The navigation of the ship appears to have been immediately entrusted to him since it is said, that the orders for hoisting and trimming the sails, &c. were to proceed from him. He had likewise charge of all the tools and implements in immediate use, which he was to keep in good condition and repair. He was also, occasionally, to place under the orders of the second officer, whatever number of sailors the latter might require, for the purpose of assisting in the management of the guns. He was to employ the carpenters and smiths in making up such articles in their respective departments as were likely to be required, at some future time, for the ship's use. "If, on any occasion," continues the ordinance " Which God avert! A cannon shot should strike the ship," it was the business of the fourth officer to see the damage instantly repaired. He was, finally, to superintend the pumps, &.c.

All the foregoing officers were to be selected with care and none but such as were well descended on both sides, were to be employed. It was, moreover, required, that they should all be able to read and write. The  Sepoys, or troops, serving on board, were, on no account, to be suffered to trade, "not even to the extent of a single Imaumf (or rupee)."

I. Detailed Establishment of each line of battle Ship.

Twenty ships, each having 346 men of all denominations on board. 

Total 

6,920

1st Musqueteers :

(1 Teep of Uskur, of 124 men, or 4 Yooz.)

Staff

I Teepdar,

1 Shurbashurn

I Mufeer-mucaz

1 Shahnaey-mucaz

4 Yooz, each Yooz consisting of 30 men, viz.

1 Yoozdar,

1 Surkheel

4 Jumuadars

24 Privates,

One Yooz 115

Staff 31

2nd Gunners

(1 Teep of 79 men, or 2 Yooz of 39 men each, each to carry a musquet.)

1 Teepdar,

2 Yooz, each 39 men, viz.

1 Yoozdar,

2 Surkheels,

4 Jumuadars

32 Privates

3rd Seamen

2 Jowks, or Gangs, of 61 men.

I Jowkdar

6 Dufaadars

54 Privates

4th Artificers

1 Head carpenter

1 Head smith

5 Carpenters

3 Smiths

5th Officers of the Staff:

First Sirdar (or officer)

Second Sirdar

Third Sirdar

Fourth Sirdar

Staff:

3 Pilots,

2 Daroghas, viz.

1 in charge of the water, provisions, &c. of the ship

1 in charge of tools, implements, and articles in store

1 Physician and surgeon (in one)

1 Mirzaeiy Duftur, to keep the accounts of the ship, and also of the troops or marines

II. Establishment of each Frigate.

Twenty ships, each having 180 men, of all denominations, on board.

Total 3,6oo

1st Muskteers:

(l Teep of Uskur, of 64 men) viz,

1 Teepdar,

Staff:

1 Shurbashurn

1 Nufeer-mucaz

1 Shahnaey -mucaz

The above Teep being composed of 2 Yooz, of 30 men each, viz

1 Yoozdar

1 Surkheel

4 Jumaadars

24 Privates

2nd Gunners:

(l Yooz of 29 men, viz.)

1 Yoozdar

1 Surkheel

3 Jumaadars

24 Privates

3rd Seamen:

(1 Jowk, or Gang, of 71 men.)

1 Jowkdar

7 Dufaadars

63 Privates

4th Artificers:

2 Smiths

2 Carpenters

5th Officers and Staff:

First Officer

Second Officer

Fourth Officer

Staff:

2 Pilots

2 Daroghas

1 Physician and Surgeon (in one)

1 Mirzaey Duftur

The most striking defect in these establishments lies in the insufficient 

number of seamen allotted to ships of such force; as it would not appear that any augmentation of the crews was intended during actual service.

Pay and allowances were to be received by the men and officers when 

on shore. When afloat, or embarked, they were, in addition thereto, to 

receive the rations to be presently stated. As a Meer Yumm might be 

occasionally employed with the fleet, it was ordered that, in such cases, 

"a particularly good dinner, together with fruit," should be daily provided the expense of which was to be defrayed by government. All the officers were to eat together. The following were the persons to whom rations were to be issued when afloat :

1 Meer Yumm, 1 Meer Buhr, 4 Sirdars, 1 Mirzaey Duftur, 3 Pilots,

2 Daroghas, 1 Physician and Surgeon.

To the above officers the following daily rations were to be served out:

Rice: ¾ of a full Duk or Seer.

Dal (or split peas): ¼ of a full Duk or Seer.

Ghee 8 Jouz weight: That is, the weight of eight nutmegs.

Meat: ½ short Duk, or Seer.

Salt 3 Jouz weight.

Tamarinds: 2 Jouz weight.

Turmeric: ½ Jouz weight.

Dry Garlic: ½ Jouz weight.

Onions: 1½ Jouz weight.

Coriander seed: ¼ Jouz weight.

Black pepper: 1 Jouz weight.

The following were the rations to be issued to the Musketeers and 

Gunners, no distinction being made between men and officers :

Rice 1 Duk, or Seer.

Dal 6 Jouz weight.

Ghee 4 Jouz weight.

Salt 2. Jouz weight.

Tamarinds 2. Jouz weight.

Turmeric ½ Jouz weight

Dry Garlic ½ Jouz weight.

Onions 1½ Jouz weight.

Coriander seed ¼ Jouz weight.

Black pepper 1Jouz weight.

Besides the above rations, it would appear that meat prepared with 

spices, and roasted (or made into Kebabs), was to be kept in store, and

served out once in every fifteen days, at the rate of a quarter of a short

Seer per man. The meat in question was to be cured or prepared with

salt, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper. The seamen were each to be

allowed daily

¾ of a full Seer of Rice,

¼ of a full Seer of Dal,

2 Jouz weight of Ghee,

2 Jouz weight of Salt.

They were to supply themselves with spices. Whether they were to

partake, every fifteen days, of the Kebabs above-mentioned, is uncertain.

The several officers of the marines and seamen were to see that their

men had their appointed meals, before they took their own. Prayers were to be performed every day, at the five appointed times. The first officer, or commander, was to officiate as priest on such occasions, and to deliver the appointed Waaz, or discourse ; and the Daroghas to recite the five prayers.

During the rainy season, the ships were to be laid up in the creek (probably Mirjan Creek), where they were to be placed under cover of sheds to be constructed for the purpose; the necessary materials for which sheds were to be furnished by the Asofs of the adjacent districts. The seamen were to be employed in this service.

After mentioning that orders had been issued for the erection of two forts and some batteries at Hafiz-Hisar (commonly called Beed-kole, or 

Bateul), the Meer Yumms were directed, by the present ordinance, to 

examine carefully the ground in the vicinity of the aforesaid place, and 

having pitched upon proper spots for the works in question, to make a plan or drawing of the same, and transmit it to the Presence. They were to direct their particular attention to the two hills, or rocks, which would

appear to form the entrance of the creek, or harbour, and to ascertain the exact distance between them, as well as the extent of the channel, or strait, formed by them. The depth of uater, and the number of ships

which might lie at anchor between these hills were likewise to be ascertained and reported; when, "with the blessing of God," forts and batteries were to be erected there.

A ship, named the “Fakhur ul Murakib”, is stated to be then lying in Mirjan Creek; and another, called the “Futah Mubaruk”, in the creek at Hundicar (Onore): both of them past repair. These ships were directed to

be broken up with due care and the iron, and other materials, obtained

from them, to be used in the new ships ordered to be built.

Twelve small vessels, denominated Nugs, or Nuks, were, moreover, 

delivered, on the present occasion, in charge to the Meer Yumms. Of 

these, ten were galliots; (or are the Gallivats/galibats which are a local

style vessel) five of them being at Mangalore, and five at Onore. Of the

remaining two, one is called an Usud-llhye grab ; and the other, a small

Usud-Ilhye ship.

The marines, and other people, belonging to the ships (I suppose, the 

crews destined for the vessels ordered to be built) were to be embarked

upon these Nugs, which were to sail about the coast, in order that the

men might thereby be duly trained in their respective duties. With the

same view, it was directed that a kind of buoy should be anchored in

some convenient situation, and a flag erected thereon, to serve as a mark for practising with great guns; in the management of which those 

attached to them were to be carefully instructed.

It is next observed, that it green wood be cut up according to the required dimensions, it will, when dry, be found to fall short of those dimensions. To avoid this inconvenience, it was directed, that the timber, after being felled and barked, should be kept one or two years ; and when perfectly seasoned, be cut up, agreeably to the proposed standard.

The men required for the service of the fleet were, after being mustered in the Presence and duly sworn, to be dispatched to their respective destinations, as fast as they were entertained.

The accounts of the expenditure of the ships and crews, and of whatever related thereto, were to be carefully and minutely kept by the Meer Yumms and the Asofs of the provincial Kuchurries having any 

connection with this branch of the serviced in conjunction with each 

other. The movements and warlike operations of the fleet were, likewise,

to be directed conjointly by the Meer Yumms and the aforesaid Asofs. If

the Sultan should, at any time, wish to employ the ships on any 

particular service against an enemy, he would issue his orders for the 

purpose in full council, or assembly, of the ministers of state.

The Meer Yumms had it in charge to station two Yuzuks (or twelve men) with a Yoozdar of the regular troops belonging to their department, at each of the Kohties, or factories, established, "by the favour of God," at Muscat and Kutch; and which are said, on this, as well as on a former occasion, to be four in number, namely, two at Muscat and two at Kutch.

The pay of these guards was to be issued by the Mirzaey Dufturs of the

aforesaid factories, to whom the Meer Yumms were to make the

necessary remittances for the purpose. The guards in question were to be relieved annually.

The Meer Yumms, Meer Buhrs, and Serishtedars, attached to the three 

several Kuchurries (or naval stations) of Jamalabad, Majidabad, and 

Wajidabad, were to repair, in the month of Zilhijjah of every year, and 

ten days before the Eed, or festival, celebrated in that month, to 

Seringapatam there to deliver to the Presence an account of their 

respective receipts and disbursements, and to report the progress made at their respective stations, in the preparation of the vessels ordered to be built. The officers belonging to the ships, together with the several Teepdars, the Mirzaey Dufturs, and the Daroghas, were, in like manner, to repair every year, ten days before the Eed of Rumuzan, to the capital, for the purpose of delivering their respective accounts, and of reporting the state of their respective departments to the Presence.

To the foregoing ordinance is subjoined a supplementary section, dated 24th of Tukky, year Saz, or A.M. 1225 (Corresponding with June 1797) containing a detailed statement of the establishment of artificers 

appointed for the service of the three dock- yards of Jamalabad,

 Wajidabad and Majjidabad of which the following is an abstract.

Carpenters (including three Chowdries and twelve Dufuadars, and 

divided into twelve gangs of ten men, inclusive of one Dufuadar 

Smiths (including two Chowdries and four Dufuadars) and divided in like manner into four gangs of eight men each, inclusive of one Dufuadar.

Total artificers to each dock-yard 157

Three dock-yards 471

Whether Tipu ever made his dream navy a reality or not, the Futtah al 

Mujahaddin certainly makes interesting reading, particularly if you are looking for campaign or “what if” scenarios.

As mentioned earlier, the Mysorean navy was comprised of, for the most part, inshore vessels and as such, tactics used by them were aimed more at taking enemies as they entered or left ports, usually in order to board them to check   they had the required passes and carried no prescribed nationals or goods. If any of these were discovered, they would be either held for ransom or confiscated outright. Many of the actions of the Mysorean navy were regarded almost as piracy by the Europeans, the British and Portuguese in particular.

Illustration 139: A padav

Illustration 140: A Ghurab and a Pal

Illustration 141: A bark or barque

Part 11: Glossary of Indian terms.

Most of these words are concerned with the Mysorean forces, but some are Marathi. It is not a complete list as I am still adding to it.

Aftabgir:

An ornamental sun shade awarded to high officers.

Ahmadi, ahmudi:

Slave or POW infantry from the Malabar coast. Possibly Christian

ambarkhana:

A granary. Marathi

Assad-ilahi:

Slaves brought up as Moslems and trained as soldiers since childhood. The

equivalent of janissaries or Mamluks.

Askar, Uskar:

Regular cavalry with the same root as Askari

baggala/bugaloo/budgerow:

A large deep sea dhow. with poop- deck and rounded stern.

Bakhshi, bukhshi:

Originally the pay-master of a Mysore cushoon but its' commander after about

1790 . Possibly related to the term for “squeeze” or a bribe-Bakhshish

Bargirs:

Regular cavalrymen paid and equipped by the state.

bathor:

A type of merchant ship

bazar/bazaar:

The market in an army camp. Each major leader within a camp would have one

in front of his own tent and under his own banner.

Bedars:

Irregulars

Beenee Wala:

quarter-master general

Bhistie:

A water carrier

boum:

A deep sea dhow

Brinjaries, brinjaras:

Nomadic grain merchants who formed the basis of the commissariat for all Indian

armies. A kind of “white ox man.”

Bukmar:

“stinging wasp” a blunderbuss shotgun

Chauth:

A “contribution” to stop pillaging -a sort of Maratha protection money with

“chauth” signifying ¼. Marathi

compoo:

A brigade. Marathi.

Cundachars:

Tax collectors (I think. But can't find a meaning for) Mysore

Cushoon:

Originally a brigade in the Mysore army but later on a regiment.

cutch.:

A large, single masted ships with a lateen sail.

Cutcheries, Cuchurries, Kuchurries: (singular, Cutchery)

A brigade in the army of Mysore from around 1790

dangis/dingis,- Originated in Muscat where Mysore had a factory. They had two

lateen rigged masts and the stepped keel common in many Indian Ocean vessels.

They made excellent “tramp” ships.

darukhana:

A powder store. Marathi

dhows:

fast, seaworthy vessels of a range of sizes originating in the Arabian Gulf and

Red Sea.

ekas, ekandas:

silhedars volunteering for service as individuals. Marathi

Farman:

A letter of authorisation from the head of state (or rival).

Faujdar:

military governor

galivat/galbat:

was a large rowing or sailing boat 60-70 feet long

Gardi:

Often used to mean slave soldiers, but can also be used for troops trained in a

European manner (from “guards”) The term implies some sort of special quality.

Ghurab/ghorab:

A two masted warship like a corvette or small frigate with a galley-like beak at the

same level as the main-deck.

Goodurees :

Daily markets in a camp

Harcarahs, hircarahs:

scouts or guides

Havaldar:

The lowest Maratta officer rank in charge of 25 men

Hazari:

A Maratta officer over 10 Jumledars (10x 125 horsemen) or 2-3 foot

Jumledars(100-150 infantrymen)

jaghir/jageer:

A fief awarded by the ruler.

jaghirdar:

A fief holder owing allegiance to his ruler. Marathi

jaish:

Mysore infantry

Jouz weight:

The weight of eight nutmegs.

Jumledar:

An officer of 5x Havaldars (5x 25 horsemen) or 5x naiks (50 infantrymen.)

Juq, jowk:

A company. Mysore

Juqdar, jowkdar:

A company commander, a captain.

Kamaishdar:

A tax collector. Marathi

Khotyas,-

Fast, medium sized two masted vessels used as merchantmen and war ships

Khulasies:

Sailors.

machava/unachava:

A large 2 masted dhow rigged ship.

Mashwa:

a small inshore vessel with lateen sail

Mir:

Honourific for a Mysorean general or member of the staff

Mokum:

A Mysore cavalry regiment

Mukkaddam:

Governor of a town/village. Marathi.

Musnud:

throne

Mutassadi:

commander of 10,000. Mysore

Naik:

A corporal or sargeant commanding 10 infantrymen

Nalbandi:

Shoeing allowance for cavalrymen paid as part of their salary.

Nukas:

See Goodurees

unachava/machava:

A large 2 masted dhow rigged ship.

Padavs:

-small, mainly cargo boats of 5-10 tons

pagars:

dug-out canoes with no outriggers,

pals:

1. -three masted ghorabs. 2) tents

Palki or Nalki:

A palanquin, the use of which was awarded by the head of state to officers and

officials.

Palpatti, palputtee :

A tent tax charged on every tent in the bazar/bazaar in an army camp. Marathi

Panch Hazari:

A Marrata officer in charge of 5 Hazari (5x 1,250 men)

Peshwa:

Maratta prime minister. Eventually a hereditary position

pettah:

a civil settlement outside a fort. A suburb.

phaetamars/pattemars:

large 3 masted dhow rigged vessels, often with top, head and stay-sails

Poligar:

Leader of a small independent province or state

Rajbabthi:

A royal perquisite

Rakhi:

12.5% tax on the revenue of a district.

Raiyats:

peasants. Marathi

risala:

A battalion of infantry or a squadron of cavalry in Mysore.

risaldar:

A battalion commander, roughly equivalent to a lieutenant colonel

Sambuk/sambouk:

A medium sized 2 masted dhow rigged vessel.

saranjam:

A fief in lieu of stipulated service. Marathi.

saranjamdar:

The holder of a saranjam fief and pledged to raise an agreed number of horsemen

between 1 and 22,000 for the ruler.

Sardeshmuki:

a tax of 10% on the raiyats (peasants) Marathi

saristadar gumashta:

tax collector of Sardeshmuki. Marathi.

Sarnobat:

Chief Maratta cavalry commander responsible only to the king

saryasaqchi:

An officer who's duty was to visit his risala every day, observe its' condition and

report first to the sipahdar and then to the jaish cutchehry of the huzur (I have

been unable to find out anything concerning this officer) and finally to the Sultan

himself.

shibads/Sibadis

-large, armed merchantmen that often accompanied warships carrying large

numbers of troops. They were very beamy, about 150 tons burthen and had no

decks.

Shub-khoon:

A night assault. Mysorean

Shutarnal:

Literally “camel barrel,” also known as a Zamburak, a swivel gun mounted on a

swift camel and usually deployed en-masse.

Silhadar/silhedar:

A cavalryman responsible for providing his own horse and equipment

Sipahdar:

Commander of a Mysore regiment (or brigade before 1790)

subhas:

provinces. Marathi.

Sur (or Head) Vusdhchy:

Brigade Major.

Syce:

A groom

Talwar,Tulwar:

A curved sword or sabre.

Taramandalpet:

Galaxy or Constellation Market -the areas where rockets were constructed

tarandes:-

large, three masted galivats,

tarus,

large ships having three to five masts,

tirakati -

a three masted ship

Tope:

a wood, grove or orchard

Vaknavis:

Head of intelligence. Marathi

wakil:

An emissary. Mysore

yasaqchi:

a subaltern who's duty was to keep the senior officers in touch with the men,

report to them on the men's condition and carry their orders to their

subordinates in time of war.

Yaz or Yooz:

Mysore. A company

Yazaqdar, Yoozdar:

Commander of a yaz/yooz. Equivalent to a captain

Yusakchies:

Adjutants

Zamburak:

also known as a Shutarnal, literally “camel barrel.” a swivel gun mounted on a

swift camel and usually deployed en-masse.

Zamindar:

Governor of a city. Marathi

Part 12: Bibliography and sources.

This list comprises some of the main sources used in compiling this work on the armed forces of Mysore. Most of these with the exception of Keshik Roy are freely available online

Advices To And From India, Relative To The Cause, Progress, And Successful

Termination Or The War With The Late Tippoo Sultaun. pub 1800

A View Of The Origin And Conduct Of The War With Tippoo Sultaun

pub 1800 Alexander Beatson,

“A Narrative of the Campaign in India Which terminated the War with Tippoo

Sultan in 1792.” pub 1793. Major Dirom

“Haidar Ali And Tipu Sultan And The Struggle With The Musalman Powers Of The

South” 1893 By Lewin B. Bowring,

“Historical Sketches of The South Of India, In An Attempt To Trace The History Of

Mysoor.” Vols. 1 and 2 1817 Col. Mark Wilks

“The History Of Tipu Sultan.” Pub 1963 Mohibbul Hassan

“Select Views In Mysore.” 1794 By Mr. Home;

“War, Culture and Society, in Early Modern South East Asia 1740-1849” 2017

Kaushik Roy

“Historical Sketch Of The Native States Of India” 1875 Col GB Mallenson

“A History Of The Deccan” Vols 1-2 1924 By J. D. B. Gribble

“The Navy In India 1763—1783” pub 1936. Admiral Sir H Richmond

“Narrative Sketches of the Conquest of Mysore.” Pub 1800

“A history of the Maratha navy and merchantships.” 1973 by Dr BK Apte

“Indian Shipping. A History Of The Sea-Borne Trade And Maritime Activity Of The

Indians From The Earliest Times” 1912 by Radhakumud Mookerji, M.A.

“Rulers Of The Indian Ocean” 1927 Admiral G.A. Ballard, C.B.

“Tiger of Mysore” 1973 Denys Forrest

“The Life of Hyder Ali” 1786 Cpt. F Robson

“The History Of The Reign Of Tipu Sultan.” 1864 Col. W Miles

“A Journey From Madras Through The Countries Of Mysore, Canara, And Malabar” 1807 Francis Buchanan MD.

“History of Mysore 1399-1799 AD” Vol 3. 1943 C. Hayavadana Rao

“British Seapower and the Mysore Wars of the Eighteenth Century” by Philip

Macdougall in “The Mariner’s Mirror” Volume 97, number 4 Nov.2011

“Trade In The Eastern Seas 1793-1813.” 1937 By C. Northcote Parkinson

“Mast and Sail in Europe and Asia” 1906 H. Warington Smythe

“The Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship” London 1794

“THE ARMY OF THE INDIAN M0GHULS: ITS ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.” by WILLIAM IRVINE. London 1903

Illustration 142: Haidar Ali