History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c42.s10: §13. Naval battles.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c42.s10
- Language
- English
§13. Naval battles.
v3.c42.s10.1
On the 23rd, the Mughal admiral sailed out of Kumaria and encountered the enemy's fleet, consisting of 10 *ghurabs* and 45 *jalias*, which had come out of the Kathalia creek to give battle. The Feringis led the Mughal Van, and their onset decided the day. The Mags in the *ghurabs* jumped overboard giving their ships up to capture, while the *jalias* fled. But the defeated force was only the light squardon of the Arrakan navy. Their larger ships,—called *khalus* and *dhums* which carried more guns,—were now discovered in the Hurla creek. Ibn Husain sailed against them, and they too came out into the open sea. The two lines stood facing each other and there was only a distant artillery duel, but no closer action, during the afternoon and night.
v3.c42.s10.2
∗ Talish says that on 21st January, when Farhad Khan joined Ibn Husain in the Khamaria creek, Buzurg Ummed Khan arrived with the main army three *kos* behind. (Cont. 161 *b.*) But *A.N.* (949) says that on that date the Commander-in-Chief was 8 *kos* in the rear of this advanced position, and 20 *kos* from Chatgaon.
v3.c42.s10.3
The second and greater victory was won next morning (24th January), when "the Muslims flying their victorious banners, beating their drums, and sounding their bugles and trumpets, advanced upon the enemy, firing their guns and putting their biggest ships in the front line and their smaller and faster boats in the rear." The enemy again resorted to flight, their light *jalias* taking the bigger gunboats in tow, and retreated into the Karnafuli river, firing on the advancing Mughals. Entering the mouth of the river at 3 P.M., they drew up their ships in line of battle between Chatgaon and an island in mid-stream. On the opposite bank, close to the village of Feringi-bandar, the Arrakanese had erected three bamboo stockades, filled with artillery and musketeers (*Telingas*). These opened fire on the Mughal fleet. But Ibn Husain sent most of his ships up the river and also made an attack by land. The garrison, after a stubborn fight, abandoned the stockades, which the Mughals burnt.
v3.c42.s10.4
Then the Mughals, flushed with victory, "dashed themselves upon the enemy's ships. The Chief Captain and other Feringi pirates, the Nawab's officers and Munawwar Khan *zamindar* came swiftly up from different sides. A great battle was fought. The fort of Chatgaon also opened fire on the Mughals. At last the enemy were vanquished; many of their sailors jumped overboard and escaped by swimming, a few being drowned; the rest were slain or taken prisoner. Several of the Arrakanese ships were sunk by gun-fire or ramming, and the remainder consisting of 135 vessels became the prize of the victors. Thus the Chatgaon squadron of the Arrakanese navy was annihilated at one blow.