History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c42.s6.20

v3.c42.s6.20

But Shaista Khan’s spirit and energy overcame every obstacle : a navy was created anew and manned and equipped for war in a little over a year. Immediately on his arrival in Bengal, (March, 1664) he issued urgent orders to the Inspector of the Fleet to renovate the nawwara, gave him plenary powers, and sent bailiffs to every province to seize the timber and ship-wrights and take them to the great dockyards of Dacca. Boats were also built at the minor ports, such as Hughli, Jessore, Chilmari, Karibari, and Baleshwar. At Dacca, where he arrived in December, “he devoted all his energy to the rebuilding of the flotilla. Not for a moment did he neglect to mature plans for assembling the crew, laying in stores of provisions and needments, and collecting carpenters and ship-building materials. For all posts in the navy expert officers were selected. Through his ceaseless exertions in a short time nearly 300 ships were built and equipped." (Cont., 115b, 137b—138a.)