War in Ancient India c10.83

c10.83

Dr. R. K. Mookerjee quotes from Elliot’s *History of India*⁵⁴ a long account of a naval fight between two fleets in the eleventh century. It took place during the seventeenth expedition of Sultan Maḥmūd to India. Arriving at Multan, Maḥmūd ordered 1480 boats to be built each with three iron spikes, one on the prow and the other two on its two sides, so that whoever came into contact with it could be destroyed. Every ship was furnished with two archers with bows and arrows and also naphtha throwers. This force was opposed by the Jats who sent their families to the islands and launched, according to some, 4,000 boats, and, according to others, 8,000 boats manned and equipped for immediate engagement. Both fleets met and fought desperately. Every boat of the Jats was broken and capsized, resulting in the drowning of several men. Others who were left behind in the boats were all cruelly put to the sword.