The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c13.37

c13.37

We possess several descriptions of the rocket. Moor, 509, quoting Major Dirom, says “the rocket consisted of an iron tube of about a foot long and an inch in diameter, fixed to a bambū rod of ten or twelve feet long. The tube being filled with combustible composition, is set fire to, and being directed by the hand flies like an arrow to the distance of upwards of 1000 yards. Some of the rockets have a chamber, and burst like a shell; others called ground rockets, have a serpentine motion, and on striking the ground rise again and bound along till their force be spent. They make a great noise and exceedingly annoy the native cavalry in India, who move in great bodies; but are easily avoided or seldom take effect against our troops, who are formed in lines of great extent and no great depth”.