The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c14.47

c14.47

Like the army, the fleet had to spend the rainy season in enforced idleness. The little vessels could not face the fury of the Arabian Sea and had to retire to the ports when the monsoon broke. They were probably hauled ashore like the Sidi’s boats at Bombay. On the return of the fair season they repaired and refitted; and if a large expedition was contemplated, all the carpenters of the locality were impressed for this service, which made it very difficult for the ordinary merchant to secure any artificers for his private work.