The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.138

c15.138

About the upkeep of Sambhaji’s men-of-war Captain Anselm writes: ‘He keeps his Grabbs in very good order; every cruise they are hauled ashore, cleaned and breem’d, and their bottoms well oil’d.⁴ They mount 16 guns, but their prow-guns do the most execution. If a ship has anything of an appearance, they send a Gallivat to see what she is. They will not come near unless it is a calm; and to a ship that does not feel her helm, they will slide a knot or two. They row with eight oars on their prow, and by the help of the Gallivats (as each Grabb has one to attend to it). I have seen them go at the rate of three knots. They will be under the stern of a ship and can never miss hitting with their guns’.¹ Sambhaji did not issue any written instructions to his officers but gave his orders publicly, and when they had sailed, some of their relatives were sent into the fort probably as hostages. The Angria fleet generally kept close to the coast, though not invariably, as Captain Anselm learnt to his cost.