The Hûkm-nâmeh, or ordinance, for the marine department, of which I propose, in this place, to give an abstract, is addressed, generally, to the Meer Yumms, without any specification of the persons so denominated, but stating their number to be eleven.

The Meer Yumms, (or marine lords, as the term may be rendered) composed a board of admiralty, ordinarily resident at the capital; but, together with all the other public boards, ambulatory, I believe, with the court.* This department was instituted in the month of Jaafury of the year 1224 from the birth of Mahom­med (or in September 1796), before which time the naval establishments of the state appear to have been placed under the direction of the Mulikût Tûjârs, or board of commerce.

Next in rank to the Meer Yumms were the Meer Buhrs, which last term is, in fact, synonimous with the other. The Meer Buhrs, however, were officers des­tined to serve afloat, two of them being assigned to a squadron of four ships of war: they corresponded, therefore, with our admirals or commodores. I have said that they were destined to serve at sea, because, fortunately, perhaps, for the security of the British possessions in India, the Sultan’s project, as detailed in the present article, for creating a great naval force, was nipped in the bud by the sudden subversion of his throne, within less than three years from the date of its conception. It may possibly be thought, that, even if he had remained at peace with the English, the resources of his country would have proved utterly inadequate to the formation and maintenance of so extensive a marine as was in his contemplation; and that, at all events, opposed to Great-Britain, he could never have become formidable as a maritime power. Without stopping to examine the grounds of the former supposition, and entirely admitting the justness of the latter, it may nevertheless be contended, that in proportion as the Sultan might have been able to realize his alarming plan of a marine establishment, we should, as a measure of necessary precaution, have been compelled to augment, at a heavy expence, our naval force in India, for the purpose of duly watching his armaments, and of keeping them in constant check. This evil, at least, was averted, by the issue of the war of 1799.

The ordinance which we are at present considering sets out with anouncing, “that forty ships of war were thereby consigned to the care and superintendance “of those to whom it was addressed.” But it appears, from the sequel, that nothing more was meant by this, than that the Meer Yumms were to have charge of the ships alluded to, as soon as they should be built; for, as yet, they were not in existence. They were, however, to be constructed with all possible dispatch; and, when finished, were to be named agreeably to a list contained* in the in­structions, but with which it would be useless to trouble the reader.

The ships were formed into three divisions, under the denomination of Kuchur­ries, or departments, namely: 1. The Kuchurry of Jumâlâbâd; 2. The Kuchurry of Wâjidâbâd (or Buscoraje*); and 3. The Kuchurry of Mâjidâbâd (or Sudâsheeo-ghur).

The Kuchurry of Jumâlâbâd (sometimes called, also, the Kuchurry of Kûriâlor Mangalore) was to consist of	12 ships
that of Wâjidâbâd of	14   do.
and that of Mâjidâbâd of	14   do.

With a view to expediting the formation of this embryo fleet, two Meer Yumms, assisted by a Mirzâey Duftur and a Mûtusuddy, were to be established at Mangalore, from whence they were to superintend the building of the vessels in­tended to be attached to the Jumâlâbâd station. Two other Meer Yumms, together with a Mirzâey Duftur and a Mûtusuddy, were to be resident, in like manner, at or near Mirjân Creek,* for the purpose of directing the construction and equip­ment of the ships of the Wâjidâbâd and Mâjidâbâd divisions. The places (or docks) to be fixed on for the building of the different ships were to be near, but not absolutely contiguous, to each other.*

The board of admiralty was furnished with the model of a ship of war,* having a lion or tyger head: according to which model all the vessels allotted to the different naval stations were to be built. The whole of them were, moreover, to be coppered; and the utmost care was to be taken, to render them complete in all respects.

The timber which might be required in the construction of the vessels in question, was to be cut down, under the direction of persons appointed for the purpose, by the Meer Yumms, in the forests where ship timber was usually procured: from whence it was to be floated, by means of the adjacent rivers, to the respective dock-yards.

Of the ships to be built, twenty were to be line of battle, and twenty large frigates, according to the following detail.*

	3 of	72 guns each, and
	3 ..	62 .. do.

The 72’s were to mount 30	guns,	twenty-four pounders
30	....	eighteen	do.
6	....	twelve	do.
6	....	nine	do.
The 62’s were to mount 24	guns,	eighteen	do.
24	....	twelve	do.
4	....	twenty-four	do.
10	....	six	do.
6 Frigates, of 46 guns each, viz.
20	guns,	twelve pounders
20	....	nine        do.
6	....	four        do.

7 Line of	battle Ships, viz.
	3 of	72 guns each		as before.
	4 ..	62 .. do.....
7 Frigates, of		46 .. do.....		as before.
7 Frigates, of		46 .. do.....		as before.

7 Line of	battle Ships, viz.
	4 of	72 guns each
	3 ..	62 .. do.
7 Frigates, ..		46 .. do. .. as before.

The establishment of officers to the foregoing fleet was to be as follows:

11	Meer Yumms (Pay to be according to their respective qualifications.)
30	Meer Buhrs, viz.

Stationed to ships (being two to every Fouj, or squadron, of four ships.)	20
At the Presence, for instruction,	10

The first class (or twenty) of the Meer Buhrs, were to receive a monthly pay of 150 Imaumies, or rupees, including an allowance for a horse.*

The Meer Buhrs attending the Presence, for the purpose of instruction, were to be paid according to their respective merits.*

The land establishment of the Kuchurries was fixed as follows:*

					Râhities, or Pagodas.	Fanams.
3		Mirzâey Dufturs,	(including horse)	each	20	0
3		Hindooy Writers	do.	do.	20	0
12		Gûmâhstehs		do.	15	0
1		Kâzy			12	0
2		Nukeebs*		do.	12	0
11		Hâzirbâshies*		do.	3	3
11		Sherbashurns* (able to read and write)		do.	10	0
1		Furrâsh*			3	0
1		Mushâlchy (or link-boy)			2	0
1		Sârbân, or Surwân, in charge of two camels, allot­ted for the carriage of the stores or baggage of the Kuchurry			3	0

The establishment of officers to each ship of the line was fixed as follows:

4  Surdârs (or officers), denominated first, second, third, and fourth.

2  Teepdârs*

6  Yoozdârs.*

The inferior officers will be stated hereafter.

Of these, the first Surdâr was to command the whole.

The second officer,* with one Teepdâr, and two Yoozdârs under him, was to superintend the great guns, and gunners, belonging to the ship. He was, more­over, to have the care of the powder magazine, of the shot, and, in fine, of every thing appertaining to the guns. He was also to have charge of the provisions, which he was to see served out at stated times.

The third officer,* with one Teepdâr and two Yoozdârs under him, was to have the direction of the marines and small arms, and whatever related to this branch of the equipment. To his charge, moreover, were to be consigned all the spare tools, implements, &c.* or those kept in store for future use or consumption.*

The fourth officer* was to have particular charge of the Khulâsies, or sailors, and of the artificers belonging to the ship, as the smiths, carpenters, &c. It was also his business to superintend the cooking of the victuals of the crew, and to see the same duly distributed among them. The navigation of the ship appears to have been immediately entrusted to him; since it is said, that the orders for hoist­ing and trimming the sails, &c. were to proceed from him. He had likewise charge of all the tools and implements in immediate use, which he was to keep in good condition and repair. He was also, occasionally, to place under the orders of the second officer, whatever number of sailors the latter might require, for the purpose of assisting in the management of the guns. He was to employ the car­penters and smiths in making up such articles in their respective departments as were likely to be required, at some future time, for the ship’s use. “If, on any occasion,” continues the ordinance “which God avert! a cannon shot should “strike the ship,” it was the business of the fourth officer to see the damage in­stantly repaired. He was, finally, to superintend the pumps, &c.*

All the foregoing officers were to be selected with care; and none but such as were well descended on both sides, were to be employed. It was, moreover, re­quired, that they should all be able to read and write.

The Sepoys, or troops, serving on board, were, on no account, to be suffered to trade, “not even to the extent of a single Imaumy (or rupee).”

   

I. Detailed Establishment of each line of battle Ship.
Twenty ships, each having 346 men of all denominations on board,						Total 6,920
1st Musqueteers:
(1 Teep of Uskur, of 124 men, or 4 Yooz.)
Staff:				Pagodas	Fanams
1	Teepdâr, pay 7 pagodas 8 fanams: sub­sistence calculated on 120 men, at 1 fanam each*		Pagodas 12 =	19	8
1	Shurbashurn			4	8
1	Nufeer-nuwâz*			3	6
1	Shahnâey-nuwâz*			3	6
	Monthly pay of the staff			31	8
4 Yooz, each Yooz consisting of 30 men, viz.
1	Yoozdâr, pay 4 pagodas 2 fanams: subsistence 3 pagodas 6¼ fanams, calculated on 29 men			7	8¼
1	Surkheel			4	8
4	Jumaadârs, pay 3 pagodas 6 fanams: sub­sistence 6 fanams, calculated on 6 men		P.    F.    4     2 =	16	8
24	Privates, pay 3 pagodas 6 fanams each			86	4
One Yooz				115	8¼
Four Yooz				463	3
Staff				31	8
						Pagodas	Fanams
Total pay of one Teep						495	1
						Pagodas	Fanams
Brought forward						495	1
2d Gunners:
	(1 Teep of 79 men, or 2 Yooz of 39 men each, each to carry a musquet.)
1	Teepdâr, pay 9 pagodas 1½ fanam: subsistence 7 pagodas 8 fanams, calculated on 78 men, at 1 fanam			Pagodas	Fanams
				16	9½
2 Yooz, each 39 men, viz.
1	Yoozdâr, pay 4 pagodas 4 fanams: subsistence 4 pagodas 7 fanams, calculated on 38 men, at 1¼ fanam			9	1½
2	Surkheels, pay 4 pagodas 8 fanams each*			9	6
4	Jumaadârs, pay 3 pagodas 6 fanams each: subsistence 8 fanams, calculated on 8 men		P.    F.    4     4 =	17	6
32	Privates, at 3 pagodas 6 fanams each			115	2
One Yooz				151	5½
Two Yooz				303	1
Add Teepdâr....				16	9½
Total pay of 1 Teep of gunners						320	0½
3d Seamen:
(2 Jowks, or Gangs, of 61 men.)
1	Jowkdâr, pay 3 pagodas: subsistence 3 pagodas, calculated on 60 men, at ½ fanam each			6	0
6	Dufaadârs, pay 3 pagodas: subsistence 9 fanams each			23	4
54	Privates, from 21 to 30 fanams each, calculated at 3 pagodas each			162	0
One Jowk				191	4
Two Jowks						382	8
Carried forward						1,197	9½
						Pagodas	Fanams
Brought forward						1,197	9½
4th Artificers:
1	Head carpenter, pay 3 pagodas: subsistence 1 pagoda			Pagodas	Fanams
				4	0
1	do. smith, pay 3 pagodas: subsistence 6 fanams			3	6
5	Carpenters	pay 3 pagodas each		24	0
3	Smiths
						31	6
5th Officers of the Staff:*
First Sirdâr (or officer), pay 80 Imaumies, or rupees, of three fanams each (including horse); being Râhities, or Cantarai pagodas				24	0
Second Sirdâr, 60 rupees (no horse allowed)				18	0
Third ..... do.....50.. do............... (do.)				15	0
Fourth ... do.....50.. do............... (do.)				15	0
Staff:
3	Pilots, from 100 to 150 rupees each, calculated at 150 rupees (or 45 pagodas)			135	0
2	Dâroghas, viz.
	1 in charge of the water, provisions, &c. of the ship: pay 7½ pagodas.
	1 in charge of tools, implements, and articles in store: pay 7½ pagodas			15	0
1	Physician and surgeon (in one)			9	0
1	Mirzâey Duftur, to keep the accounts of the ship, and also of the troops or marines			11	0
						242	0
Total monthly expence of a line of battle ship, while in port, includ­ing 346 persons of all denominations						1,471	5½
Expence of twenty line of battle ships						29,431	0
II. Establishment of each Frigate.
						Men.
Twenty ships, each having 180 men, of all denominations, on board.						Total 3,600
1st Musqueteers:
(1 Teep of Uskur, of 64 men) viz.
				Pagodas	Fanams
1	Teepdâr, pay 7 pagodas 8 fanams: subsistence 6 pagodas, calculated on 60 men, at 1 fanam each			13	8
Staff:
1	Shurbashurn			4	8
1	Nufeer-nuwâz			3	6
1	Shahnaey-nuwâz			3	6
						25	8
The above Teep being composed of 2 Yooz, of 30 men each, viz.
1	Yoozdâr, pay 7 pagodas 8¼ fanams			7	8¼
1	Surkheel			4	8
4	Jumaadârs, 4 pagodas 2 fanams each			16	8
24	Privates, 3 pagodas 6 fanams each			86	4
One Yooz -				115	8¼
Two Yooz -						231	6½
2d Gunners:
(1 Yooz of 29 men, viz.)
1	Yoozdâr, pay 4 pagodas 4 fanams: subsistence 3 pa­godas 5 fanams, calculated on 28 men, at ¼ fanam each			7	9
1	Surkheel, pay			4	8
3	Jumaadârs, pay 3 pagodas 6 fanams: subsistence 8 fanams, or 4 pagodas 4 fanams each			13	2
24	Privates, at 3 pagodas 6 fanams each			86	4
	112	3
3d Seamen:
(1 Jowk, or Gang, of 71 men.)
1	Jowkdâr, pay 3 pagodas: subsistence 3 pagodas 5 fanams, calculated on 70 men, at ½ fanam each			6	5
7	Dufaadârs, pay 3 pagodas each: subsis­tence 9 fanams, calculated on 9 men, at 1 fanam each		P.  F.        3   9 ea.=	27	3
63	Privates, from 21 to 30 fanams each: calculated at 3 pagodas			189	0
						222	8
Carried forward						592	5½
						Pagodas	Fanams
Brought forward						592	5½
4th Artificers:
2	Smiths			19	0
2	Carpenters
5th Officers and Staff:
	First Officer, pay 80 Imaumies, or rupees, (including horse)			24	0
	Second do. .. 60 rupees (without horse)			18	0
	Third do. ...... 50.. do. ........... (do.)			15	0
	Fourth do. .... 50.. do. ........... (do.)			15	0
						72	0
Staff:
2	Pilots, at from 100 to 150 rupees, or 45 pagodas each			90	0
2	Dâroghas, at 7½ pagodas each			15	0
1	Physician and Surgeon (in one)			9	0
1	Mirzâey Duftur			11	0
						125	0
	Total monthly expence of a frigate while in port					808	5
Expence of twenty frigates				16,171	pagodas
Add twenty line of battle Ships				29,431
	Total monthly expence of forty ships in port, exclusive of wear and tear, ammunition, stores, &c.			45,602	Cantarai pagodas
	Or nearly	38,000	Star pagodas
	Being, at eight shillings the Star pagoda,	£15,200	sterling
	Or, per annum	£182,400	*

The above pay and allowances were to be received by the men and officers when on shore. When afloat, or embarked, they were, in addition thereto, to receive the rations to be presently stated.

As a Meer Yumm might be occasionally employed with the fleet, it was ordered, that, in such cases, “a particularly good dinner, together with fruit,” should be daily provided; the expence of which was to be defrayed by government.

All the officers were to eat together. The following were the persons to whom rations were to be issued when afloat:

1	Meer Yumm,
1	Meer Buhr,
4	Sirdârs,
1	Mirzâey Duftur,
3	Pilots,
2	Dâroghas,
1	Physician and Surgeon.
13

To the above officers the following daily rations were to be served out:

Rice	¾ of a full Duk, or Seer.
Dâl (or split peas)	¼.......do.
Ghee	8 Jouz weight.*
Meat	½ short Duk, or Seer.
Salt	3 Jouz weight.
Tamarinds	2 .......do.
Turmeric	½. .....do.
Dry Garlic	½ ......do.
Onions	1½ ....do.
Coriander seed	¼. .....do.
Black pepper	1 .......do.

The following were the rations to be issued to the Musqueteers and Gunners; no distinction being made between men and officers:

Rice	1 Duk, or Seer.
Dâl	6 Jouz weight.
Ghee	4 .......do.
Salt	2 .......do.
Tamarinds	2 .......do.
Turmeric	½ ......do.
Dry Garlic	½. .....do.
Onions	1½ ....do.
Coriander seed	¼ ......do.
Black pepper	1 .......do.

Besides the above rations, it would appear that meat prepared with spices, and roasted (or made into Kubâbs), was to be kept in store, and served out once in every fifteen days, at the rate of a quarter of a short Seer per man.* The meat in question was to be cured or prepared with salt, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.

The seamen were each to be allowed daily

¾ of a full Seer of Rice,

¼ of ....do. ....... Dâl,

2 Jouz weight of Ghee,

2 ........do. ..... Salt.

They were to supply themselves with spices. Whether they were to partake, every fifteen days, of the Kubâbs above-mentioned, is uncertain.

The several officers of the marines and seamen were to see that their men had their appointed meals, before they took their own.

Prayers were to be performed every day, at the five appointed times. The first officer, or commander, was to officiate as priest on such occasions, and to deliver the appointed Waaz, or discourse; and the Dâroghas to recite the five prayers.

During the rainy season, the ships were to be laid up in the creek (probably Mirjân Creek), where they were to be placed under cover of sheds to be con­structed for the purpose; the necessary materials for which sheds were to be furnished by the Asofs of the adjacent districts. The seamen were to be employed in this service.

After mentioning that orders had been issued for the erection of two forts and some batteries at Hâfiz-Hisâr (commonly called Beed-kole, or Batcul), the Meer Yumms were directed, by the present ordinance, to examine carefully the ground in the vicinity of the aforesaid place, and having pitched upon proper spots for the works in question, to make a plan or drawing of the same, and transmit it to the Presence. They were to direct their particular attention to the two hills, or rocks, which would appear to form the entrance of the creek, or harbour, and to ascertain the exact distance between them, as well as the extent of the channel, or strait, formed by them. The depth of water, and the number of ships which might lie at anchor between these hills, were likewise to be ascertained and reported; when, “with the blessing of God,” forts and batteries were to be erected there.

A ship, named the Fukhur ûl Murâkib, is stated to be then lying in Mirjân Creek; and another, called the Futah Mûbâruk, in the creek at Hunâwar (Onore): both of them past repair. These ships were directed to be broken up with due care, and the iron, and other materials, obtained from them, to be used in the new ships ordered to be built.

Twelve small vessels, denominated Nugs, or Nuks, were, moreover, delivered, on the present occasion, in charge to the Meer Yumms. Of these, ten were galliots; five of them being at Mangalore, and five at Onore. Of the remaining two, one is called an Usud-Ilhye grab; and the other, a small Usud-Ilhye ship. The marines, and other people, belonging to the ships (i. e. I suppose, the crews which were destined for the vessels ordered to be built) were to be embarked upon these Nugs, which were to sail about the coast, in order that the men might thereby be duly trained in their respective duties. With the same view, it was directed that a kind of buoy should be anchored in some convenient situation, and a flag erected thereon, to serve as a mark for practising with great guns; in the management of which those attached to them were to be carefully instructed.

It is next observed, that it green wood be cut up according to the required dimensions, it will, when dry, be found to fall short of those dimensions. To avoid this inconvenience, it was directed, that the timber, after being felled and barked, should be kept one or two years; and when perfectly seasoned, be cut up, agreeably to the proposed standard.

The men required for the service of the fleet were, after being mustered in the Presence,* and duly sworn, to be dispatched to their respective destinations, as fast as they were entertained.

The accounts of the expenditure of the ships and crews, and of whatever related thereto, were to be carefully and minutely kept by the Meer Yumms and the Asofs of the provincial Kuchurries (having any connection with this branch of the service) in conjunction with each other. The movements and warlike opera­tions of the fleet were, likewise, to be directed conjointly by the Meer Yumms and the aforesaid Asofs. If the Sultan should, at any time, wish to employ the ships on any particular service against an enemy, he would issue his orders for the purpose in full council, or assembly, of the ministers of state.*

The Meer Yumms had it in charge to station two Yuzuks (or twelve men) with a Yoozdâr of the regular troops belonging to their department, at each of the Kohties, or factories, established, “by the favor of God,” at Muscat and Kutch; and which are said, on this, as well as on a former occasion, to be four in number, namely, two at Muscat and two at Kutch. The pay of these guards was to be issued by the Mirzâey Dufturs of the aforesaid factories, to whom the Meer Yumms were to make the necessary remittances for the purpose. The guards in question were to be relieved annually.*

The Meer Yumms, Meer Buhrs, and Serishtedârs, attached to the three several Kuchurries (or naval stations) of Jumâlâbâd, Wâjidâbâd, and Mâjidâbâd, were to repair, in the month of Ziljhijjeh of every year, and ten days before the Eed, or festival, celebrated in that month, to Seringapatam; there to deliver to the Presence an account of their respective receipts and disbursements, and to report the progress made at their respective stations, in the preparation of the vessels ordered to be built. The officers belonging to the ships, together with the several Teepdârs, the Mirzâey Dufturs, and the Dâroghas, were, in like manner, to repair every year, ten days before the Eed of Rumuzân, to the capital, for the purpose of delivering their respective accounts, and of reporting the state of their respective departments to the Presence.

To the foregoing ordinance is subjoined a supplementary section, dated 24th of Tukky, year Sâz, or A.M. 1225,* containing a detailed statement of the establishment of artificers appointed for the service of the three dock yards of Jumâ­lâbâd, Wâjidâbâd, and Mâjidâbâd, of which the following is an abstract.

		Men.	Monthly Pay and Subsistence. Cantarai Pagodas.
Carpenters (including three Chowdries and twelve Dufaadârs, and divided into twelve gangs of ten men, inclusive of one Dufaadâr		123	316
Smiths (including two Chowdries and four Dufaa­dârs) and divided in like manner into four gangs of eight men each, inclusive of one Dufaadâr		34	94
Total artificers to each dock-yard		157	410
Three dock-yards		471	1,230
Being per annum	Cantarai pagodas 14,760
	Or Star pagodas 12,300
which, at eight shillings the Star pagoda, makes			£4,920	sterling
If this sum be added to			£182,400
the annual amount of the pay and allowances of the officers, marines, and seamen, we shall have, for the total annual fixed charges of the marine (exclusive of provisions, and the salaries of the Meer Yumms, not specified.)			£187,320