Vessels and Weapons
Even before the accounts of the 1st century BCE, there were written accounts of shipbuilding and war-craft at sea. Professor R.C. Majumdar says that there existed a comprehensive book of naval-architecture in India dating back to 2nd century BCE, if not earlier.
During the reign of Raja Raja and his son, there were a complex classification of class of vessels and its utility. Some of the survived classes' name and utility are below.
- Dharani - The equivalent of modern-day destroyers designed to take combat to high-seas.
- Loola - The equivalent of modern day corvettes; designed to perform light combat and escort duties.
- Vajra - The equivalent of a frigate maybe, a fast attack craft lightly armored.
- Thirisadai - Probably the battle cruisers or battleships of the day, they are reported to be armored heavily and could engage more than 2 targets in combat, and relied on its built rather than speed to survive and attack.
Though all ships of the time employed a small Marine force (for boarding enemy vessels), this class of ship seems to have had a separate cabins and training area for them. This ship also is said to be able to engage in asymmetrical warfare.
| Dharani | The primary weapons platform with extensive endurance (up to 3 months), they normally engaged in groups and avoided one on one encounters. | Probably equivalent to modern day Destroyers. |
| Lola | They were lightly armored, fast attack vessels. Normally performed escort duties. They could not perform frontal assaults. | Equivalent to modern day Corvettes. |
| Vajara | They were highly capable fast attack crafts, typically used to reinforce/rescue a stranded fleet. | Probably equivalent to modern day Frigates. |
| Thirisadai | The heaviest class known, they had extensive war-fighting capabilities and endurance, with a dedicated marine force of around 400 Marines to board enemy vessels. They are reported to be able to engage three vessels of Dharani class, hence the name Thirisadai, which means, three braids. (Braid was also the time's name for oil-fire.) | This class can be attributed/compared to modern Battle cruisers or Battleships. |
Apart from class definitions, there are names of Royal Yachts and their architecture. Some of which are,
- Akramandham - A royal Yacht with the Royal quarters in the stern.
- Neelamandham - A royal Yacht with extensive facilities for conducting courts and accommodation for hi-officials/ministers.
- Sarpammugam - these were smaller yachts used in the Rivers (with ornamental snake heads)
In addition to these, we find many names of Ship classes in Purananuru and its application in both inland waters and open oceans. Some of them are,
- Yanthiram - Hybrid ship employing bot sails and oars or probably Paddle wheels of some type (as Yanthiram is literally translated to mechanical wheel)
- Kalam - Large vessels with 3 masts which can travel in any direction irrespective of winds.
- Punai - medium sized vessels that can be used to coastal shipping as well as inland.
- Patri - Large barge type vessel used to ferrying trade goods.
- Oodam - Small boat with large oars.
- Ambi - Medium sized boat with a single mast and oars.
- Toni - small boat used in rocky terrain.
Read more about this topic: Chola Navy
Famous quotes containing the words vessels and/or weapons:
“First, there is the power of the Wind, constantly exerted over the globe.... Here is an almost incalculable power at our disposal, yet how trifling the use we make of it! It only serves to turn a few mills, blow a few vessels across the ocean, and a few trivial ends besides. What a poor compliment do we pay to our indefatigable and energetic servant!”
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