divisions, and twenty-seven Kashúns[1] or regiments, each Kashún containing 1,392 men (of whom 1,056 carried muskets) with a suitable staff, combatant and non-combatant. A Jáuk, or company of rocket-men, was attached to each Kashún, and also two guns. The cavalry force was divided into three establishments – (1) Regular Cavalry, (2) Silahdárs, who provided their own horses, and (3) Kazzáks, or Predatory Cavalry. Of these the first, called 'Sawár Askar,' comprised three Kachahris or divisions, consisting each of six Mokabs or regiments of 376 troopers. The Silahdárs mustered 6,000 horse, and the Kazzáks 8,000.
Nor did the necessity for maintaining a fleet escape the vigilant eye of Tipú Sultán. His ordinance on the subject, although merely a paper edict which was never carried into effect, is not a little curious. In 1796 a Board of Admiralty, consisting of eleven persons, was nominated under the appellation of Mír Yam, or sea-lords, under whom were to be thirty Mír Bahar or commanders of the fleet. The navy was to consist of twenty line-of-battle ships, and twenty large frigates, of which six of each class were to be stationed at Jamálábád or Mangalore, seven of each at Wájidábád near the Mirján creek,
- ↑ The word Kashún or Kshún, though adopted into the Persian language, is apparently derived from the Sanskrit 'Aksháuhini,' but had formerly a much more extended signification. The 'Kshúns' mentioned in the Mahábhárata, each comprised 2,730 elephants, 2,730 chariots, 7,290 horsemen, and 12,150 foot.
