Navy Rank to be renamed in line with Indian tradition
- December 5, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Navy Rank to be renamed in line with Indian tradition
Subject : History
Section: Medieval India
Context: Navy Day function at Sindhudurg Fort
More about the news:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to rename ranks in the Indian Navy to reflect Indian culture, erasing colonial military lineage.
- During the Navy Day function at Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, PM Modi stated that the epaulettes worn by Naval officers would now carry the symbol of Shivaji Maharaj’s army.
- He congratulated the Navy for appointing the country’s first woman commanding officer on a naval ship.
- The PM emphasized the nation’s move towards self-reliance and praised Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, stating that the new epaulettes would carry the symbol of Shivaji Maharaj’s army.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the unveiling of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue a moment of privilege, highlighting Shivaji’s recognition of the relevance of the Navy.
- Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar acknowledged Shivaji’s foresight in investing in sea power and mentioned the new insignia inspired by Shivaji Maharaj’s royal seal.
Some facts about Chola Navy
- The Chola navy was known for its innovative shipbuilding techniques and advancements in naval warfare.
- They developed specialized warships with multiple decks, powerful catapults, and effective incendiary weapons.
- Several Chola kings emerged as skilled naval commanders, including:
- Aditya Chola I (871-907 CE): Expanded the Chola navy and initiated naval raids against neighboring kingdoms.
- Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014 CE): Established Chola dominance over the seas, defeating the Sri Lankan navy and launching expeditions to Southeast Asia.
- Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 CE): Conquered the kingdom of Srivijaya in present-day Indonesia, marking the Chola navy’s peak power.
- Some of famous Chola Ports are:
- Poompuhar: Situated on the Kaveri River Delta, Poompuhar was the oldest and most prominent Chola port. It served as a major trading hub, connecting India with Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean.
- Nagapattinam: Located on the Bay of Bengal, Nagapattinam was another major port and a strategic location for Chola naval operations. It provided access to maritime routes and facilitated trade with neighboring kingdoms.
- Kulachal: Situated on the Malabar Coast, Kulachal was a significant trading hub and a gateway to the Indian Ocean. It was particularly important for spice trade with Southeast Asia.
- Korkai: Located on the Vaigai River, Korkai was an early and important Chola port. It served as a center for maritime trade and cultural exchange with the Roman Empire.
- Kadalur: Situated on the Pennar River, Kadalur was a strategic port and a base for Chola naval operations in the lower reaches of the river. It played a role in controlling the trade routes in the region.
- Thoothukudi: Located on the shores of the Palk Strait, Thoothukudi was a bustling port and a major center for trade and shipbuilding. It facilitated maritime connections with the Sri Lankan subcontinent.
Some facts about Maratha Navy
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj put great emphasis on sea-faring prowess, and laid the foundations of a modern naval force in the 17th century.
- Shivaji’s strategic thought ensured that a strong naval presence was established along the Konkan coast to protect the sea trade of the Maratha empire. As per an Indian Navy document,
- Shivaji built ships in towns such as Kalyan, Bhivandi, and Goa, both for trade and to establish a fighting navy. “He also built a number of sea forts and bases for repair, storage and shelter.
- Shivaji fought many lengthy battles with Siddis of Janjira on coastline. The fleet grew to reportedly 160 to 700 merchant, support and fighting vessels. He started trading with foreigners on his own after possession of eight or nine ports in the Deccan,
- His fleet was equipped with ghurabs (gunboats) and gallivats (row boats).
- The Maratha Navy was primarily a coastal “green water” navy, compared to an ocean-going or “blue water” navy.
- Their ships were dependent on land/sea breezes. The Maratha did not build ships large enough to engage the British out at sea far from the coastal waters
- Some of Notable Commanders and Victories of Marathas:
- Kanhoji Angre, the renowned Maratha admiral, played a crucial role in expanding the navy’s power and establishing its supremacy in the Konkan region.
- The Maratha Navy inflicted significant defeats on the Portuguese, Siddis of Janjira, and the English East India Company, challenging their dominance in the region.
- Their victories, such as the Battle of Colaba (1662) and the Battle of Vishakhapatnam (1719), demonstrated their prowess and established their reputation as a formidable naval force.
- Some of the famous ports were:
- Kalyan, Ratnagiri, Khanderi, Colaba along the Konkan coast and Golrah, Harishpur, Bishenpur, and Manikpatna: along the Odisha coast