Akbar's Rockets

First Previous

Page

Frequent Posters

Donjas

@Donjas

Dazzler

Posted: 9 years ago

#21

Originally posted by: sanrajfan1
I also saw the documentary...it was amazing...I had also heard that in the American national anthem, when they speak of the rocket's red glare...they had visions of the rockets from India (Akbar's rockets) that had something to do with the line in the American national anthem.!!

Thanks for response. What you say is fascinating stuff. I never knew this. I learn so much on this forum.

Quote

Donjas

@Donjas

Dazzler

Posted: 9 years ago

#22

Originally posted by: Coolpree
Very interesting information! I am no war aficionado, but that must have made a very impressive sight. A 16th century version of creating " shock and Awe" in the hearts of the opponents.
As far as having a navy is concerned, I am absolutely shocked Akbar or at least his successors did not have one. I agree with Adiana and Shyamala that had he lived longer he probably would have had one...he did after all have some very large ships going for trade and pilgrimage.

BTW: 500 yrs before Akbar, the Chola dynasty of Tamil Nadu had a powerful Navy that they use very effectively for military conquest to Sri Lanka and the far east. As far as I know they are the first eastern empire to have a formal , powerful navy. That's a staggering achievement by any standards. So the technology was present in the region I assume...why did the mughals not develop a powerful navy I wonder.

A powerful navy may have changed the equation in a place like the Deccan especially for Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb maybe? It only goes to show that Akbar did all the hard work and his successors just withered the advantage away slowly but surely.

Preeti

Very interesting info on the Chola Empire. Great to know it. South India has always pioneered naval endeavors. I don't know much about the history of that period, but it may have been the navy which helped in the spread of Indian civilization to Cambodia and ultimately Ankor Vat.

Quote

Looks like you are new here. Register for free, learn and contribute.

Coolpree

@Coolpree

Explorer

Posted: 9 years ago

#23

Thanks Shyamala, learnt 2 new pieces of info today. I have highlighted them in bold below. The Sidi's I had forgotten about completely ..I had to look that up. fascinating!

So as to your reference in bold about the cholas...can we credit them for the spread of hinduism to the far east? I have also read that the first Indian embassy to the court of the chinese emperor was also sent by a Chola king I think.

Yes Maham's quote on Samrat Akbar is spot on 😛!

Originally posted by: sashashyam
Yes, Preeti, the Cholas had an impressive navy, and they went beyond Sri Lanka and our immediate neighbourhood to as far as Indochina, for trade. They were the only Indian emperors to hold territory overseas, ie outside India.

A powerful Mughal navy would have kept the European colonisers in their place, and not let the East India Company take over India bit by bit. See what the Sidis were able to do for 450 years from their stronghold in Janjira! But sadly, your last para is spot on.

Maham was so right when she says Jalal ek aisa sipahi hai jo sadiyon mein ek bar paida hota hai. To sipahi, I would add samrat.

Shyamala

Edited by Coolpree - 9 years ago