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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 27 9
the thanks of the Gnicovvar, who presented him with a sword
and a pahmkin, in which to go to Court on state occasions, and
conferred on him the rank of captain in his service—honours
and gifts the bestowal of which were ap])roved h}' the Govern-
ment of Bombay in Council, and by the Court of Directors.
Further to enable him to support the eight bearers necessary to
carry the palanquin when attending at Court, the Guicowar
granted him the village of Velun, near Din Head.*
In 1815, in consequence of the continued depredations of
the piratical tribes of Cutch against neighbouring States in
alliance with the Company, the Governor of Bombay ordered a
squadron of cruisers, under Captain Blast, including the
'Vestal.' Lieutenant James Watkins, and ' Sylph,' Lieutenant
James Arthur, to be despatched to blockade the coasts, and
issued a proclamation to that effect. He also directed the
despatch of a body of troops, composed of H.M. 17th Dragoons
and 65th Reginient, the Hon. Company's European Regiment,
and three companies of Native Artillery, under the couunand of
Colonel East. After a brief siege, a detachment, under Colonel
Barclay, captured Anjar. about two miles from Bhooj, the
capital of Cutch, while the main column proceeded to
Okhamundel,t where the squadron, under Captain Grant,
* The following is a copy of the letter of the Guicowar, dated 23rd October,
1817, conferring these honours :
" Anund Rao Guicowar ISena Khaskjl Sliunisheer Bahadur writes his compli-
ments.
"The distinguished ralour and courage which you displayed \\hilst in company
with Vitell Row Dewanjee Soobali of Kattywar, Marluckgury, have been duly
brought to tlie notice of tliis Government by the above-named otlicer, as also by
Captain James Kivett Carnac, Resident. From this we are sensible of your
being interested in tlie welfare of this Government. Likewise the gallant conduct,
discipline, and military knowledge which you evinced whilst in connnand of the
Artillery at the siege and capture of the Fort of Kundorna, and other various
meritorious services rendered by you; as also your exertions, valour, ])crseverance
on a late occasion, while in command of the Sirkar pattamars, in saving numerous
merchant vessels, and capturing two of the vessels belonging to the pirates, have
all been brought to the notice of tliis Government. This Governmeut, there-
fore, entertain the highest ojiinion of your ability and merits.
" The Government is also mucli gratified to learn your conciliatory conduct in
preserving the friendshij:) and attachment of their servants and subjects in
general.
" The Government therefore grants you as a mark and token of its apjiroba-
tion of the various meritorious services which you have, from time to time,
rendered, the rank of Captain, with a suitable uniform and sword. In order to
enable you to accompany the Soobah on his joui'neys. and to travel by land, a
palanqueen is grantetl to you by the Sirka, in which you are to ride.
" What more can be said?"
t Okhamundel is derived from two words, okha., Punjabi for " bad," and
mendel, a term applied to any district or division. The inhabitants of tiie penin-
sula are called Wadhel Rajpoots and ^^'aghers, and tlic latter liave ever been a
notorious race of pirates, who have resisted all authority and given rise to nume-
rous expeditions on the part both of Native rulers and the British Government.
Of the entire length of the Kattywar coast, one liundred and sixty miles, the
northern portion, thirty miles, forms Okhamundel, and is almost severed from tlie
main by the Runn of Cutch, a mud Hat snbnieiged in the rainy season. The