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Large, fast, mainly Indian-built trader reported as early as the 16th century. In a modifiеd form, still plies the waters of the Arabian Sea,traveling to the east coast of Africa, into the Persian(Arabian) Gulf, and along the Indian coast. A few built in Sri Lanka and at Persian Gulf ports. The kotia similar to the Arab-built baghla*, and is often called a baghla and its variant names. A superficially modified kotia used by Arabs is called a ganja*. The kotia of the Maldive Islands was called a buggalow . An aft-facing, stylized parrot's head on the stemhead, a castellated poop, raked transom stern with vestigial quarter galleries, and the 5 stern windows of the baghla were distinctive of early kotias. Modern craft often have painted scenes in place of the stern carving and windows. Hull strongly built, bottom sometimes coppered; heavily oiled and stained above the waterline; bottom coated with white pitch.Topsides were often gaily painted. Modern kotias not oiled but painted in a variely of colors, and the stemhead painted while. Long grab stem, strongly raked; bow low, considerable sheer. Rudder passed through the poop in the older vessels; on new models, it is lashed to the sternpost. Steered with either tiller or wheel. Fully decked; square hatches; an undecked kotia may be called a pahala. Generally carries a large muchwa* and a small dhoni* on deck.Two masted mainly, but some also step a small mast outboard over the stern. The main- and mizzen-mast may both rake forward, or the mizzen may be vertical. Square topsail set from a light, short topmast.Large masts rigged with a forestay and a pair of shrouds on each side. Lateen sails; main yard maybe longer than the vessel; mainsail tacked to a spar rigged out over the bow. Several spars at the stern serve as outriggers to the mizzen sheet and the small transom sail. Some set a jib. Most now have engines also.
Crew of 8-20, depending on size. Reported lengs 9-20m; e.g., length 15m, beam 7m, depth 3m.

State of Bahrain 1979;100f;SG 262

Sourse: Source : A Dictionary of the world’s Watercraft from Aak to Zumbra.
C.Hawkins:The Dhow

The Kotia,because of its similarity to the baghla has often been referred to be the latter name and to complicate this problem of nomenclature the Maldive Islands kotias were called buggalows,even by those who owned them.This name is probably a corruption of baghla or baggalah .
Маldive Islands 1975 1LA sg586
Sourse:C.Hawkins:The Dhow.Page 92.