“A nation that ignores the sea ignores its future.” —Adapted from Admiral Seydi Ali Reis’s enduring maritime vision!


In 1657, Katib Çelebi presented 260 pages to the Ottoman sultan, Mehmed IV. This work, Tuhfetül–kibar fi esfari’l-bihar, or The Gift to the Great Ones on Naval Campaigns, was the first comprehensive literary work on the history of the Ottoman navy. Although often neglected by Western historians, the Ottomans’ naval supremacy over the Mediterranean lasted approximately the same period as the US Navy’s pre-eminence since World War II. Such a sea power deserves deep examination. Seydi Ali Reis, also known as Sidi Ali Reis and Sidi Ali Ben Hossein, was an Ottoman Admiral, a specialist navigator, also referred to as Katib-i Rumi, Galatali, or Sidi Ali Çelebi or Katib Çelebi.


In the annals of naval history, few works stand as timeless and strategic as The Gift to the Great Ones. Far more than a chronicle of voyages, this treatise blends strategic foresight, naval diplomacy, and maritime resilience—an intellectual compass that can profoundly guide Bangladesh’s journey towards becoming a proactive maritime nation.


Rediscovering Our Maritime Identity


Bangladesh, situated at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, right on the confluence of the two majestic oceans, the Indian and the Pacific Ocean, has long been a maritime nation by geography but has only recently begun to assert itself as one through policy and strategy. With 118,813 sq. km. of maritime space now legally secured under the UNCLOS framework, the nation is positioned at a vital juncture. The challenge is no longer to defend maritime rights—but to lead, to innovate, and to command respect in the wider Indo-Pacific region.


Admiral Seydi Ali Reis’s masterpiece provides an extraordinary perspective on how seafaring states can craft grand strategies. His meticulous documentation of naval engagements, storm navigation, diplomatic missions, and regional alliances reveals how maritime power can serve broader national objectives. His work reminds us: a maritime nation is not defined merely by its coastline, but by the character and competence of those who sail its waters and shape its destiny.


Strategy and Sovereignty: Lessons from the Past


In The Gift to the Great Ones, Seydi Ali Reis describes his naval odyssey through the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal—regions that are again at the heart of today’s geopolitical realignments. His voyages were not merely conquests; they were missions of diplomacy, deterrence, and strategic communication. He interacted with kings, negotiated passage, understood cultural terrains, and sought alliances. Bangladesh, situated between South and Southeast Asia, can emulate this multidimensional maritime diplomacy. The evolving concept of Defence Diplomacy—particularly maritime or, when necessary, naval diplomacy—is crucial in building trust, ensuring sea-lane security, and leveraging opportunities in the blue economy. Bangladesh Navy, now a relatively modern and confident force, must be the vanguard of such engagements.


Naval Power as Strategic Capital


Modern naval power is not about fleets alone—it is about foresight, freedom of navigation, environmental stewardship, and national resilience. The Bangladesh Navy's transformation from a brown-water to a credible green-water force must now be coupled with strategic vision. Seydi Ali’s emphasis on preparedness, adaptability during storms, and intellectual leadership at sea speaks directly to the need for strategic doctrine, maritime domain awareness, and multi-agency cooperation.
Moreover, the Admiral’s accounts of crossing tempestuous seas highlight the enduring principle of "command under chaos"—a virtue that modern naval officers and maritime leaders must internalize as they confront hybrid threats, climate change, and complex emergencies.


Maritime Nationhood in the Age of the Blue Economy


Bangladesh’s aspiration to unlock its Blue Economy requires more than economic ambition. It needs a maritime consciousness. Seydi Ali's work, while rooted in the 16th century, speaks timelessly about the nexus between sea power and state power. Today’s blue economy is not limited to fisheries or hydrocarbons; it encompasses biotechnology, marine tourism, subsea data cables, and oceanic research. Here again, naval foresight is essential—not only to secure resources but also to shape the rules of the maritime order.


In the tradition of Seydi Ali’s intellectual rigor, Bangladesh must invest in maritime education, oceanographic research, and blue innovation. Institutions like Bangladesh Maritime University (BMU), a maritime research think tank like Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD), Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI), all other marine institutions, and the port authorities can act as intellectual and economic anchors in this transformation. The port authorities can do more to promote marine research in our country, which will act as a premium for not only the ports but also for the overall enhancement of the blue economy activities.


The Way Forward: A Maritime Doctrine for the Nation


The Gift to the Great Ones is not merely a historical record; it is a strategic manual in narrative form. Bangladesh must now chart its own “gift” to future generations by establishing a national maritime doctrine—one that links security, economy, ecology, and diplomacy. Such a doctrine must be interdisciplinary, whole-of-nation in scope, and future-ready.


As the Indo-Pacific becomes the theatre of cyber-connected 21st-century “center of gravity” and the hub for power competition, Bangladesh has both the right and responsibility to engage constructively. Not as a pawn, but as a seasoned principled participant, guided by its maritime history, strategic geography, and sovereign choices.


Conclusion: The Call of the Sea


The sea has always been a source of wonder, wealth, and warfare. From the pages of Seydi Ali Reis’s epic work to the decks of Bangladesh Navy ships today, the ocean continues to test and reveal the soul of nations. As Bangladesh rises to meet this maritime moment, it must do so with courage drawn from history, clarity rooted in strategy, and commitment anchored in national interest. Bangladesh’s maritime destiny awaits—not in distant dreams, but in decisive actions.


Writer: Commodore Syed Misbah Uddin Ahmad, (C), NUP, ndc, afwc, psc, BN (retd), Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD). Email: misbah28686@gmail.com