Osprey - Men at Arms 545 - Medieval Indian Armies (1).pdf

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Dedication

For Lisa Priya and Charlotte Isla, ‘casting a golden glow over the declining

years’.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHRONOLOGY

POLITICAL SYSTEMS AND FRAGMENTATION

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND UNITY

ELEPHANTS, HORSES AND CAMELS

COMMUNICATIONS, TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY

ARMS AND ARMOUR

FURTHER READING

PLATE COMMENTARIES

MEDIEVAL INDIAN ARMIES (1)

HINDU, BUDDHIST AND JAIN

INTRODUCTION

hile some medieval Chinese scholars referred to ‘five Indias’ even within

the Indian subcontinent, some studies of medieval Indian costume have

overstated the similarity between the north and south, focusing on a common

culture which tended towards uniformity and too often overlooking the

climatic differences which made for variety.

Other difficulties arise from the fact that some on the nationalist wing of

Indian scholarship still regard the medieval period as one of Hindu failure in

the face of Islamic aggression. In fact there was no lack of courage or

commitment on the part of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain rulers and peoples.

Nevertheless, some attribute Muslim military success to political failures by

non-Islamic rulers, ignoring comparable fragmentation on the Muslim side,

and to a straightforward inferiority in military structures, armaments,

organization and tactics. One scholar even summarized these centuries by

suggesting that the fall of Hindu society was the outcome of cultural and

political suicide rather than murder (Prakash 1962: 115–17).

Then there is the question of the Indian caste system, which was

fundamental to traditional Hindu religious beliefs and social structures. It has

also been widely blamed for medieval Hindu political and military failures

when compared to the theoretical egalitarianism of Islamic civilization. What

is clear is that, unlike most previous invaders, the Muslims did not integrate

into Hindu civilization, but remained separate and distinct while striving for

political and cultural domination.