Mughal Army
Encyclopedia
The Mughal Army was the army of the Mughal Empire
.
Mirza Najaf Khan
was commander in chief of the Mughal Army from 1772 till his death in April 1782.
The art of Mughal warfare brought about a complete change in the way wars were fought in the Indian
subcontinent. The Muslim armies that invaded India in the 11th and 12th centuries were small yet the art of their warfare made them invincible. They brought with them techniques and instruments of warfare that were hitherto unheard of in the sub-continent. The soldiers were protected
from physical attack by means of a complete shield of armour from head to foot, their daggers and swords were made of superior alloys, and they brought with them the use of gunfire in warfare. That is why despite the courage and valour of the Indian armies a small group of warriors was able to overtake them and lay the foundation for the Mughal Empire.
recruited. This is particularly true of the Rajputs in Rajasthan. These Hindu warriors were allowed to train and function under their own respective Kings and Rajahs. The army was divided into infantry, artillery and cavalry of which cavalry was the most important.
corresponding unit for protection-head, torso and limbs. Discussed below are the various body protection units used by the Mughal
warriors.
shield against incoming weapons like arrows and lances. This had become popular among the Mongols in the fifteenth century and
the Mughals continued its usage right until the Seventeenth century. The coat of mail worn by the ruler and high ranking Amirs
reached right up to the knees and was elaborately decorated even with gold bands. Under this was worn a linen or cotton smock
which worked as a kind of talisman with writings from the scriptures printed on it. Apart from the Bukhtar, another kind of armour
was the Angirkha, where an armour vest was worn under the coat and the Jama was over the Garment to make it in visible. This was
usually worn for the protection of the Royal family.
Apart from the mail coat, the cavalry was additionally protected by forearm defences, thigh and knee defences. Arm braces and leg
armour of the higher ranks were very expensive, and in the case of the Emperor, the arm braces reached up to the elbows and were
lined with velvet.
wood and leather (Juna) hides of animals like buffalo and Deer and even crocodile, tortoise and Rhinoceros skin with the last being Forum on History of India
a prized possession. Shields known as Sipar were made of iron and steel.
The helmet was fitted like cap and had neck protector attached to it. The Emperor used to wear a helmet made of gold. The helmet typically Mughal outfit which was continued in use by subsequent rulers.
importance in warfare. It was on the horses that the warriors were seated and they had to move around the war field on horseback
as well. It was therefore of prime importance to protect them from injury. The armour for the horses was made of separate metal
pieces that would be fitted on the horse to protect the entire length of its body. A flat metal plate was moulded to fit on their heads
to protect their faces from the onslaught of arrows.
The Mughal rulers, in order to ensure superior stock even instituted certain programs for the purpose of breeding horses. Indigenous
breeds were found along the river valleys of the Deccan and Kutch (Gujarat). However the best quality horses were those that were brought from Iran via the Hindukush Mountains. Royal horses used in warfare were stamped with the official seal in order to
distinguish them from other animals of a lower stock.
major development in war was made by the introduction of gunpowder in Indian battle, a feat never accomplished before. Among
the commonly used weapons are the sword and dagger, guns and cannon, archery and the extensive use of cavalry and infantry
during war.
A major change was brought about in the shape and quality of swords since after the advent of the Mughal rule. They brought with
them the curved sword, as opposed to the heavy straight swords with rounded ends as was in use at the time. These were sleek,
sharp. Curved and made of a superior alloy of iron. The most superior quality blades were imported from Iran and made of crucible
steel which gave it a crystalline appearance was capable of cutting deep into the armour and bodies of their adversaries. The ruler
always carried with him a sword enclosed in a red sheath. The `Indo-Muslim` hilt, with its typical dish-shaped pommel, seems to
have been introduced by the Mughals, and spread throughout India together with the curved-blade, or Talwar. The Mughals and their
successors continued to patronize this tradition through royal workshops or Karkhana, and some of the most exquisite items still in
existence came from this source
The finest among the swords was considered to be the Shamsher. It was a curved sword with a sharp edge that was primarily used
as a cutting weapon. This type of sword was of great value and in fact later went on to become one of the most preferred swords
and part of the couture of the Hindu Rajput warriors, called the Khanda.
was kept hidden in the boot of the horseman (Khuff).This was used as a secondary weapon.
The use of bows and arrows, after its skilled usage in the hands of the Central Asian Turks, continued to be practiced by the
Mughals. The Bow, typically double- curved, was carried in a container known as the Qirban whereas arrows were carried in quivers
called Tarkash. The Mughals were quite skilled in archery and have even been known to poison the tip of the arrows to incapacitate
the enemy. Special care was taken even in the manufacturing of these weapons. Bow-makers were sent to special training centres in
Damascus and then only the best were allowed to manufacture the same for the purpose of warfare.
from the damage on impact, the explosion served to disorient and frighten the horses and elephants. This allowed the cavalry to
charge in and prevent the enemies from forming strategies and countering the attack. Cannons, though extremely effective, were
quite problematic to transport because of their size and weight. The cannon balls themselves were five hundred forty pounds and the
cannon had to be matched accordingly to bear this weight.
From the late fifteenth century there was widespread use of firearms-cannons, muskets and mortars. They were considerably
improved and extensively used during the reign of Akbar. In fact the emperor himself had an impressive collection of arms
categorized according to weight, make etc. were a large number of musketeers in the Mughal army as muskets tended to overheat
and were slow to reload.
other weapons used by the Mughals include maces (Gada), with a dome shaped head and a handle and knob at the end, Piyazi and
Garguz shaped like an onion and a flower with eight petals respectively. In order to break the helmet and armour of the enemy
soldiers, Shapshar and Amud were used. War axes were great favourites of the infantry as were the Jaghnol-a sharp blade fitted
with a spike at the back to pierce through the armour. The tiger claw or Bagh Nakh was another lethal weapon used to disembowel
an enemy. This was often used for the purpose of political assassination
Armed with these various weapons of war, the Mughals reigned supreme in the Indian subcontinent as consequent wars and
sustained victories led to the growth of a vast Empire. Many of their practices were later taken up and continued by the different
Indian rulers, most noted among them the Rajputs.
Sometimes two Ahadees Maintain only one horse. Their duties are irregular. These type of Ahadees including clerksin Royal offices, Painters in Emperor's Durbar, supervisors in Royal Factories. Many of them are used as Auxiliaries. They carry the Orders of Emperors. In the time of Shajahan, There number is 7000. They Send to the Battlefield regularly. These auxiliary soldiers equally spread all types units as scouts. Some men also worked as artillery, archers.
after the 16th century, consisted of a soldier on a camel with a mounted swivel
gun (a small falconet), which was hinged on a metal fork-rest protruding from the saddle of the animal. In order to fire the cannon, the camel would be put on its knees. The name may be derived from Arabic zambūr, hornet (possibly in reference to the sound earlier camel-mounted crossbows made). The mobility of the camel combined with the flexibility and heavy firepower of the swivel gun to make an intimidating military unit.
The soldier type was probably introduced by Egyptian Mamluk
warriors who originally mounted large crossbows on the camels, the Zamburak was rapidly adopted by especially by the Persian Safavid armies, the Zamburak was introduced into the Mughal Empire
by Mughal Emperor Humayun
, Zamburak were used against the invading British
in the Anglo-Afghan Wars.
The elephant had a ceremonial and almost power status in the traditional Mughal court. It did have a primary role on the battlefield in early Mughal armies but was supplanted by the faster horse archer. Despite this there were often several thousands, if not tens of thousands of elephants in the Mughal army. The elephant could serve the role of a command platform to keep the general above the crowd of the battle, although it also meant that if the soldiers saw an empty seat on top of an elephant that they may think that the general was dead and flee. l seat Elephants were also kept in the reserve to move in as a very obvious block or counter penetration force if the Mughal battle line was broken. As gunpowder weapons became more prevalent on the Indian battlefield the elephant lost its place even more. It was relegated to being a beast of burden to move weapons and supplies to the front line. It did however maintain the besieging role to pull down fortifications.
The elephant was as much a victim of gunpowder as was the European knight. Unlike the knight however, the elephant did not evolve on the battlefield to a new role but disappeared from the front lines and was pushed further back.
word Sipahi, the word was commonly used by Mughal
s and Safavids to describe individual infantry soldiers, the Ottoman
Turks used the word to describe the elite Cavalry Sipahi
.
The Sipahi were native Mughal musketeer units in the Mughal Empire
s basic military units, most of them carried Talwar
s and Sheilds, a special class known as the Atishbaz
carried Mughal guns such as Muskets, the Atishbaz served under a Mir Atish (Mir of gunpowder
weaponry).
Most notable are the Golden Howdah, used traditionally during the Jamboo Savari (Elephant Procession) of the famous Mysore Dasara. The Museum at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan has a gallery of royal Howdahs.
Most notable are the Golden Howdah, used traditionally during the Jamboo Savari (Elephant Procession) of the famous Mysore Dasara. The Museum at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan has a gallery of royal Howdahs.
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
.
Mirza Najaf Khan
Mirza Najaf Khan
Mirza Najaf Khan was a Persian adventurer in the court of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II. He had royal lineage, having been a Safavi prince, when that dynasty was deposed by Nader Shah in 1735. He came to India around 1740 and may even have come a year earlier with the Afsharids. His sister married...
was commander in chief of the Mughal Army from 1772 till his death in April 1782.
The art of Mughal warfare brought about a complete change in the way wars were fought in the Indian
subcontinent. The Muslim armies that invaded India in the 11th and 12th centuries were small yet the art of their warfare made them invincible. They brought with them techniques and instruments of warfare that were hitherto unheard of in the sub-continent. The soldiers were protected
from physical attack by means of a complete shield of armour from head to foot, their daggers and swords were made of superior alloys, and they brought with them the use of gunfire in warfare. That is why despite the courage and valour of the Indian armies a small group of warriors was able to overtake them and lay the foundation for the Mughal Empire.
Mansabdari System
The Mughal army was interrelated with the Mansabdari system, which was introduced by Akbar. He paid 240 rupees to Manasabdar as salary for every Sawar for a year. But Jahangeer reduced it to 200 rupees. The Emperor paid his own sawars based on their nationality: more to Mugal soldiers than Hindustani Muslims or Rajputs. Munsadar retained 5% of a soldier's salary. These savings were available to them in emergencies. Emperors liked their army to be a mix of Irani, Turani, Mughal, Indian Afghan, and Rajput soldiers, in order to eliminate the differences of tribes and caste. On some special occasions Mughal or Rajput mansabdars allow to recruit their own men.Recruitment in the Mughal Army
The Mansabdars or high ranking officials of the Mughal administrative system did the process of recruitment for the grand Mughal army. Men from military families who provided their own horses were recruited as cavalrymen. Initially they were mainly Muslim recruits. However as the Empire grew stronger in India, a number of Hindu warriors from the Kshatriya and warring castes wererecruited. This is particularly true of the Rajputs in Rajasthan. These Hindu warriors were allowed to train and function under their own respective Kings and Rajahs. The army was divided into infantry, artillery and cavalry of which cavalry was the most important.
Mughal War Outfit
The Mughals had an all-encompassing outfit for war that would secure maximum protection. Every part of the body had acorresponding unit for protection-head, torso and limbs. Discussed below are the various body protection units used by the Mughal
warriors.
Armour of mail and plate
A coat made of a combination of mail and plate was worn as body armour. This was known as the Bukhtar. Thick metal acted as ashield against incoming weapons like arrows and lances. This had become popular among the Mongols in the fifteenth century and
the Mughals continued its usage right until the Seventeenth century. The coat of mail worn by the ruler and high ranking Amirs
reached right up to the knees and was elaborately decorated even with gold bands. Under this was worn a linen or cotton smock
which worked as a kind of talisman with writings from the scriptures printed on it. Apart from the Bukhtar, another kind of armour
was the Angirkha, where an armour vest was worn under the coat and the Jama was over the Garment to make it in visible. This was
usually worn for the protection of the Royal family.
Apart from the mail coat, the cavalry was additionally protected by forearm defences, thigh and knee defences. Arm braces and leg
armour of the higher ranks were very expensive, and in the case of the Emperor, the arm braces reached up to the elbows and were
lined with velvet.
Shields
Shields were also used for the purpose of protection. This was made out a variety of materials such as cane and bamboo (Pahri),wood and leather (Juna) hides of animals like buffalo and Deer and even crocodile, tortoise and Rhinoceros skin with the last being Forum on History of India
a prized possession. Shields known as Sipar were made of iron and steel.
Helmet of Mail and Plate
As headgears, helmets and chain mail were extensively used. This enabled the men to clearly see their enemies while fighting them. Free E-magazineThe helmet was fitted like cap and had neck protector attached to it. The Emperor used to wear a helmet made of gold. The helmet typically Mughal outfit which was continued in use by subsequent rulers.
Horse armour of Mail and Plate
Horses were considered as extremely valuable not only as a commodity for import purposes but also due to their extremeimportance in warfare. It was on the horses that the warriors were seated and they had to move around the war field on horseback
as well. It was therefore of prime importance to protect them from injury. The armour for the horses was made of separate metal
pieces that would be fitted on the horse to protect the entire length of its body. A flat metal plate was moulded to fit on their heads
to protect their faces from the onslaught of arrows.
The Mughal rulers, in order to ensure superior stock even instituted certain programs for the purpose of breeding horses. Indigenous
breeds were found along the river valleys of the Deccan and Kutch (Gujarat). However the best quality horses were those that were brought from Iran via the Hindukush Mountains. Royal horses used in warfare were stamped with the official seal in order to
distinguish them from other animals of a lower stock.
Weapons used in Mughal Warfare
The Mughals used various sophisticated weapons for warfare which was the prime reason for their triumph in the sub-continent. Amajor development in war was made by the introduction of gunpowder in Indian battle, a feat never accomplished before. Among
the commonly used weapons are the sword and dagger, guns and cannon, archery and the extensive use of cavalry and infantry
during war.
Sword
them the curved sword, as opposed to the heavy straight swords with rounded ends as was in use at the time. These were sleek,
sharp. Curved and made of a superior alloy of iron. The most superior quality blades were imported from Iran and made of crucible
steel which gave it a crystalline appearance was capable of cutting deep into the armour and bodies of their adversaries. The ruler
always carried with him a sword enclosed in a red sheath. The `Indo-Muslim` hilt, with its typical dish-shaped pommel, seems to
have been introduced by the Mughals, and spread throughout India together with the curved-blade, or Talwar. The Mughals and their
successors continued to patronize this tradition through royal workshops or Karkhana, and some of the most exquisite items still in
existence came from this source
The finest among the swords was considered to be the Shamsher. It was a curved sword with a sharp edge that was primarily used
as a cutting weapon. This type of sword was of great value and in fact later went on to become one of the most preferred swords
and part of the couture of the Hindu Rajput warriors, called the Khanda.
Daggers (Jamadhar)
Apart from swords, the Muslim armies also used the dagger for purposes of warfare. This was a sharp two-edged instrument thatwas kept hidden in the boot of the horseman (Khuff).This was used as a secondary weapon.
Archery
Mughals. The Bow, typically double- curved, was carried in a container known as the Qirban whereas arrows were carried in quivers
called Tarkash. The Mughals were quite skilled in archery and have even been known to poison the tip of the arrows to incapacitate
the enemy. Special care was taken even in the manufacturing of these weapons. Bow-makers were sent to special training centres in
Damascus and then only the best were allowed to manufacture the same for the purpose of warfare.
Gunpowder and Cannons
The Mughals introduced in India the system of gunfire shot from cannons. This was a very effective ploy in the art of war as apartfrom the damage on impact, the explosion served to disorient and frighten the horses and elephants. This allowed the cavalry to
charge in and prevent the enemies from forming strategies and countering the attack. Cannons, though extremely effective, were
quite problematic to transport because of their size and weight. The cannon balls themselves were five hundred forty pounds and the
cannon had to be matched accordingly to bear this weight.
From the late fifteenth century there was widespread use of firearms-cannons, muskets and mortars. They were considerably
improved and extensively used during the reign of Akbar. In fact the emperor himself had an impressive collection of arms
categorized according to weight, make etc. were a large number of musketeers in the Mughal army as muskets tended to overheat
and were slow to reload.
other weapons used by the Mughals include maces (Gada), with a dome shaped head and a handle and knob at the end, Piyazi and
Garguz shaped like an onion and a flower with eight petals respectively. In order to break the helmet and armour of the enemy
soldiers, Shapshar and Amud were used. War axes were great favourites of the infantry as were the Jaghnol-a sharp blade fitted
with a spike at the back to pierce through the armour. The tiger claw or Bagh Nakh was another lethal weapon used to disembowel
an enemy. This was often used for the purpose of political assassination
Armed with these various weapons of war, the Mughals reigned supreme in the Indian subcontinent as consequent wars and
sustained victories led to the growth of a vast Empire. Many of their practices were later taken up and continued by the different
Indian rulers, most noted among them the Rajputs.
Recruitment in the Mughal Army
The Mansabdars or high ranking officials of the Mughal administrative system did the process of recruitment for the grand Mughal army. Men from military families who provided their own horses were recruited as cavalrymen. Initially they were mainly Muslim recruits. However as the Empire grew stronger in India, a number of Hindu warriors from the Kshatriya and warring castes were recruited. This is particularly true of the Rajputs in Rajasthan. These Hindu warriors were allowed to train and function under their own respective Kings and Rajahs. The army was divided into infantry, artillery and cavalry of which cavalry was the most important.Sawar
The word Sowar means 'The one who rides' in Persian, was originally a rank during the Mughal period. The term had been used to define a horse-soldier belonging to the cavalry troops of the Mughal armies in South Asia. It is also used more specifically of a mounted orderly, escort or guard. It was also the rank held by ordinary cavalry troopers, equivalent to Sepoy in the infantry.Ahadees
Ahadees are household troops of the Mughal emperors. Normally, Munsabdars provides large amount of soldiers. In addition to these soldiers, Emperor also depends on his personal troops. Emperor owned troops are called Ahadees. They are behave like gentlemen. They earn higher amount of salary than normal cavalry soldiers. They are dependable soldiers because of theiy more trusted. They are directly recruited by emperor. They have their own separate duty book. Each soldier maintained Five horses of their own.Sometimes two Ahadees Maintain only one horse. Their duties are irregular. These type of Ahadees including clerksin Royal offices, Painters in Emperor's Durbar, supervisors in Royal Factories. Many of them are used as Auxiliaries. They carry the Orders of Emperors. In the time of Shajahan, There number is 7000. They Send to the Battlefield regularly. These auxiliary soldiers equally spread all types units as scouts. Some men also worked as artillery, archers.
Zamburak
The Zamburak was a specialized form of camel cavalry and mobile artillery from the Muslim WorldMuslim world
The term Muslim world has several meanings. In a religious sense, it refers to those who adhere to the teachings of Islam, referred to as Muslims. In a cultural sense, it refers to Islamic civilization, inclusive of non-Muslims living in that civilization...
after the 16th century, consisted of a soldier on a camel with a mounted swivel
Swivel
A swivel is a connection that allows the connected object, such as a gun or chair, to rotate horizontally and/or vertically. A common design for a swivel is a cylindrical rod that can turn freely within a support structure. The rod is usually prevented from slipping out by a nut, washer or...
gun (a small falconet), which was hinged on a metal fork-rest protruding from the saddle of the animal. In order to fire the cannon, the camel would be put on its knees. The name may be derived from Arabic zambūr, hornet (possibly in reference to the sound earlier camel-mounted crossbows made). The mobility of the camel combined with the flexibility and heavy firepower of the swivel gun to make an intimidating military unit.
The soldier type was probably introduced by Egyptian Mamluk
Mamluk
A Mamluk was a soldier of slave origin, who were predominantly Cumans/Kipchaks The "mamluk phenomenon", as David Ayalon dubbed the creation of the specific warrior...
warriors who originally mounted large crossbows on the camels, the Zamburak was rapidly adopted by especially by the Persian Safavid armies, the Zamburak was introduced into the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
by Mughal Emperor Humayun
Humayun
Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. Like his father, Babur, he lost his kingdom early, but with Persian aid, he eventually regained an even larger one...
, Zamburak were used against the invading British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the Anglo-Afghan Wars.
War Elephants
The elephant was as much a victim of gunpowder as was the European knight. Unlike the knight however, the elephant did not evolve on the battlefield to a new role but disappeared from the front lines and was pushed further back.
Sepoy
The word sepoy is a disambiguation of the word PersianPersian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
word Sipahi, the word was commonly used by Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s and Safavids to describe individual infantry soldiers, the Ottoman
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
Turks used the word to describe the elite Cavalry Sipahi
Sipahi
Sipahi was the name of several Ottoman cavalry corps...
.
The Sipahi were native Mughal musketeer units in the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s basic military units, most of them carried Talwar
Talwar
The talwar is a type of curved sword or sabre from India and modern-day Pakistan...
s and Sheilds, a special class known as the Atishbaz
Atishbaz
The Atishbaz are a Muslim community found in the state Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Atishbaz Shaikh or sometimes just Shaikh, which is also a common surname. Atishbaz also known as darugar. The Uttar Pradesh Atishbaz have been granted Other Backward Class status...
carried Mughal guns such as Muskets, the Atishbaz served under a Mir Atish (Mir of gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
weaponry).
Musketeers in India
Musket warfare became an integral part of Indian warfare when they were introduced to India by the Moghuls in 1519. They were an important defense against the tank-like War Elephants. Both the Mughals and their sworn enemies (such as the Marathas) used musketeers in cover formations while sending volleys of musket fire on unsuspecting soldiers, horses, and elephants.Mahout
A howdah, or houdah, also known as Hathi Howdah, a carriage which is positioned on the back of an elephant, or occasionally some other animal, used most often in the past to carry wealthy people or for use in hunting or warfare. It was also a symbol of wealth for the owner, and as a result was decorated with expensive gems.Most notable are the Golden Howdah, used traditionally during the Jamboo Savari (Elephant Procession) of the famous Mysore Dasara. The Museum at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan has a gallery of royal Howdahs.
Howdah
A howdah, or houdah, also known as Hathi Howdah, a carriage which is positioned on the back of an elephant, or occasionally some other animal, used most often in the past to carry wealthy people or for use in hunting or warfare. It was also a symbol of wealth for the owner, and as a result was decorated with expensive gems.Most notable are the Golden Howdah, used traditionally during the Jamboo Savari (Elephant Procession) of the famous Mysore Dasara. The Museum at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan has a gallery of royal Howdahs.