Mughal Warfare: Indian Frontiers and Highroads to Empire 1500-1700 (Warfare and History)

Mughal Warfare offers a much-needed new survey of the military history of Mughal India during the age of imperial splendour from 1500 to 1700. Jos Gommans looks at warfare as an integrated aspect of pre-colonial Indian society. Based on a vast range of primary sources from Europe and India, this thorough study explores the wider geo-political, cultural and institutional context of the Mughal military. Gommans also details practical and technological aspects of combat, such as gunpowder technologies and the animals used in battle. His comparative analysis throws new light on much-contested theories of gunpowder empires and the spread of the military revolution. Based On A Vast Range Of Primary Sources From Europe And India, This Thorough Study Explores The Wider Geo-political, Cultural And Institutional Context Of The Mughal Military. Gommans Also Details Practical And Technological Aspects Of Combat, Such As Gunpowder Technologies And The Animals Used In Battle. His Comparative Analysis Throws New Light On Much-contested Theories Of Gunpowder Empires And The Spread Of The Military Revolution. As The First Original Analysis Of Mughal Warfare For Almost A Century, This Will Make Essential Reading For Military Specialists, Students Of Military History And General Asian History.--jacket. 1. The Indian Frontier -- Monsoon And Arid India -- Frontiers And Limites -- Nuclear Zones Of Power -- 2. War-band And Court -- Ghazis And Sadhus -- Mirzas And Rajputs -- Court Society -- 3. The Military Labour Market -- Supply -- Army Organisation -- Military Marketing -- 4. Camp, Warhorse And Elephant -- Camp -- Warhorses -- Elephants, Dromedaries And Oxen -- 5. Forts, Guns And Sails -- Forts -- Guns -- Oars And Sails. Jos Gommans. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Mughal Warfare offers a much-needed new survey of the military history of Mughal India during the age of imperial splendour from 1500 to 1700. Jos Gommans looks at warfare as an integrated aspect of pre-colonial Indian society.Based on a vast range of primary sources from Europe and India, this thorough study explores the wider geo-political, cultural and institutional context of the Mughal military. Gommans also details practical and technological aspects of combat, such as gunpowder technologies and the animals used in battle. His comparative analysis throws new light on much-contested theories of gunpowder empires and the spread of the military revolution.As the first original analysis of Mughal warfare for almost a century, this will make essential reading for military specialists, students of military history and general Asian history. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of illustrations......Page 10 List of abbreviations......Page 12 Note on transliteration......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 The Indian frontier......Page 24 War-band and court......Page 56 The military labour market......Page 84 Camp, warhorse and elephant......Page 116 Forts, guns and sails......Page 150 The limits of empire......Page 186 Conclusion and epilogue......Page 218 Appendix: The Mughal Dynasty 1526 1712......Page 224 Notes......Page 226 Bibliography......Page 258 Index......Page 274 Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 List of illustrations 10 List of abbreviations 12 Note on transliteration 16 Introduction 18 The Indian frontier 24 War-band and court 56 The military labour market 84 Camp, warhorse and elephant 116 Forts, guns and sails 150 The limits of empire 186 Conclusion and epilogue 218 Appendix: The Mughal Dynasty 1526 1712 224 Notes 226 Bibliography 258 Index 274