Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 713

HINDU WAR-CHARIOTS
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howdah, on which was placed a box containing a priceless
relic, which usually was, if one may believe it, an actual hair
from Mahomet's beard.
The chief service which these animals render nowadays is
in the transport of artillery and equipage.
When a swamp,
a ditch, a canal, or any other obstacle arrests the progress of
the bullocks that drag the cannon, one or more elephants are
brought up to push the gun-carriage with their heads and
trunks and thus help them over the difficulty. When rivers
which are not fordable have to be crossed, elephants are
often used to carry men and heavy baggage over on their
But the services of these animals are dearly bought,
backs.
considering the vast expense which their food and keep entail.
Thus they are falling more and more into disuse. Every
day the camel is growing in favour as being more patient
and tractable.
Chariots formed the second division of the ancient Hindu
armies.
If one may believe what early Hindu writers say,
these chariots were used in considerable numbers and were
of considerable size.
That of the king was the most magni-
The rest belonged to his subordinate chiefs. When
hostile armies met, the leaders on each side were in the
habit of interchanging compliments with each other before
joining battle. One, for instance, would drop an arrow just
short of his adversary's chariot, and the other would return
ficent.
two
the salute.
Splendid horses were harnessed to these war-
One reads in the Bhagavata that one of the old
kings of India, when setting out on a campaign, harnessed
a troop of demons to his chariot, to ensure the pace being-
good. The chariots were usually ornamented all round with
large bells, which made a great noise, and this custom is
chariots.
still occasionally observed at the present time in the case of
private carriages.
The latter, however, in no way resemble
the ancient war-chariots, about which I have not been able
to collect any trustworthy information.
The cavalry formed the third division. Indian generals
in ancient times, however, did not rely much on this arm.
The infantry played the principal part in their wars, which
is contrary to the practice of more modern times, for until
quite recently no use whatever was made of infantry, only
a few undisciplined regiments of followers being maintained