Horse and Elephant Armour by G.N. Pant Format: Hardcover

The Horse and Elephant Armour authored by Dr. G. N. Pant is the very first attmept of its kind in India. Profusely illustrated with line drawings and photographs, all derived from the authentic sources, the book is the sum total of life-long Intensive study of the author. The origin and development of Indian cavalry and elephantry have been narrated with meticulous care. The horse armour and harness e.g., saddle, stirrups, chantron, crinet, cuello, crest, bridle-cutter, flanchard, poitrel and spur have been discussed and. illustrated.

The Indian rulers placed great reliance on the elephants and harnessed them with several protective and ornamental coverings. The howdah, imari, trunk protector, tusk protector, eye protector, chains, ropes and ornamental jhula have been vividly described and aesthetically displayed. A number of appendices, a glossary of technical terms, a comprehensive bibliography and a detailed index are added attractions. The warrior was very much dependent upon his horse or elephant in active warfare which made it necessary that the war animal was properly harnessed and armoured. The myth that the ancient Indians never attained proficiency in horse warfare has forcibly been demolished.

The author's thirty-five years of association with the National Museum, New Delhi enabled him to handle, scrutinise and study the original specimens of elephant and horse armour put on show and those preserved in the reserve collection. He has coroborrated his inferences with the ones depicted in paintings, in sculptures and on coins.

The book Horse and Elephant Armour will serve as a reference work and is bound to be welcomed by the researchers in the field of military science, museology, art and Indian culture. These mute examples of the bygone days are the tangible proofs of the sacrifices of the martyrs who laid down their yesterdays for our today.