The Book of Akbar 328.1.3

328.1.3

In might and courage they were exemplars, and the running of those active athletes could not be called running, for though the race-horses of ‘Iraq (Arabia) be swift, they could not outstrip those elephants. In truth each one of those famous elephants was capable of disordering a large force. They were especially calculated to confuse the onset of cavalry, as the horses had never seen such terrific forms. How can the attributes of those rushing mountains be strung on the slender thread of words. They ruined lofty buildings by shaking them, and sportively uprooted strong trees. In the hour of battle and contest they lifted up man and horse and cast them into the air. Verse. They advance at a gentle pace, but when they encounter, The strong are as powdered antimony under their feet. How shall the multitude of his army be described? The brief account is that he marched in excellent order with 30,000 practised horsemen composed of Rajputs and Afghans who, on many occasions, had by their exploits increased his pride and arrogance. Musketeers and cross-bowmen were placed on the mountain-backs of those enormous elephants, which were furnished with suits of mail (kajim) and defensive armour, and made ready for war. All the elephants had these war-panoplies, and had their trunks armed with spears and knives, and were intrusted to men of war and to courageous drivers. Every one had his place assigned to him.