The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c24.224

v1.c24.224

For the reign of Xerxes (486–465 B.C.) the continuance of the Persian domination in Northern India is proved by the presence of an Indian contingent, consisting of both infantry and cavalry, among the troops from subject nations drawn upon by that monarch to augment the vast army of Asiatics which he marshalled to invade Greece. Herodotus (VII, 65) describes the equipment of the Indian infantry as follows: 'The Indians, clad in garments made of cotton, carried bows of cane and arrows of cane, the latter tipped with iron; and thus accoutred the Indians were marshalled under the command of Pharnazathres, son of Artabates.' It is worth remarking, perhaps, that the commander of these forces, as shown by his name, was a Persian. Regarding the Indian cavalry Herodotus (VII, 86) says that they were 'armed with the same equipment as in the case of the infantry, but they brought riding-horses and chariots, the latter being drawn by horses and wild asses².'