Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c9.s31.3

c9.s31.3

The chariot and the elephant played an important part in Indian warfare. The chariot was drawn by four horses and carried six men—one archer and shield bearer on each side besides two charioteers who were also men-at-arms; when the fighting was at close quarters, they dropped the reins and took part in the combat¹. Aelian says, however, that the chariot carried only two men beside the charioteer; this may have reference to chariots of smaller size. The same writer says that each elephant carried three archers besides the driver². According to Curtius, an image of Hercules was borne in front of the line of the Paurava's infantry in the battle of Jhelum, and this acted as the strongest of all incentives to make the soldiers fight well³.