History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c33.s2.15

v3.c33.s2.15

Mahmud was here attacked by a rebel, Abu Ali, and in the fierce battle fought with him Mahmud distinguished himself by his personal bravery. In this battle Hindu soldiers and elephants were used by Mahmud. As we shall have to explain elsewhere, Hindu soldiers had no objection to fight for anyone who paid them. But the chief thing to be pointed out here is that Mahmud could use elephants with great advantage and the cavalry of the enemy could not do any thing against them. "The war elephants seized the horsemen with their trunks and broke their backs beneath their feet until innumerable people perished on that battle-field". (Utbi p. 162).