Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s2.t2.36

c6.s2.t2.36

There was a great demand for the supply of horses in Hindustan. Apart from the enormous military demand for the supply of horses, the animal was also commonly employed for conveyance, pleasure-riding and racing. The choice animals found a ready market in Hindustan. The fondness for horses was by no means confined to the Muslims. Hindus were equally anxious to revise their old-time ideas of military equipment and were slowly substituting horses for elephants. Thus there was a great demand for the supply of horses in Hindu States of Rajputana and the Deccan, especially in the latter, where climatic and other conditions discouraged the breeding of horses and the stock had to be replenished from outside from time to time. For the annual gifts of the Sultan, special arrangements were made to procure the best horses from every country, and a very good price was paid.⁴ Horses were also regularly purchased for the supply of the royal stables. We shall mention the import of horses through the land frontier later on. Let us note here that some thoroughbreds were brought from Dhofar (on the extremity of Yemen), others from Kis, Hormuz and Aden, and others still together with mules from Persia.¹