War in Ancient India c7.s1.t4.1

c7.s1.t4.1

Gradually the uses of chariots in war declined, and we have no mention of it in Bāṇa’s *Harṣacarita* (7th century A.D.) in his description of *Harṣa’s* army.⁴² Nor was it seen in the army of Pulakeśin II (641 A.D.), if we may rely on the authority of Yuan Chwang.⁴³ Again, in the Kūram Pallava grant⁴⁴ about 650 A.D., which describes the battle of Peruvaḷa Nallūr, only elephants, horses, and footmen are mentioned and not chariots. Further in the history of the Choḷa kings of South India, during the succeeding centuries mention is only made of the other three divisions of the army. The chariots, as instruments of war, are not mentioned—a clear indication that they must have become obsolete by that time. Still the evidence is strong that in India from the earliest times down to the end of the epoch of the epics and even several centuries after, chariots played a very prominent part in warfare.