The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c10.1

c10.1

The cavalry seem to have carried a great variety of arms. The most relied on were those they styled the *kotah-yarāq* or short arms, that is, those used at close quarters, corresponding to the European "arme blanche." Probably the *kotāh silāḥ* of Budāonī, i, 460, (Ranking, 593) has the same meaning, and not as Ranking suggests that of a deficiency or shortness of weapons. These short arms may be ranged into five classes (I) Swords and shields, (II) Maces, (III) Battle Axes, (IV) Spears, (V) Daggers. Weapons for more distant attack were (A) the bow (*Kamān*) and arrow (*Tīr*) (B) the Matchlock (*bandūq* or *tufang*) and (C) the Pistol. Rockets were also used, but they were in charge of the artillery (*topkhānah*) and will come under that head.