The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c10.s4.2

c10.s4.2

*Nezah*. This is the cavalry lance, a small steel head with a long bambu shaft. Steingass, 1442, has *Nezah* “a short spear, demi-lance, javelin, dart, pike.” But this is not borne out by the usage of Indian writers, who by this word intend a long-shafted spear. It appears in the *Āīn*, i, 111, as N°. 20, and is shown at N°. 16 of plate xii. *Bhālā* I take to be only the Hindī equivalent for *Nezah*. Shakespear, 386, says *Bhālā* is from Sanskrit भल्ला, a spear about 7 cubits or 10 1/2 feet long, a lance with a narrow head. Including *Nezah*, *Bhālā* and spears (unclassed), I find nine entries in W. Egerton, vizt. 463 (p. 115) 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612 two (p. 130). Of these one has a small head and long bambu shaft; another a palmwood shaft and small triangular head; four have bambu shafts 12 to 15 feet in length, with heavy bossed butts and small heads; N°. 611, length 8 feet, head 16 inches; N°. 612 (two), length 9 feet and 9 feet 3 inches, head 21 inches.