Military Innovations of Afghans and Turks (10th

Military Innovations of Afghans and Turks (10th–18th Century)

The military innovations of Afghans and Turks introduced new warfare strategies, cavalry use, and technologies that shaped medieval Indian history and battles.

Table of Contents

Context: From the 10th century, horse-breeding groups from Afghanistan and Central Asia invaded India, bringing not just cultural and religious changes but also transformative military technologies. These innovations reshaped India’s warfare for centuries and ultimately paved the way for British dominance.

Contrast in Military Culture

Rajputs: Valued shakti (strength) and bhakti (devotion), glorified death over dishonour, and considered tactical trickery (yukti) dishonourable. They glorified open combat and even noble defeat.
Afghans & Turks: Adapted to survival in Central Asian steppes, relied on horse-based strategies and tactical manoeuvres. They emphasised clever war strategies over brute force.

Military Innovations of Afghans and Turks

Parthian Shot: A Technique where mounted archers, while riding away, twisted back to shoot at pursuers.
- Rajputs saw it as cowardice (since retreating implied dishonour).
- Central Asians saw it as a brilliant ambush tactic developed for steppe survival.
Logistical Mastery: Mahmud of Ghazni’s campaign to Somnath involved 30,000 camels carrying water and fodder, enabling desert routes and surprise attacks.
Encirclement (Negre): Mongol hunting technique → cavalry surrounded enemies like hunters trapping prey.

Siege Warfare Tools (introduced by Khiljis)

Catapults (Maghrabis): Hurled projectiles at fort walls.
Mounds (Pasheb): Raised platforms to approach fortresses with engines and soldiers.
War Elephants: Deployed as battering rams to smash gates and terrify defenders.

Mughal Military Innovations

Cannons:
- Rendered elephants obsolete as battering rams.
- Introduced new artillery-centric warfare.
Mobile Capital (Urdu-e-Mualla):
- Emperor’s travelling camp functioning as a mobile city of 100,000 people.
- Projected imperial power, pomp, and pageantry across regions.

Later Developments

Zamburak (18th century, Ahmad Shah Abdali): Small swivel cannons mounted on camels for mobility.
Indian Resistance to Firearms
- Despite the introduction of guns in the 16th century, Vijayanagar Nayakas resisted adopting them, relying on cavalry.
- Old matchlocks were clumsy and hard to use on horseback.

The British Transformation

Introduced flintlock muskets – faster, more reliable, easier to use.
Created disciplined infantry formations, overpowering cavalry-dominated armies.
Marked the end of 800 years of cavalry supremacy in India.

Analysis: Technology and Culture

Each phase of India’s history shows how technological change reshaped not only the battlefield but also cultural attitudes.
Rajputs equated strategy with dishonour, Central Asians saw it as survival, Mughals projected pomp through mobile capitals, and the British institutionalised discipline through firearms.
Warfare innovations reflected deeper civilisational values and adaptations to shifting political realities.