Indian armour - Revision history

Shruti: Updated article with clearer structure

2025-11-22T06:52:11Z

Updated article with clearer structure

117.198.114.36 at 03:36, 1 December 2022

2022-12-01T03:36:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:06, 1 December 2022
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=February ~~2020~~}}		{{Short description\|Protection of the body in South Asia}}
	[[File:Maratha Armor 1.jpg\|thumb\|right\|An early 18th century Maratha helmet and ~~armour~~ from the [[Hermitage Museum]], [[St. Petersburg, Russia]].]]		{{Use Indian English\|date=February 2022}}
	~~Armour~~ in the [[Indian subcontinent]] was used since antiquity. Its earlier reference is found in the [[vedic period]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IOzp2aC8ezAC~~&pg=PA103~~&dq=vedic+armour&hl=~~en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMtKShguLfAhUxneAKHf8WApUQ6AEIQDAF#v=onepage&q&f=false~~\|title=Arms and ~~Armour~~: Traditional Weapons of India\|last=Paul\|first=E. Jaiwant\|date=2005\|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited\|isbn=9788174363404\|language=en}}</ref> ~~Armour~~ has been described in [[Hindu texts\|religious texts]]; including the [[Itihasa]] epics [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharat]], as well as in the [[Puranas]].		[[File:Maratha Armor 1.jpg\|thumb\|right\|An early 18th century Maratha helmet and armor from the [[Hermitage Museum]], [[St. Petersburg, Russia]].]]
			Armor in the [[Indian subcontinent]] was used since antiquity. Its earlier reference is found in the [[vedic period]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IOzp2aC8ezAC&dq=vedic+armour&pg=PA103\|title=Arms and Armor: Traditional Weapons of India\|last=Paul\|first=E. Jaiwant\|date=2005\|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited\|isbn=9788174363404\|language=en}}</ref> Armor has been described in [[Hindu texts\|religious texts]]; including the [[Itihasa]] epics [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharat]], as well as in the [[Puranas]].

	==Vedic period==		==Vedic period==
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	[[File:City of Kushinagar in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.jpg\|thumb\|City of Kushinagara in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st-century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.]]		[[File:City of Kushinagar in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.jpg\|thumb\|City of Kushinagara in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st-century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.]]
	[[File:Mughal elephant armour.JPG\|thumb\|Elephant armour dating from around 1600.]]		[[File:Mughal elephant armour.JPG\|thumb\|Elephant armour dating from around 1600.]]
	~~Defensive armour was introduced into India by~~ [[~~Indo-Aryan peoples]]~~,~~<ref>{{Cite book\|url=https://books~~.~~google~~.~~com/books?id=gSV-BwAAQBAJ&pg=PT278&dq=vedic+armour&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMtKShguLfAhUxneAKHf8WApUQ6AEISjAH#v=onepage&q&f=false~~\|~~title=~~The ~~Quest~~ for the ~~Origins~~ of Vedic ~~Culture:~~ The ~~Indo-Aryan Migration Debate\|last=Bryant\|first=Edwin\|date=2001-09-06\|publisher=Oxford University Press\|isbn=9780199881338\|language=en}}</ref>~~ and ~~was most likely unknown to~~ the ~~passive [[Indus Valley Civilisation]]~~.		[[File:East Indian shield, c. 1800, rhinoceros hide - Glenbow Museum - DSC00766.JPG\|thumb\|Shield made of rhinoceros hide.]]
			The [[Vedic age]] recorded in-fighting among Indian clans for supremacy over the Indus. In the [[Battle of the Ten Kings]] prominent Vedic clans clashed along the Ravi River. The Vedas and the other texts of the period record these struggles in detail and provide a clear picture of the military set up of during those periods.

	The [[Vedic age]] recorded in-fighting among Aryan clans for supremacy over the Indus. In the [[Battle of the Ten Kings]] prominent Vedic clans clashed along the Ravi River. The Vedas and the other texts of the period record these struggles in detail and provide a clear picture of the military set up of during those periods.		The concept of a warrior class had already gained ground and the [[kshatriya]] claimed to have originated from the arms of Purusha. They tried to maintain this distinct identity of their own through their garments and attire. The common attire (when they are not situated at the battlefield) for the kshatriya warrior was deer skin. Their under-garments were made cloak dyed with [[madder]]. They also wore hemp thread and a bow string as a mark of distinction.

	The concept of a warrior class had already gained ground and the [[kshatriya]] claimed to have originated from the arms of Purusha. They tried to maintain this distinct identity of their own through their garments and attire. The common attire for the kshatriya warrior was deer skin~~, in contrast to leather and goat skin used by other castes~~. Their under-garments were made cloak dyed with [[madder]]. They also wore hemp thread and a bow string as a mark of distinction.

	Armour was prominently mentioned in the [[Rigveda]]:		Armour was prominently mentioned in the [[Rigveda]]:
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	The [[Bharhut]] [[Stupa]] depicts the use of leather [[scale armour]]. Furthermore, on the [[Sanchi]] Stupa, soldiers are depicted wearing quilted armour.		The [[Bharhut]] [[Stupa]] depicts the use of leather [[scale armour]]. Furthermore, on the [[Sanchi]] Stupa, soldiers are depicted wearing quilted armour.

	There are references by historians noting the armour King [[Porus]] used in battle against Alexander. The scholar [[Arrian]] recorded that the armour was shot-proof, and remarkably well fitted.		There are references by historians noting the armour King [[Porus the Elder\|Porus]] used in battle against Alexander. The scholar [[Arrian]] recorded that the armour was shot-proof, and remarkably well fitted.

	== Mythological armour ==		== Mythological armour ==
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	[[File:Group of Indian Armoir Weapons 1900.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Group of Indian Armour]]		[[File:Group of Indian Armoir Weapons 1900.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Group of Indian Armour]]

	=== ~~Early~~ Medieval period (1206 CE-1526 CE) ===		=== Medieval period (1206 CE-1526 CE) ===
	During 12th century [[chainmail]] armour is first introduced in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and used by Turkic armies. A reference of chainmail armour was found in the inscription of [[Mularaja II]] and also at the [[Timur#Capture of Delhi (1398)\|Battle of Delhi]]<ref name="Jackson2003">{{cite book\|last=Jackson\|first=Peter\|title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt2tqOpVRKgC&pg=PA28\|date=16 October 2003\|publisher=Cambridge University Press\|isbn=978-0-521-54329-3\|page=28}}</ref> where it was used by the armoured [[war elephants]]. Udayaprabha Suri, in his ''Sukrita-Kirti-Kallolini'', states that Naikidevi gave Mularaja an army to play with. With this army, Mularaja defeated the Hammira (Sanskrit form of ''[[Emir]]'') and his ''mlechchha'' army, whose soldiers were covered from head to toe in order to protect themselves.{{~~sfn~~\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=131}}		During 12th century [[chainmail]] armour is first introduced in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and used by Turkic armies. A reference of chainmail armour was found in the inscription of [[Mularaja II]] and also at the [[Timur#Capture of Delhi (1398)\|Battle of Delhi]]<ref name="Jackson2003">{{cite book\|last=Jackson\|first=Peter\|title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt2tqOpVRKgC&pg=PA28\|date=16 October 2003\|publisher=Cambridge University Press\|isbn=978-0-521-54329-3\|page=28}}</ref> where it was used by the armoured [[war elephants]]. Udayaprabha Suri, in his ''Sukrita-Kirti-Kallolini'', states that Naikidevi gave Mularaja an army to play with. With this army, Mularaja defeated the Hammira (Sanskrit form of ''[[Emir]]'') and his ''mlechchha'' army, whose soldiers were covered from head to toe in order to protect themselves.<ref>{{cite book \|author=Asoke Kumar Majumdar \|title=Chaulukyas of Gujarat \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ffAdAAAAMAAJ \|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan \|year=1956 \|oclc=4413150 \|page=131}}</ref>

	=== ~~Later Medieval period~~ (1526 CE-~~1757~~ CE) ===		=== Modern Period (1526 CE-1857 CE) ===
	{{multiple image\|perrow=2/2/2\|total_width=300\|caption_align=center		{{multiple image\|perrow=2/2/2\|total_width=300\|caption_align=center
	\| title = Early Modern period		\| title = Early Modern period
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	===Mughal armour ===		===Mughal armour ===
	In the 16th century the armour in the Indian subcontinent ~~developed very much~~. Armour such as [[chainmail]] and [[scale mail]] are widely used by the [[Mughals]]. The use of armour ~~continues until~~ the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/ \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225145650/http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/ \|archivedate=2008-02-25 \|title=Mughal Empire}}</ref>		In the 16th century the armour in the Indian subcontinent incorporated plated embedded into mail. Armour such as [[chainmail]] and [[scale mail]] are widely used by the [[Mughals]]. The use of Mail and plate armour in india declined in the 18th century. Mail and plate armour was documented [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/ \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225145650/http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/ \|archivedate=2008-02-25 \|title=Mughal Empire}}</ref>

	===Mughal helmets===		===Mughal helmets===
	Despite the similarity in their design, the Khula Khud helmets were decorated with a wide degree of variations depending on the cultures from which they were created. Decorations often appeared in the skull and the nasal bar, which were often heavily decorated with patterned motifs of inlaid brass, silver or gold; or decorated with figurative images. One Mughal top helmet featured calligraphic inscriptions from the [[Quran]], supposedly to gain "Help from Allah and a speedy victory." A top discovered in [[Gwalior]], India, featured a motif of the [[Skull and crossbones (symbol)\|skull and crossbones]] sign of European influence. Another part of the Khula Khud helmet that was often a focus of artistic decoration, was the leaf-shaped finials of the nasal bar. A Sikh top featured the figure of [[Ganesha]] carved onto the nasal bar. The Khula Khud helmet was only decorated with some metals, and usually no organic decorations.{{~~sfn~~\|Gahir\|Spencer\|2006\|p=268}}		Despite the similarity in their design, the Khula Khud helmets were decorated with a wide degree of variations depending on the cultures from which they were created. Decorations often appeared in the skull and the nasal bar, which were often heavily decorated with patterned motifs of inlaid brass, silver or gold; or decorated with figurative images. One Mughal top helmet featured calligraphic inscriptions from the [[Quran]], supposedly to gain "Help from Allah and a speedy victory." A top discovered in [[Gwalior]], India, featured a motif of the [[Skull and crossbones (symbol)\|skull and crossbones]] sign of European influence. Another part of the Khula Khud helmet that was often a focus of artistic decoration, was the leaf-shaped finials of the nasal bar. A Sikh top featured the figure of [[Ganesha]] carved onto the nasal bar. The Khula Khud helmet was only decorated with some metals, and usually no organic decorations.<ref>{{cite book \|editor1-last=Gahir \|editor1-first=Sunita \|editor2-last=Spencer \|editor2-first=Sharon \|date=2006 \|title=Weapon - A Visual History of Arms and Armor \|location=New York City \|publisher=DK Publishing \|isbn=9780756622107 \|page=268}}</ref>

	===Maratha armour===		===Maratha armour===
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	[[Category:Asian armour]]		[[Category:Asian armour]]
	[[Category:Military history of India]]		[[Category:Military history of India]]
			[[Category:Military equipment of India]]

117.198.122.188 at 01:35, 11 January 2021

2021-01-11T01:35:49Z

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Maratha Armor 1.jpg|thumb|right|An early 18th century Maratha helmet and armour from the [[Hermitage Museum]], [[St. Petersburg, Russia]].]]
Armour in the [[Indian subcontinent]] was used since antiquity. Its earlier reference is found in the [[vedic period]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IOzp2aC8ezAC&pg=PA103&dq=vedic+armour&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMtKShguLfAhUxneAKHf8WApUQ6AEIQDAF#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India|last=Paul|first=E. Jaiwant|date=2005|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited|isbn=9788174363404|language=en}}</ref> Armour has been described in [[Hindu texts|religious texts]]; including the [[Itihasa]] epics [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharat]], as well as in the [[Puranas]].

==Vedic period==
[[File:Prince of Wales Pangolin Armour.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Armour leather coat made of pangolin scales gilded and lacquered from India, 17th century.]]
[[File:City of Kushinagar in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.jpg|thumb|City of Kushinagara in the 5th century BCE according to a 1st-century BCE frieze in Sanchi Stupa 1 Southern Gate.]]
[[File:Mughal elephant armour.JPG|thumb|Elephant armour dating from around 1600.]]
Defensive armour was introduced into India by [[Indo-Aryan peoples]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gSV-BwAAQBAJ&pg=PT278&dq=vedic+armour&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMtKShguLfAhUxneAKHf8WApUQ6AEISjAH#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=The Quest for the Origins of Vedic Culture: The Indo-Aryan Migration Debate|last=Bryant|first=Edwin|date=2001-09-06|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199881338|language=en}}</ref> and was most likely unknown to the passive [[Indus Valley Civilisation]].

The [[Vedic age]] recorded in-fighting among Aryan clans for supremacy over the Indus. In the [[Battle of the Ten Kings]] prominent Vedic clans clashed along the Ravi River. The Vedas and the other texts of the period record these struggles in detail and provide a clear picture of the military set up of during those periods.

The concept of a warrior class had already gained ground and the [[kshatriya]] claimed to have originated from the arms of Purusha. They tried to maintain this distinct identity of their own through their garments and attire. The common attire for the kshatriya warrior was deer skin, in contrast to leather and goat skin used by other castes. Their under-garments were made cloak dyed with [[madder]]. They also wore hemp thread and a bow string as a mark of distinction.

Armour was prominently mentioned in the [[Rigveda]]:

{{Quote|text= Its priestly honorarium consists of a horse chariot pulled by four horses. The chariot is provided with golden plates, with a whip, with all sorts of ornaments and with splendour. Its deck is covered with tiger skin, its bow-case with panther skin, its quiver with bear skin.
The warrior standing on it is equipped for battle, wearing armour made of [[Indian rhinoceros|rhinoceros]] skin; he has a charioteer equipped for battle, and is protected by the two side panels. The rein-holder wears a neck ornament and a garland.|title=|source= Vedas, Jaiminīya-Brāhmaṇa }}

{{Quote|text=The warrior's look is like a thunderous rain-cloud's, when, armed with mail, he seeks the lap of battle.
Be thou victorious with unwounded body: so let the thickness of thy mail protect thee...Thy vital parts I cover with thine armour: with immortality...clothe thee...|sign=Rig Veda, tr. by [[Ralph T.H. Griffith]], [1896]|source=HYMN LXXV. Weapons of War.|title=}}

The defensive armors became the integral part of military costume. They were worn after duly sanctified by mantras. It appears that they were used only by the nobility. The average soldier wore deer skin, and is mentioned in the [[Atharvaveda]], stating that the shield and outfit made of deer skin struck terror amid the enemies of god. The nobles and elite warriors wore a coat of mail called a drapi, kavacha, or varman. They covered their back, chest, and lower parts of their body.

Certain warriors in the Vedic period wore metal armour called '''varman'''. In the Rig Veda the varman is described as sewn armor or a coat of mail that covers the whole body.

{{Quote|text=Agni, the man who giveth guerdon to the priests, like well-sewn armour thou guardest on every side.|author=|title=|source=The Rig Veda/Mandala 1/Hymn 31}}

Historians such as [[Edward Washburn Hopkins]] deduce that the armour was metal that covered the body and was connected by wires. On the head multiple metal pieces were connected together for helmets.<ref name=":0" />

The '''kavacha''' is described to be [[plate armour]] and tightly fitted, and covered the chest. The word kavaca is used in Atharva Veda in the sense of a [[corselet]] breast plate as opposed to the varman:

{{Quote|text=...warrior, mailed, unmailed, each foeman in the rush of war. Down-smitten with the strings of bows, the fastenings of mail, the charge! The armour-clad, the armourless, enemies clothed with coats of mail. All struck down...|author=|title=|source=Artha Veda Book XI Hymn XXII}}

The use of helmets is frequently mentioned in the vedas. ''Shirastrana'' was a helmet or head guard worn by soldiers to protect the head. Siprin would mean a person wearing a helmet. Common soldiers would go bare headed, some kept long hairs and wore animal horns. Indra is described as the golden helmeted hero:

{{Quote|text=So be the lofty Indra prompt to listen, Helper unaided, golden-visored Hero.|title=|source=The Rig Veda/Mandala 6/Hymn 29}}

Hastaghna was and arm guard used to protect the hands. It was worn on the left arm to avoid friction of bow strings. It was made of leather but later on metal gauntlets seem to have used instead.

For the protection of the legs; greaves, anklets, and shoes were used. The noble warriors wore ornaments like armlets, bracelets, clasps, necklaces, and various garlands.
=== Antiquity ===
Armour is discussed in [[Chanakya|Chanakya's]] ''[[Arthashastra]]'' (320 BCE).

The Kingdom of [[Magadha]] rapidly expanded its military infrastructure under King [[Ajatashatru]], creating the foundation of later empires in [[Pataliputra]]. He introduced the ''rathamusala'', an armoured chariot with protruding blades.

The [[Bharhut]] [[Stupa]] depicts the use of leather [[scale armour]]. Furthermore, on the [[Sanchi]] Stupa, soldiers are depicted wearing quilted armour.

There are references by historians noting the armour King [[Porus]] used in battle against Alexander. The scholar [[Arrian]] recorded that the armour was shot-proof, and remarkably well fitted.

== Mythological armour ==
In Mahabharata, there are much evidence of using armour during the battles.

;'''Kavacha'''
* '''Karna Kavacha''' - The armour of [[Karna]] that was granted by his father [[Surya]] at birth. It was impenetrable even to heavenly weapons.<ref name="karna.org">[http://www.karna.org/body_story_behind_karna.html Website dedicated to the story of Karna]</ref>
* '''Shiva-Kavacha''' - The armour of Lord [[Shiva]] which will make its wielder invincible.
;'''Khetaka'''
* '''Jaivardhan''' - A shield of Lord [[Vishnu]] and Lord [[Shiva]].
* The shield of [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Shamba]].
* [[Srivatsa]] - The shield of [[Vishnu]], a symbol worshiped and revered by the Hindus, said to be manifested on the god's chest.<ref>Sarat Chandra Das (1902). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=8AbIHweo7PMC Tibetan-English Dictionary with Sanskrit Synonyms]''. Calcutta, India: Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, p. 69</ref>

==Gupta period==
[[File:Kumara, The Divine General LACMA M.85.279.3.jpg|thumb|upright|Kumara/[[Kartikeya]] in [[scale mail]] armour with a [[Kushan]] devotee, 2nd century CE]]
During the [[Gupta period]] [[scale mail]] armour used as composed of metal and sometimes leather. Guptas were more than two centuries more advanced than the equipment and technology being depicted here and that their armour was built to withstand torsion-driven steel bows. Siva-Dhanur-Veda discusses the military of the Gupta Empire. The Guptas relied heavily on armoured war elephants; horses were used little if at all. The use of [[chariots]] had declined heavily by the time of the Guptas, as they had not proved very useful against the Greeks, Scythians, and other invaders. Guptas utilised [[heavy cavalry]] clad in mail armour and equipped with maces and lances, who would have used shock action to break the enemy line.

During the [[Satavahana]] period the armour was inspired by the armour used by the [[Indo-Scythians]] and the [[Alchon Huns]].

==Medieval period ==
[[File:Group of Indian Armoir Weapons 1900.jpg|thumb|left|Group of Indian Armour]]

=== Early Medieval period (1206 CE-1526 CE) ===
During 12th century [[chainmail]] armour is first introduced in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and used by Turkic armies. A reference of chainmail armour was found in the inscription of [[Mularaja II]] and also at the [[Timur#Capture of Delhi (1398)|Battle of Delhi]]<ref name="Jackson2003">{{cite book|last=Jackson|first=Peter|title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt2tqOpVRKgC&pg=PA28|date=16 October 2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-54329-3|page=28}}</ref> where it was used by the armoured [[war elephants]]. Udayaprabha Suri, in his ''Sukrita-Kirti-Kallolini'', states that Naikidevi gave Mularaja an army to play with. With this army, Mularaja defeated the Hammira (Sanskrit form of ''[[Emir]]'') and his ''mlechchha'' army, whose soldiers were covered from head to toe in order to protect themselves.{{sfn|Asoke Kumar Majumdar|1956|p=131}}

=== Later Medieval period (1526 CE-1757 CE) ===
{{multiple image|perrow=2/2/2|total_width=300|caption_align=center
| title = Early Modern period
| image1 = Eastern riveted armor.JPG|caption1=Riveted mail and plate coat ''zirah bagtar''. Armour of this type was introduced into India under the Turks and Mughals.
| image2 = Akbar's amrour.jpg|caption2=16th century armour of [[Akbar the Great]].
| image3 = Helmet MET DP152944.jpg|caption3=A style of helmet known as top in India. This top came from the Deccan region.
| image4 = Helmet, Arm Guard, and Shield MET 36.25.64 006mar2015.jpg|caption4=A highly ornate top from 18th-century Mughal warrior.
| image5 = Chhatrapati shivaji vastu sangrahalaya museum (71).JPG|caption5=17th century Maratha armour.
| image6 = Coat of Pangolin scales.JPG|caption6=Coat covered with the gold decorated scales of the [[pangolin]], [[Rajasthan, India]], early 19th century.
}}

===Mughal armour ===
In the 16th century the armour in the Indian subcontinent developed very much. Armour such as [[chainmail]] and [[scale mail]] are widely used by the [[Mughals]]. The use of armour continues until the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225145650/http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/ |archivedate=2008-02-25 |title=Mughal Empire}}</ref>

===Mughal helmets===
Despite the similarity in their design, the Khula Khud helmets were decorated with a wide degree of variations depending on the cultures from which they were created. Decorations often appeared in the skull and the nasal bar, which were often heavily decorated with patterned motifs of inlaid brass, silver or gold; or decorated with figurative images. One Mughal top helmet featured calligraphic inscriptions from the [[Quran]], supposedly to gain "Help from Allah and a speedy victory." A top discovered in [[Gwalior]], India, featured a motif of the [[Skull and crossbones (symbol)|skull and crossbones]] sign of European influence. Another part of the Khula Khud helmet that was often a focus of artistic decoration, was the leaf-shaped finials of the nasal bar. A Sikh top featured the figure of [[Ganesha]] carved onto the nasal bar. The Khula Khud helmet was only decorated with some metals, and usually no organic decorations.{{sfn|Gahir|Spencer|2006|p=268}}

===Maratha armour===
Maratha armour is very similar to the Mughal armour but in the Maratha army, the infantry used armour while the [[cavalry]] is always lightly armoured, such as the [[leather armour]]. Maratha armour is mostly inspired by the Mughal armour.

==References==
<references />

==Further reading ==
* Roy, Kaushik. ''From Hydaspes to Kargil: A History of Warfare in India from 326 BC to AD 1999'' (2004)
* Sandhu, Gurcharn Singh. ''Military History of Medieval India'' (2003)

[[Category:Asian armour]]
[[Category:Military history of India]]