This work covers the history of the military in the Indian subcontinent before the precolonial era. The text introduces the geographical aspects in setting up the militaristic approaches for campaigns in various battles and conquest of territories.
The main part of this book deals with the history of foreign invasions in India. The author begins with the history of Greek invasions in ancient India, which is the classical military conflict between Alexander and Porus. It also covers the strategical tactics adopted. However, the greater part of this book deals with the Islamic invasions in India beginning with Muhammad Ghori's campaign and the military stratagems adopted by the Sultans of Delhi. It covers the Mughal invasion with the first battle of Panipat in ad 1526 against Ibrahim Lodi, and the successive battles by the Mughal successors.
The final part deals with the war of succession by Shah Jahan's sons, warfare under the Nizams of Hyderabad, and the military account under the Maratha rule. The book should be of immense value to all scholars in military studies and warfare histories about how conquests were conducted in the past.
Chapter 1. How Geography Dictates StrategY 1
Chapter II. Alexander And Poros : Society And Army Contrasted ... 6
Chapter III. Alexander's Battle With Poros : Strategy And Tactics 15
Chapter IV. Islamic Invasions 24
Chapter V. Shihabuddin Ghori Vs. Prithviraj ... 32
Chapter VI. Mii.Ttary Organisation Of Turks ... 38
Chapter VII. Babui(S Invasion : First Panipat, 1526 49
Chapter VIII. Babur And Rana Sanga, 1527 56
Chapter IX. Humayun Vs. Sher Shah 62
ChapterX. Second Battle Of Panipat, 1556 66
Chapter XI. Mughal Conquest Of Bengal 70
Chapter XII. Battle Of Haldfaiat, 1576 75
Chapter XIII, The Last Mughal-Pathan Battle 84
Chapter XIV, Talikota, Jan. 5, 1565 .. 91
Chapter XV. Battle Of Bhatvadi 103
Chapter XVI. War For The Delhi Throne (1658-59) 108
Chapter XVII War For The Delhi Throne Jajau, 1707 118
Chaffer XVIII. Nfzam-Ul-Mulk's Three Battles : Ratanpur 124
Chaffer Xix. Nizam-Ul-Mulks Three Battles : Balapur And Shakar Khera 131
Chapter XX. Baji Rao's Palmied Campaign 139
Chapter XXI. Army Of The Mughal Emperors 146
Appendix I Maratha System Of War 155
Appendix II Elephantry 163
Index 169
Sir Jadunath Sarkar (1870-1958) was a scholar in medieval Indian history, specializing in Mughal dynasty. He studied at Presidency College, Calcutta. In 1898, he started teaching at Presidency College, Calcutta. He was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University in 1899. He was knighted in the year 1929.
