War Elephants (Southeast Asia)

Timeline

1. 200–800Funan–Chenla region · CambodiaSoutheast Asian polities domesticated Asian elephants for transport and ceremony, gradually equipping them with howdahs and spearmen for the battlefield, creating a force combining shock and psychological intimidation in jungle and plain warfare.
2. 900–1100Angkor capital region · AngkorAngkor's kings established elephant stables and elephant-keeper offices; war elephants took part in campaigns against Champa and neighboring polities. Reliefs and inscriptions show elephant corps coordinating with infantry and naval forces, forming a core component of royal military power.
3. c. 1131–1140Angkor–Champa border battlefields · ChenlaIn the early 12th century Angkor launched several expeditions against Champa, using war elephants to break palisades and intimidate the enemy; meanwhile Pagan in Burma and the Thai polities also maintained elephant corps, and mainland Southeast Asian warfare in this period heavily relied on elephant-infantry coordination.