Indian War Elephants

Timeline

1. c. -300–-180Pataliputra · Ganges PlainAccording to classical texts, the Mauryan Empire possessed a large elephant force; war elephants broke infantry lines and assaulted fortifications, and together with chariotry formed the military core of the early South Asian empire.
2. c. 1–300Mathura · IndiaThe Kushans and southern Indian powers such as the Cholas and Pallavas continued the elephant tradition; war-elephant carvings and coin imagery appear widely, showing that elephant forces remained an important component of royal military power.
3. c. 300–500Pataliputra · Ganges PlainIn the Gupta Empire's army organization, elephant troops stood alongside cavalry and infantry; war elephants were used for shock and intimidation, while elephant-warfare experience and tactics spread westward to powers such as Sasanian Persia.