Indian War Elephant Corps

Timeline

1. 1200–1290Delhi · DelhiThe Delhi Sultanate incorporated the war elephant forces long used by local princes into the central military system, establishing systems for mahouts, armor, and carrying siege engines; war elephants became the standard heavy arm of the sultan's guard and provincial garrisons.
2. 1320–1340Northern India and the Deccan frontier · IndiaUnder the Tughlaq dynasty, the war elephant corps took part in resisting Mongol invasions, suppressing local rebellions, and campaigns such as the southern expedition to the Deccan; towers on the elephants' backs carried archers and stone-throwers, coordinating with cavalry flanking maneuvers to form the main field force of the sultanate.
3. 1331–1340Territory of the Delhi Sultanate · IndiaWar elephants required specialized mahouts for training and relied on large quantities of fodder and water on the march; the sultanate established elephant camps in the Ganges plain and along the Deccan's edge, and in wartime iqtah holders were obliged to supply elephants and handlers for central mobilization.