A Strange Discussion on Indian Weapons

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

If I understand correctly mail was not issued to the rank and file masses, in fact it was an expensive commodity typically worn by the professional or hereditary warriors and higher echelon figures...

You mean to say that mail shirt, char-aina, helmets, bazubands and so on were exclusively for elite horse riders?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Mercenary

You mean to say that mail shirt, char-aina, helmets, bazubands and so on were exclusively for elite horse riders?

No not really, I meant that large numbers of 'rank and file' forces may have ranged from peasantry with little more than tools or implements, while numbers of others may have had all manner of captured or surplus equipment. While artwork suggests that things were like modern military and soldiers stood in line to receive 'government issue' goods that seems pretty infeasible given the cost and production demands for these kinds of equipment.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

No not really, I meant that large numbers of 'rank and file' forces may have ranged from peasantry with little more than tools or implements, while numbers of others may have had all manner of captured or surplus equipment. While artwork suggests that things were like modern military and soldiers stood in line to receive 'government issue' goods that seems pretty infeasible given the cost and production demands for these kinds of equipment.

There were hired armies. And infantry were the least paid troops. The most part of them were peasants. There was no need to pierce mail everyday and possesed for it some kind of special "penetrating" daggers.