The Indian Frontier

The books brings together the works of Gommans on the warhorse and its impact on medieval and early modern state-formation in South Asia. Gommans observes that Indian empires always had to deal with a highly dynamic inner frontier between semi-arid wilderness and settled agriculture. Such inner frontiers could only be bridged by the ongoing movements of Turkish, Afghan, Rajput & other warbands. In discussing the breeding trading of horses & their role in medieval and early modern South Asian warfare, he also makes comparisons with Europe and the Middle East. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Jos J.L. Gommans holds the chair of Colonial and Global History at the University of Leiden. His major publications include The Rise of the Indo-Afghan Empire, c.1710-1780 (Leiden, 1995; Delhi, 1999; 2017) and Mughal Warfare: Indian Frontiers and High Roads to Empire, 1500-1700 (London, 2002).

Introduction, 1. The Horse Trade in Eighteenth-century South Asia, 2. The Silent Frontier of South Asia, c. ad 1100-1800, 3. The Eurasian Frontier after the First Millennium ad: Reflections Along the Fringe of Time and Space, 4. Warhorse and Post-Nomadic Empire in Asia, c. 1000-1800, 5. The Embarrassment of Political Violence in Europe and South Asia, c. 1100-1800, 6. Indian Warfare and Afghan Innovation during the Eighteenth Century, 7. Warhorse and Gunpowder in India, c. ad 1000-1850, 8. Slavery and Naukari among the Bangash Nawabs of Farrukhabad 9. The Warband in the Making of Eurasian Empires