The Tale of the Horse: A History of India on Horseback

Omnipresent on the Indian landscape, the horse is a thread that connects history, mythology, art, literature, folklore and popular belief. As we follow its trail into and across India, we find ourselves on an exhilarating journey covering caravan-trade routes through Central Asia, Afghanistan and Tibet, sea routes from the Middle East, the dominions of different south Indian kings and Mughal emperors as well as the Maratha and Rajput horse-warrior states. Along the way, we learn of the horse’s political symbolism, its vital function in social life, religion, sport and war, its role in shaping economies, identities and forging crucial human bonds. We grow familiar with local horse breeds and encounter fabulous horsewomen. We meet grooms, farriers, breeders, traders and bandits, besides finding magnificent examples of the horse itself – from Rana Pratap’s legendary Chetak to Ranjit Singh’s much-contested Laili and Pabuji’s cherished black mare. Our journey comes to an end with the onset of colonial rule and mechanization, which would bring about the agonized decline of this glorious age of the horse. Instrumental in shaping the subcontinent’s history, the horse presents us with a timeless tale of migration and permanent intermingling, not unlike that of its human counterparts. It is thus a uniquely fitting vantage from which to appreciate the extraordinary history of this land.