About
Not only is this the only near-complete surviving elephant armour in the world, it is also in the Guinness Book of Records for being the largest. Entire villages were enlisted in the time consuming work of making the plates for the armour!
War Elephants didn’t just carry soldiers in battles; they were also used as weapons themselves. This armour originally included tusk swords with fierce wavy blades which would piece the strong armour of their enemies. Ouch!
There is an eye witness account from an English traveller in 1660 who claimed he saw Mughal Indian war elephants mounted with large guns, sort of like modern day tanks! The Mughal Army were well known for their use of war elephants, they weren’t however the only ones who used them. The use of elephants in war spread out across South-East Asia as well as West into Europe and they were still used as late as the Second World War.
Things to think about:
- How do you think the soldiers made the elephants fight?
- Do you think it is okay to use animals in warfare?
- Can you think of any other animals that are used in warfare?
If you like the idea of armour for animals, check out this horse armour on Show Me.
Museum's description
This fabulous 17th century armour is composed of 5,840 plates and weighs 118kg, some plates are missing and originally the total number would be 8,439 and weigh 159kg! The tusk swords that accompany this armour (not on display) weigh in at 10kg.
It is the only animal armour of this scale on public display and recently entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest animal armour in the world.
Acquired in India by Lady Clive, wife of Edward, 2nd Lord Clive (Governor of Madras), between 1798 and 1800, and brought back to England in 1801; displayed in the Elephant Room at Powis Castle. Placed on loan to the Armouries in 1949 for conservation.
Presented to the nation in lieu of death duty by the Earl of Powis in 1962 and placed in the care of the Armouries.
There is a copy of this armour, made in England, in a private collection in America.
Date
c.1600
Artist
Unknown
Size
shaffron 243x190cm (96x75in), throat defence 251x75cm (99x30in), front panel 167x137cm (66x54in), cenre panels 170x106cm (67x42in), rear panel 170x134cm (67x53in), as mounted length 485cm, height 390cm (to top of mahout) width 175cm. Weight: shaffron 27kg (60lb), throat defence 12kg (27lb), front panel 18kg (39lb), centre panels 19kg (42lb), rear panel 23kg (51lb), total 118 kg (260lb), [total when complete about 159kg (350lb)]
More details
Place: Mughal India
Medium: Cane, silk, silver thread
From
Royal Armouries
