Ancient India: Did you mean...?

Lying at the crossroads of the eastern Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus has long been a meeting point for many of the world's great civilizations. Situated where Europe, Asia and Africa meet, its location shaped its history of bringing...

Map of India with Sri Lanka, illustrating locations of European settlements in the subcontinent between 1501 and 1739.

A c. 1830 illustration by Yellapah of Vellore showing six Sepoy uniforms of the East India Company Madras army. From left to right: - Madras Horse Artillery - Madras Light Cavalry - Madras Rifle Corps - Madras Pioneers - Madras...

A 19th-century illustration showing officers and sepoys (Indian recruits) of the East India Company's Madras army.

Blue and white Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC) logo from 1650-1674. Made in Japan to order by the company's directors in Batavia (Jakarta). Date between 1615 and 1674.

An 1839 illustration showing a trooper and sepoy (Indian recruit) of the East India Company army. 27th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry. (British Library, London)

The front and reverse of a Dutch East India Company duit - an old Dutch copper coin.

A copper coin minted by the British East India Company (EIC). From Bombay, 1821.

A plate from the Edo period (1615-1868) in Arita, Saga Prefecture in Japan, 1670-1740. "VOC" is the monogram for the Dutch East India Company, whose name in Dutch is Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie. Inspired by contemporary and previous...

Elephants were used in the ancient Indian army, irrespective of regions, dynasties, or points in time; their importance was never denied and continued well into the medieval period as well. The ready availability in the subcontinent of the...