Martial Dressing of the Gaudiya Army

Traditional attire of Warriors of Bengal/Gauda.



From ancient period to medieval period , Gauda warriors used to have 16 types of weapons . (There is more than 16 types of weapon, usually a set contains 16 types which also includes warrior ornaments).

Some of the ornaments are: 
- Hoda
- Ghonta mala (bell) 
- Bagha-pati 
- Bala (bracelet) 
- Bahuti (armlet) 

Apart from these many weapons included in the set of Gauda warriors.
Eg: Kharpara , Dhaal (shield) , Ulotadhaar Tarabari (reverse edged sword).

Ten God and Goddess were Kshetra-pala of ten directions during the expedition of Gauda warriors. Simply each direction is dedicated to one God .  Eg: During expedition to Aishanya direction, the Dhali-s worship Maa Chamunda and she provides them power to focus on the battle.

(●) Bengali Infantry Army :

In the Gauda Empire the infantrymen mainly served as foot soldiers from peasant & pastoral backgrounds. Soldiers from Kaibarttya, Mahishya, Ugra, Paundra, Baghdi, Dhali clans primarily served in Gaudiya infantry. In the Deva era Bengal Army, commonly known as the 'Paiks' were transformed into a regular elite infantry. They held a similar position to the Praetorian guards & the Janissaries. They called themselves 'BaṅgaRakṣaka' meaning Guards of Bengal. They head of the Deva Bengali infantry was called 'Sthalapati'. 

(◆) Rājakīẏa Bāṅghālī Dēvasain'ya : 

The type of armour the Deva Paiks were is entirely from Chinese accounts whom describe them wearing Mirror Armour. They used to appear with mirror cuirass, kandband & bazubands over a mail robe. Muskets were a primary weapon during this period & were rather for weakening the opponent (e.g. Delhi Sultanate) which would be followed up with spear charges. 

Indo-Persian sources state the Bengali infantrymen of using two handed swords. Bengali Paiks used a type of two handed sword which is usually found in Eastern India. There are some accounts of leather fishscale armour, cuirass & shoulder guards. They used to carry the spear with a shield as primary weapon. Bengali Paiks, specially the Kaibarttya clansmen were masters of archery and also served as archers. Oi

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