Sowar facts for kids

A Deccani courtier, around the year 1600.

A Sowar from the 6th Madras Light Cavalry serving the British East India Company, around 1845.

A Sowar (which means "the one who rides" or "rider" in Persian and Urdu) is a term for a horse-soldier. This title was first used during the Mughal Empire in India. Later, when the British ruled India (a time known as the British Raj), a Sowar was a soldier who rode a horse in the armies of British India and other local kingdoms.

The term Sowar was also used for a mounted guard or escort. It was the rank given to regular cavalry soldiers, similar to how a sepoy was a foot soldier in the infantry. Today, the armies of India and Pakistan still use the rank of Sowar for their cavalry troops.

History of the Sowar Role

The role of a Sowar has a long history in South Asia. These horse-soldiers were important parts of armies for centuries. They were skilled riders and fighters. For example, during the Carnatic Wars, which were conflicts in India, some Sowars were known to use muskets, a type of gun.

What Equipment Did Sowars Use?

Sowars used various weapons depending on the time period and their specific role. Some common equipment included the composite bow, which is a powerful type of bow, and the scimitar, a curved sword. They also used spears and, as mentioned, sometimes muskets. Their horses were also a key part of their equipment, allowing them to move quickly in battle.

See also

• Suvari