Physics & Mechanics
Toe-loop stirrup
by ~2nd c. BCEIndian ridersSanchi/Bhaja carvingsMadhya Pradesh
200 BCE
A simple toe-loop to steady a barefoot rider, an early step toward the stirrup.
- Dated
- 200–101 BCE
- As scholars put it
- by ~2nd c. BCE
- Originator
- Indian riders
- Source text
- Sanchi/Bhaja carvings
- Region
- Madhya Pradesh
- Discipline
- Physics & Mechanics
- Evidence
- Plausible precursor
- Confidence
- Medium
- Verification
- Verified-web
Meanwhile in the West
The full foot stirrup is usually credited to China/Central Asia.
Fair to say
This is a toe-loop precursor; the true stirrup's invention is generally credited elsewhere.
Path to modern innovation
The stirrup transformed cavalry warfare.
Transmission
Idea spread outward and evolved.
References
- 1Wikipedia: List of Indian inventions
- 2Marshall on Sanchi
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-106 on GitHub.