So They Rode and Fought – Major-General S. Shahid Hamid

Title: So They Rode and Fought

Author: Major-General S. Shahid Hamid

Illustrator: Frank Wilson

Publisher: Midas Books & Hippocrene

Edition & Year: 1983 Edition

Pages & Size: 189 pages · Hardcover · 6.5 × 9.5 in

So They Rode and Fought, published in 1983 by Midas Books & Hippocrene, is an absorbing and meticulously researched chronicle of cavalry history written by Major-General S. Shahid Hamid. Drawing on years of military service and a passion for historical scholarship, Hamid offers a sweeping narrative that explains how the mounted warrior became a decisive force in warfare, diplomacy, and culture.

Spanning continents and centuries, this 189-page hardcover explores the rise of legendary horsemen: the swift raiders of the Asian steppes, chivalric knights of medieval Europe, fearless dragoons and hussars, and the iconic cavalry regiments of the 18th and 19th centuries. Hamid analyses their training, tactics, and weapons, illustrating how cavalry shaped campaigns, from swift reconnaissance and devastating charges to the gradual transition into mechanised units as technology advanced.

Complemented by Frank Wilson’s finely detailed illustrations, the book captures the splendour of uniforms, the anatomy of warhorses, and the energy of battle scenes, creating a vivid companion for readers passionate about military history or equestrian traditions. Beyond strategy, Hamid examines the enduring bond between horse and rider, the ethos of honour and mobility, and the role of cavalry in literature and national identity.

Whether you are a collector of military classics, a student of world history, or an enthusiast of horses in warfare, this volume is both informative and visually engaging, offering an accessible yet authoritative account of one of humanity’s most fascinating military institutions.

• Exhaustive study of the evolution of cavalry and its global impact

• Written by distinguished soldier and historian Major-General S. Shahid Hamid

• Enriched by evocative illustrations from Frank Wilson

• 1983 hardcover edition, 189 pages, 6.5 × 9.5 inches

• Essential reference for military historians, students, and lovers of equestrian history