fiendishrabbit t1_irs3bz0 wrote
There are two uses of metal in fortifications prior to the invention of large scale steel smelting in the 19th century.
- Iron cramps were sometimes used to hold stones together more solidly (or as reinforcement while the mortar dried. Medieval mortar was wetter and dried more slowly than modern mortar, so this could take a lot of time). Especially in arches like at the top of gates, in bridges etc.
- Gates and portcullises were frequently ether reinforced by metal or plated with metal. Sometimes this was purely defensively, but often it was decorative as well (displaying the wealth of the city or lord that owned the gate). The gates of Indian fortresses were also frequently studded with metal spikes to prevent an attacker from using elephants to bash down the gate.
theartificialkid t1_irtl1qk wrote
> The gates of Indian fortresses were also frequently studded with metal spikes to prevent an attacker from using elephants to bash down the gate.
Also sometimes built on a corner at the top of a narrow ramp for the same reason.
fiendishrabbit t1_irtqdjr wrote
If you're talking about ramps like the one at the Gwailor fort (or the inner gate at Bhangarh fort), then that's not so much for preventing elephants but battering rams.
Elephants are pretty agile. Protected battering rams, not so much.
theartificialkid t1_irtvxhx wrote
According to the guides it was also to stop elephants, because it’s hard for them to charge in a confined space. Made sense to me at the time.
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