The period from 1000 to 1750 CE was a transformative era in global warfare, marked by the interplay of traditional melee and ranged weapons with the disruptive rise of gunpowder technology. Across regions—India, China, Europe, and other cultures such as the Middle East, Central Asia, Japan, and Mesoamerica—armies adapted weapons to suit diverse terrains, tactics, and enemies. This essay explores the effectiveness of bows, swords, and other weapons in warfare, questioning cinematic portrayals while detailing the arsenals, battle styles, and weapon efficacy in four major regions: India (Mughals, Marathas, and others), China (Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing), Europe (medieval to early modern), and a collective of other regions (Ottomans, Mongols, Japanese, Mesoamericans). By examining historical battles and technological shifts, it reveals how weapons shaped military outcomes and why diverse arsenals coexisted, reflecting cultural, logistical, and strategic priorities. I. Were Bows and Arrows Effe...