The use of War Elephants decreased in the 18th century due to the advances in gunpowder weaponry although there were exceptions. The Mughals used war elephants with blades fixed to their tusks against the Persians in the Battle of Karnal in 1739. The Persian counter to this was to send camels carrying lit pots of oil charging into the ranks of elephants to panic them. When the camels were brought down the burning oil set the ground alight further hampering the Mughals.

Camals and elephants were also used as mobile artillery, sporting shaturnals, swivel mounted 1 to 2 pound artillery pieces. These could be used in a similar way to Horse Artillery in the support of light cavalry. At the Battle of Panipat of 1761 2,000 Afgan camal shaturnals decimated the Maratha's renowned light cavalry.

The main role for elephants in this period however was a beasts of burden carrying not just supplies but for hauling heavy guns. Guns drawn by bullocks would also have an elephant on hand to help push the pieces up steep inclines. The British had both camel and elephant batteries in India. Camels were used to pull up to 18lb field guns over sandy terrain whilst elephants were used to draw heavy field or siege artillery. Elephants were also used in mountain batteries where lighter guns were unlimbered and packed onto the animals then reassembled for battle.

Elephants were also seen as a status symbol and so it was common for an Indian King or Commander to lead the battle from the back of an Elephant, making himself a somewhat larger target for the enemy artillery.