The mace was essentially a weapon against armour for which purpose it is admirably designed. The spiked mace was particularly effective against the helmet. The Ain-I-Akbari mentions several types of maces. Apart form their use as weapons of war, maces also had a ceremonial role as a symbol of office or command and were carried by mace bearers or chobdars. Such maces were made of precious metals and lavishly ornamented.