Can you believe ‘Game of Thrones’ got its battle gear from Uttarakhand?

What’s a factory in Dehradun doing making swords and shields for some of the biggest battle scenes in television history? That’s the question you might ask upon learning that behind the cinematic grandeur of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, The Hobbit, and Assassin’s Creed lies a workshop run by Lord of Battles—a homegrown Indian brand that has quietly become a go-to name for handcrafted medieval props in global entertainment.

Far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, in a quiet industrial pocket of Dehradun, Lord of Battles is creating intricately crafted armour, helmets, shields, swords, and chainmail. It’s an unlikely birthplace for the very artefacts seen in global blockbusters and television epics, where every clang of metal and stroke of paint echoes centuries-old techniques and storytelling traditions.

Inside the armoury

The rhythmic sound of hammering fills the space long before one steps inside the Lord of Battles workshop. Inside, rows of skilled artisans are deeply engaged in their craft. One is seen etching intricate designs onto a brass shield; another fastens rivets into a heavy steel helmet. A rack of chainmail glistens in the light, resembling artefacts from a museum—except these are destined for movie sets around the world.

Each item is painstakingly handmade. Be it a leather tunic, a gothic breastplate, or a Roman gladiator’s helmet, the goal is the same—authenticity and aesthetic perfection. “Every stage is important,” says Mahajan. “From the samples to the final product, even after it’s made, there are changes—size, look, texture. Right from sending the design to making samples, shipping... all stages are crucial.” Unlike mass-produced costume props, these are meticulously aged and weathered to look as though they’ve seen battle. Historical blueprints and tattered research books guide the design process. The attention to detail is so exacting, even a shield meant for background use is built with care. 

Around the warehouse, crates marked for shipping display destinations such as Spain, London, Los Angeles and the like. One crate, labelled “HOTD,” is headed for the next season of HBO’s House of the Dragon. It’s a surreal image—a piece of history (literally) packed neatly into boxes from Dehradun.

The man behind the mission

At the helm of this extraordinary enterprise is Captain Saurabh Mahajan, a former Indian Army officer who took early retirement nearly two decades ago. A chance encounter during a Rishikesh rafting trip in 2005 introduced him to a theatre costume buyer. Impressed by the props she showed him, Mahajan offered to make similar ones. His work—cheaper and better than what was being sourced from the Czech Republic—was an instant hit.

That first success led to the founding of SN Worldwide Exports Pvt Ltd, which evolved into Lord of Battles. In 2007, the company landed its first major project with the BBC’s Merlin, followed by work for the Royal Shakespeare Company. The turning point came with Game of Thrones, where Lord of Battles created some of the most memorable pieces of medieval battle gear for the show’s epic war sequences. “Season 4 of GOT was my favourite. It felt so real. I loved working on that project,” Mahajan says.

Under Mahajan’s leadership, the company has expanded globally. Offices in the US and Spain now operate under the brands Mythrojan and MedieWorld Europe. They’ve also acquired the US-based historical replica brand House of Warfare and have secured major contracts, including those for House of the Dragon. Mahajan's military background has shaped the company’s ethos: discipline, precision, and a deep commitment to delivery. “If a studio gives a six-month deadline, the internal target is three,” he says. “I deliver on time—and I have to thank my military training for that.”

Crafting the fantasy

Each production begins with detailed communication, mostly with costume designers who share designs and concepts. Sometimes, designers fly down to Dehradun and work onsite with the team. From first sketch to final shipment, every stage is handled with exacting care. Samples are made, changes incorporated, materials tested, and every piece built to match the vision of directors and designers.

Lord of Battles also works with historians and researchers to verify the authenticity of each item. “They’ll tell us if something was from the 14th century or the 15th century. We have to get it right,” Mahajan says. While functionality sometimes demands lightweight materials, the look must always reflect the time period with conviction. “All production houses want it to feel real. One can always tell when it’s fake.”

Mahajan’s personal favourites include Outlaw King and Game of Thrones, especially Season 4, which he describes as “the most realistic, the most immersive.” Despite the company's global success, there's one project he still dreams of: a historical Indian epic featuring authentic Mughal armour. “The research is still lacking,” he notes. “But it’s something we want to do—and do right.”

A legacy in the making

Lord of Battles now employs over 140 craftsmen with a total work force of 204 professionals. Many have stayed with the company for over a decade and rotate across its global offices. From its humble beginnings with just three craftsmen, it has grown into an enterprise that injects millions into the local economy and exports Indian craftsmanship to global cinema.

Technological innovation is also shaping the company’s future. With investments in AI-driven design and 3D printing, Mahajan is focused on scaling efficiency without compromising on quality. “AI will go hand in hand with craftsmanship. It’s not a threat. At the end of the day, the customer knows what’s real and what’s not.”

In a world increasingly dominated by CGI and digital effects, it’s remarkable that some of the most powerful visuals still depend on the touch of a craftsman’s hand. From Dehradun’s quiet lanes to the battlefields of Westeros, Lord of Battles continues to remind the world that history—and fantasy—can be forged in fire, sweat, and steel.

Images: Lord of Battles

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