FReeper Canteen ~ Part I: War in Ancient India ~ July 13, 2004

Part I: War in Ancient India

The history of ancient India is largely a history of Hindu culture and progress. Hindu culture has a distinct claim to a higher antiquity than Assyrian schools would claim for Sargon I and as much or even higher antiquity than Egyptian scholars would claim for the commencement of the first dynasty of Kings. One aspect of this culture consists in India's political institutions which were almost modern. Modern warfare has developed on mechanical lines, giving less scope for the qualities of courage and individual leadership. The value and importance of the army were realized very early in the history of India, and this led to the maintenance of a permanent militia to put down dissent within and arrest aggression from without. This gave rise to the Ksatriya warrior caste, and the ksatram dharmam came to mean the primary duty of war. To serve the country by participating in war became the svadharma of this warrior community.

Hindu military science recognizes two kinds of warfare - the dharmayuddha and the kutayuddha. Dharmayuddha is war carried on the principles of dharma, meaning here the Ksatradharma or the law of Kings and Warriors. In other words, it was a just and righteous war which had the approval of society. On the other hand, kuttayuddha was unrighteous war. It was a crafty fight carried on in secret. The Hindu science of warfare values both niti and saurya i.e. ethical principles and valor. It was therefore realized that the waging of war without regard to moral standards degraded the institution into mere animal ferocity. A monarch desirous of dharma vijaya should conform to the code of ethics enjoined upon warriors. The principles regulating the two kinds of warfare are elaborately described in the Dharmasutras and Dharmasastras, the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), the Arthasastra treatises of Kautalya, Kamandaka, and Sukra. Hindu India possessed the classical fourfold force of chariots, elephants, horsemen, and infantry, collectively known as the Caturangabala. Students also know that the old game of chess also goes by the name of Caturanga. From the references to this game in the Rg Veda and the Atharva Veda and in the Buddhists and Jaina books, it must have been very popular in ancient India. The Persian term Chatrang and the Arabic Shatrang are forms of the Sanskrit Caturanga.

According to Sir A. M. Eliot and Heinrich Brunnhofer (a German Indologist) and Gustav Oppert, all of whom have stated that ancient Hindus knew the use of gunpowder. Eliot tells us that the Arabs learnt the manufacture of gunpowder from India, and that before their Indian connection they had used arrows of naptha. It is also argued that though Persia possessed saltpetre in abundance, the original home of gunpowder was India. In the light of the above remarks we can trace the evolution of fire-arms in the ancient India. (source: German Indologists: Biograhpies of Scholars n Indian Studies writing in German - By Valentine Stache-Rosen. p.92). Terence Duke, author of The Boddhisattva Warriors: The Origin, Inner Philosophy, History and Symbolism of the Buddhist Martial Art Within India and China, martial arts went from India to China. Fighting without weapons was a specialty of the ancient Ksatreya warriors of India.

Introduction

The value and importance of the army were realized very early in the history of India, and this led in course of time to the maintenance of a permanent militia to put down dissensions. War or no war, the army was to be maintained, to meet any unexpected contingency. This gave rise to the Ksatriya or warrior caste, and the ksatram dharman came to mean the primary duty of war. To serve the country by participating in war became the svadharma or this warrior community.

The necessary education, drill, and discipline to cultivate militarism were confined to the members of one community, the Ksatriyas. This prevented the militant attitude from spreading to other communities and kept the whole social structure unaffected by actual wars and war institutions. Says the Arthva Veda: "May we revel, living a hundred winters, rich in heroes." The whole country looked upon the members of the ksatriya community as defenders of their country and consequently did not grudge the high influence and power wielded by the Ksatriyas, who were assigned a social rank next in importance to the intellectual and spiritual needs of the society. The ancient Hindus were a sensitive people, and their heroes were instructed that they were defending the noble cause of God, Crown and Country. Viewed in this light, war departments were 'defense' departments and military expenditure were included in the cost of defense. In this, as in many cases, ancient India was ahead of modern ideas.

Chivalry, individual heroism, qualities of mercy and nobility of outlook even in the grimmest of struggles were not unknown to the soldiers of ancient India. Thus among the laws of war, we find that (1) a warrior (Khsatriya) in armor must not fight with one not so clad (2) one should fight only one enemy and cease fighting if the opponent is disabled, (3) aged men, women and children, the retreating, or one who held a straw in his lips as a sign of unconditional surrender should not be killed. It is of topical interest to note that one of the laws enjoins the army to leave the fruit and flower gardens, temples and other places of public worship unmolested.

Next Tuesday, Part II of War in Ancient India

Photograph, Medal of Honor and Flags

GARY, DONALD ARTHUR
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Franklin.
Place and date: Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945.
Entered service at: Ohio.
Born: 23 July 1903, Findlay, Ohio.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an engineering officer attached to the U.S.S. Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft during the operations against the Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945.
Stationed on the third deck when the ship was rocked by a series of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs, rockets, and ammunition by the hostile attack, Lt. (j.g.) Gary unhesitatingly risked his life to assist several hundred men trapped in a messing compartment filled with smoke, and with no apparent egress. As the imperiled men below decks became increasingly panic stricken under the raging fury of incessant explosions, he confidently assured them he would find a means of effecting their release and, groping through the dark, debris-filled corridors, ultimately discovered an escapeway. Stanchly determined, he struggled back to the messing compartment 3 times despite menacing flames, flooding water, and the ominous threat of sudden additional explosions, on each occasion calmly leading his men through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had been saved. Selfless in his concern for his ship and his fellows, he constantly rallied others about him, repeatedly organized and led fire-fighting parties into the blazing inferno on the flight deck and, when firerooms 1 and 2 were found to be inoperable, entered the No. 3 fireroom and directed the raising of steam in 1 boiler in the face of extreme difficulty and hazard. An inspiring and courageous leader, Lt. (j.g.) Gary rendered self-sacrificing service under the most perilous conditions and, by his heroic initiative, fortitude, and valor, was responsible for the saving of several hundred lives. His conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service.

GERSTUNG, ROBERT E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company H, 313th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Siegfried Line near Berg, Germany, 19 December 1944.
Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
Born: 6 August 1915, Chicago, Ill.
G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
Citation: On 19 December 1944 he was ordered with his heavy machinegun squad to the support of an infantry company attacking the outer defense of the Siegfried Line near Berg, Germany.
For 8 hours he maintained a position made almost untenable by the density of artillery and mortar fire concentrated upon it and the proximity of enemy troops who threw hand grenades into the emplacement. While all other members of his squad became casualties, he remained at his gun. When he ran out of ammunition, he fearlessly dashed across bullet-swept, open terrain to secure a new supply from a disabled friendly tank. A fierce barrage pierced the water jacket of his gun, but he continued to fire until the weapon overheated and jammed. Instead of withdrawing, he crawled 50 yards across coverless ground to another of his company's machineguns which had been silenced when its entire crew was killed. He continued to man this gun, giving support vitally needed by the infantry. At one time he came under direct fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his hand with an armor-piercing shell but could not drive him from his position or stop his shooting. W hen the American forces were ordered to retire to their original positions, he remained at his gun, giving the only covering fire. Finally withdrawing, he cradled the heavy weapon in his left arm, slung a belt of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked to the rear, loosing small bursts at the enemy as he went. One hundred yards from safety, he was struck in the leg by a mortar shell; but, with a supreme effort, he crawled the remaining distance, dragging along the gun which had served him and his comrades so well. By his remarkable perseverance, indomitable courage, and heroic devotion to his task in the face of devastating fire, T/Sgt. Gerstung gave his fellow soldiers powerful support in their encounter with formidable enemy forces.

"If there be any glory in war, let it rest on the shoulders of men like these." -- Audie Murphy

Thank you to every soldier, sailor, airman, marine and coast guardsman who has ensured that I have the freedoms I have today. You are my heroes.
You will not be forgotten.

Graphics and information from the MOH website.

John Kerry's Wife
>
> Do you find it strange that Kerry's wife is never with him? Do you find it
> strange that
> you never hear any thing about her? This may be why! As time goes on,
we're
> just getting
> to know the possible future First Lady of the United States of America,
and
> it is quite
> interesting. You'll be hearing even more about Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of
> Democratic
> front-runner. She has quite a track record, especially when it comes to
the
> causes she
> donates to. One of her favorite charities is the Tides Foundation. What
is
> that, you ask?
> This foundation sends hundreds of millions of dollars to groups that
> protested the
> invasion of Iraq; that demands open U.S. borders; and provides legal
> defense for suspected
> terrorists. Among other groups supported by Kerry's wife: Ramsey Clark's
> International
> Action Center. This is the same Ramsey Clark that offered to defend Saddam
> Hussein.
> Another group seeks to ease restrictions on immigration from terrorist
> nations. Another
> group has links to the terrorist group Hamas. And on and on. American jobs
> are OUTSOURCED
> by John F. Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz-Kerry! We need to ask: Why not
> manufacture in
> America and ship finished products overseas? How many American workers are
> in these Heinz
> overseas factories?
>
> HEINZ WATTIE'S AUSTRALASIA - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
> HEINZ SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. - Republic of Singapore
> HEINZ WATTIE'S LIMITED - Auckland, New Zealand
> HEINZ JAPAN LTD - Tokyo, Japan
> HEINZ-UFE LTD. - Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
> HEINZ COSCO - Qingdao, People's Republic of China
> HEINZ KOREA LTD. - Inchon, South Korea
> HEINZ WIN CHANCE LTD. - Bangkok, Thailand
> HEINZ INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED - Mumbai, India PT
> HEINZ ABC INDONESIA - Jakarta, Indonesia PT
> HEINZ SUPRAMA - Surabaya, Indonesia HEINZ UFC PHILIPPINES - Manila,
> the Philippines
> HEINZ HONG KONG LIMITED - Wanchai, Hong Kong
> H. J. HEINZ (Botswana) (Proprietary) LTD. - Gaborone, Botswana
> KGALAGADI SOAP INDUSTRIES (Pty) LTD. - Gaborone, Botswana
> REFINED OIL PRODUCTS (Pty) LTD. - Gaborone, Botswana
> OLIVINE INDUSTRIES (Private) LIMITED - Harare, Zimbabwe
> CHEGUTU CANNERS (Pvt) LTD. - Chegutu, Zimbabwe
> HEINZ SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD. - Johannesburg, South Africa
> HEINZ WELLINGTON'S (PTY) LTD. - Wellington, South Africa
> HEINZ EUROPE - Hayes, Middlesex, England
> H. J. HEINZ COMPANY LIMITED - Hayes Park, Hayes, Middlesex,
England
> H. J. HEINZ COMPANY LIMITED - Rovereto, Italy
> H. J. HEINZ COMPANY LIMITED - Telford, England
> JOHN WEST FOODS LIMITED - Liverpool, England
> H. J. HEINZ FROZEN &CHILLED FOODS LIMITED - Hayes, Middlesex,
England
> H. J. HEINZ COMPANY (IRELAND) LIMITED - Dublin, Ireland
> H.J. HEINZ COMPANY OF CANADA LTD - North York, Ontario, Canada
> OMSTEAD FOODS LIMITED - Wheatley, Ontario, Canada
> ALIMENTOS HEINZ C.A. - Caracas, Venezuela
> DISTRIBUIDORA BANQUETE, S.A. - San Josi, Costa Rica
> HEINZ ITALIA S.r.l. - Milan, Italy
> FATTORIA SCALDASOLE, S.p.a. - Monguzzo, Italy
> COPAIS FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANY, S.A. - Athens, Greece
> HEINZ POLSKA Sp. Z.O.O. - Warsaw, Poland
> PUDLISZKI S.A. - Pudliszki, Poland
> WODZISLAW, S.A. - Wodzislaw, Poland
> ETS. PAULET S.A. - Douarnenez, France
> H. J. HEINZ FROZEN S.A.R.L. - Paris, France
> HEINZ IBERICA S.A. - Madrid, Spain
> IDAL (Industrias de Alimentacc, Lda.) - Lisbon, Portugal
> MIEDZYCHOD S.A. - Miedzychod, Poland
> HEINZ C.I.S. - Moscow, Russia
> HEINZ GEORGIEVSK - Georgievsk, Russia
> CAIRO FOOD INDUSTRIES SAE - Cairo, Egypt
> HEINZ REMEDIA LIMITED - Tel Aviv, Israel
> STAR-KIST FOOD DB'OR LIMITED - Haifa, Israel
> H. J. HEINZ GMBH - Dusseldorf, Germany
> SONNEN BASSERMANN - Seesen, Germany
> KONINKLIJKE DE RUIJTER BV - The Netherlands
> HAK BV - The Netherlands
> FOODMARK - The Netherlands
> HONIG MERKARTIKELEN BV - The Netherlands
> DRUKKERIJ DE GROENBOER - The Netherlands
> H. J. HEINZ B.V . - Elst, The Netherlands
> H. J. HEINZ BELGIUM S.A. - Brussels, Belgium
> SERV-A-PORTION - Turnhout, Belgium
> Arimpex Industrie Alimentari S.R.L. - Rovereto, Italy
> Comexo S.A. - Chateaurenard, France
> HEINZ EUROPE - UK and IRELAND - Factories: Chorley, Fakenham,
Grimsby,
> Kendal, Kitt Green, Leaminton, Luton, Okehampton, Telford, Westwick
>
> Think of the conflict of interest a President would have who's wife owns
> business
> interests in all of these countries...

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