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

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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

Nice story.

Thanks!

I thought it might bring a smile to some of our heroes out there :-)

441 posted on 07/13/2004 9:04:44 PM PDT by Tamzee (Flush the Johns before they flood the White House!)

To: Colonel_Flagg; Old Sarge; All

~Simply Red~Holding Back the Years~

442 posted on 07/13/2004 9:08:21 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

To: bentfeather; All

It is time to bid all the canteen and our troops good nite Hugs

443 posted on 07/13/2004 9:10:58 PM PDT by Ms.Poohbear (God Bless our troops)

Niite Ms Pooh, glad you got to stop by for a spell. Rest well dear lady.

444 posted on 07/13/2004 9:13:29 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

Thank you God that only the bomber was killed. May each bomber end up the same way, and by themselves.

445 posted on 07/13/2004 9:15:36 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

Tamsey,This thread has many lurkers like others but we are here for our loved ones and you did good,you are a really caring person,fatima

446 posted on 07/13/2004 9:16:40 PM PDT by fatima (My Granddaughter Karen is Home-WOOHOO We unite with all our troops and send our love-)

447 posted on 07/13/2004 9:20:05 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

448 posted on 07/13/2004 9:20:05 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

449 posted on 07/13/2004 9:20:07 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

450 posted on 07/13/2004 9:20:08 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

To: fatima; Kathy in Alaska

Girlfriend, time for the UnBirthday girl to hit the feathers.

I know Ma, you just got home. Sorry bout that.

Nite, nite.....

451 posted on 07/13/2004 9:20:09 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

To: Kathy in Alaska; All

The Canteen

As a light house beacon warns
a ship away from dangerous shores...
We in the FReeper CANTEEN
offer a safe haven for our troops and their families.
May God Bless our ship FReeper CANTEEN.

bentfeather
9/05/03
Revised 01/05/04

If you wish touch the graphic....~A Simple Prayer~Roma Downey~

452 posted on 07/13/2004 9:20:59 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

Nite Ms. P

Sweet dreams!!

453 posted on 07/13/2004 9:22:28 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

Nite feather.

Sweet dreams!

454 posted on 07/13/2004 9:23:56 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

bentfeather,Goodnight beautiful.Who loves you most.Come to Philly and we will have fun.

455 posted on 07/13/2004 9:29:11 PM PDT by fatima (My Granddaughter Karen is Home-WOOHOO We unite with all our troops and send our love-)

You sleep well and rest up from your UnBirthday. See you in the morning.

456 posted on 07/13/2004 9:29:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

Good night and sleep tight, Ms Pooh.

457 posted on 07/13/2004 9:41:24 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

458 posted on 07/13/2004 9:41:26 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)

I am headed for bed ya'll! See ya in the morning - HUGS!!

459 posted on 07/13/2004 9:54:33 PM PDT by StarCMC (Please pray for the 2/7 Marines and Josh.)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Hey Ma!! Could you play When we Make Love by Alabama? I would sure appreciate it!!

460 posted on 07/13/2004 9:58:38 PM PDT by trussell (If stupidity was actually painful, some people would be on a permanent lidocane drip.)

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