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FReeper Canteen ~ Part III: War in Ancient India ~ July 27, 2004
A Tribute to Hinduism ^ | July 27, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 07/26/2004 7:59:00 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca

 
 

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The United States Armed Forces.

 
 

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Part III: War in Ancient India

 
Weapons of War as Gathered from Literature

Dhanur Veda classifies the weapons of offence and defense into four - the mukta, the amukta, the mukta-mukta and the yantramukta. The Nitiprakasika, on the other hand, divides them into three broad classes, the mukta (thrown), the amukta (not thrown), and the mantramukta (discharged by mantras). The bows and arrows are the chief weapons of the mukta group. The very fact that our military science named Dhanur Veda provides sufficiently clearly that the bow and arrow were the principle weapons of war in those times. It was known by different terms as sarnga, kodanda, and karmuka. Whether these are synonyms of the same thing or were different is difficult to say. The Rg vedaic smith was not only a steel worker but also an arrow maker. 

 
Fire-Arms:

It would be interesting to examine the true nature of the agneya-astras. Kautalya describes agni-bana, and mentions three recipes - agni-dharana, ksepyo-agni-yoga, and visvasaghati. Visvasaghati was composed of 'the powder of all the metals as red as fire or the mixture of the powder of kumbhi, lead, zinc, mixed with the charcoal and with oil wax and turpentine.' From the nature of the ingredients of the different compositions it would appear that they were highly inflammable and could not be easily extinguished. 

A recent writer remarks:
'The Visvasaghati-agni-yoga was virtually a bomb which burst and the fragments of metals were scattered in all directions. The agni-bana was the fore-runner of a gun-shot.....

Sir A. M. 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. It is said that the Turkish word top and the Persian tupang or tufang are derived from the Sanskrit word dhupa. The dhupa of the Agni Purana means a rocket, perhaps a corruption of the Kautaliyan term natadipika. 

(source:
Fire-Arms in Ancient India -  By Jogesh Chandra Ray I.H.Q. viii. p. 586-88).

Heinrich Brunnhofer (1841-1917), German Indologist, also believed that the ancient Aryans of India knew about gunpowder. 

(source:
German Indologists: Biographies of Scholars in Indian Studies writing in German - By Valentine Stache-Rosen. p.92).

Gustav Oppert (1836-1908) born in Hamburg, Germany, he taught Sanskrit and comparative linguistics at the Presidency College, Madras for 21 years. He was the Telugu translator to the Government and Curator, Government Oriental Manuscript Library. Translated Sukraniti, statecraft by an unknown author.

He attempted to prove that ancient Indians knew firearms. 

(source:
German Indologists: Biographies of Scholars in Indian Studies writing in German - By Valentine Stache-Rosen. p.81).

(For more refer to article by G R Josyer - India: The Home of Gunpowder and Firearms).

In his work, Political Maxims of the Ancient Hindus, he says, that ancient India was the original home of gunpowder and fire-arms. It is probable that the word Sataghni referred to in the Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana refers to cannon. 

(source: Hindu Culture and The Modern Age - By Dewan Bahadur K.S. Ramaswami Shastri - Annamalai University 1956 p. 127).

The word astra in the Sukraniti is interpreted by Dr. Gustav Oppert as a bow. The term astra means a missile, anything which is discharged. Agneya astra means a fiery arm as distinguished from a firearm.  

Dr. Oppert refers to half a dozen temples in South India to prove the use of fire-arms in ancient India. The Palni temple in the Madura District contains on the outer portion in an ancient stone mantapa scenes of carved figures of soldiers carrying in their hands small fire-arms, apparently the small-sized guns mentioned in the Sukranitisara. Again in the Sarnagapani temple at Kumbakonam in the front gate of the fifth story from the top is the figure of a king sitting in a chariot drawn by horses and surrounded by a number of soldiers. Before this chariot march two sepoys with pistols in their hands. In the Nurrukkal mantapam of the Conjeevaram temple is a pillar on the north side of the mandapa. Here is a relief vividly representing a flight between two bodies of soldiers. Mounted horsemen are also seen. The foot-soldier is shown aiming his fire-arm against the enemy. Such things are also noted in the Tanjore temple and the temple at Perur, in the Coimbatore District. In the latter there is an actual representation of a soldier loading a musket. 

The Borobudar in Java where Indian tradition is copied wholesale. They are ascribed roughly to the period 750-850 A.D. There is a striking relief series PL. I, fig. 5, (1605) representing a battle in which two others are seen on each side, one wearing a curved sword in the right hand and a long shield, and the other a mace and a round shield resembling a wheel, all apparently made of iron. The story of the Ramayana is also given as in the Tadpatri temple from Rama's going to the forest down to the killing of Ravana. There is also a wonderful sculpture of an ancient Hindu ship. 

(source: Suvarnadvipa - By R.C. Majumdar. pp 194-5).

Medhatithi remarks thus "while fighting his enemies in battle, he shall not strike with concealed weapons nor with arrows that are poisoned or barbed on with flaming shafts."

Sukraniti while referring to fire-arms, (agneyastras) says that before any war, the duty of the minister of war is to check up the total stock of gunpowder in the arsenal. Small guns is referred as tupak by Canda Baradayi. The installation of yantras (engines of war) inside the walls of the forts referred to by Manasollasa and the reference of Sataghni (killer of hundreds of men) pressed into service for the protection of the forts by Samaranganasutradhara clearly reveals the frequent use of fire arms in the battle-field.

(source: India Through The Ages: History, Art Culture and Religion - By G. Kuppuram p. 512-513).


Lord Rama with his bow defeats Ravana in the gold city of Lanka

In the light of the above remarks we can trace the evolution of fire-arms in the ancient India. There is evidence to show that agni (fire) was praised for vanquishing an enemy. The Arthava Veda shows the employment of fire-arms with lead shots. The Aitareya Brahmana describes an arrow with fire at its tip. In the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the employment of agnyastras is frequently mentioned, and this deserves careful examination in the light of other important terms like ayah, kanapa and tula-guda. 

The agnicurna or gunpowder was composed of 4 to 6 parts of saltpetre, one part of sulphur, and one part of charcoal of arka, sruhi and other trees burnt in a pit and reduced to powder. Here is certain evidence of the ancient rockets giving place to actual guns in warfare. From the description of the composition of gunpowder, the composition of the Sukraniti can be dated at the pre-Gupta age. 

(source: War in Ancient India - By V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar 1944. p. 103 -105).

 

Next Tuesday, Part IV of War in Ancient India






TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientindia; ancientwar; canteen; freepercanteen; india; weaponsofwar
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To: Mudboy Slim

Excellent as always Mud!!


281 posted on 07/27/2004 2:23:38 PM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: StarCMC

This really happened, huh?
That SOB!!!!
Just when I thought I couldn't hate him more....
What a !@#$%#@!!!
GRRRRRRR!!!
Ms.B


282 posted on 07/27/2004 3:42:42 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds Re-elect George W Bush)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; Ms.Poohbear; Long Cut; Jet Jaguar; All

Good evening Canteeners!
Good evening Troops!!
This is "hell week"...
Lots of intensive training and labs...
Doing great so far, but I hate the early morning hours!!
Next week, all the blood drives will be in the afternoon..
I'll also be able to catch up this weekend...
Hope you are all well....
I'll be here off and on for a bit!!
Hugs all around!!
Ms.B


283 posted on 07/27/2004 3:46:55 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds Re-elect George W Bush)
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To: StarCMC

Thank ya kindly, ma'am...MUD


284 posted on 07/27/2004 3:49:31 PM PDT by Mudboy Slim (RE-IMPEACH Osama bil Clinton!!)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Hey there.....how far do you have to drive to get to work? Are the blood drives at different businesses around town? Stick any customers yet?

Are you practicing the things you learned at school? ((HUGS))

285 posted on 07/27/2004 3:57:15 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: SevenofNine
North Korea is like a kid having a temper tantrum, but dangerous!! And Iran should be expecting a visit from the Mossad!

Go Israel!!

Thanks, Seven, for the international updates.


286 posted on 07/27/2004 4:01:11 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; tomkow6; MoJo2001; Bethbg79; HiJinx; LaDivaLoca; beachn4fun; ...

MAINTENANCE — U.S. Army Capt. Woodworth (left) and Sgt. Jared Peringer, of the Mobile Maintenance Support Team, perform maintenance on a 50 caliber machine gun at a remote site in Afghanistan, July 24, 2004. The team is assigned to the Joint Logistics Command out of Bagram Airfield and is the only mobile maintenance team in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Thomas Bray

287 posted on 07/27/2004 4:03:37 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

HIYA MA!!!!!
HUGS!!!!
I miss you!!!!
Yep, blood drives are usually held at the place of the people who sponser(ed) them...
I have about a 22 mile drive to work, not too bad...
Some heavy traffic on the Interstate in the morning..
But, I'm usually up early, and arrive to work before the worst of it..
I have been learning how to do finger sticks, and testing blood in the Hematacrit machine..lots of lab work...
I will not do a "veni-puncture" for a few weeks yet...
Ms.B


288 posted on 07/27/2004 4:10:18 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds Re-elect George W Bush)
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To: beachn4fun
I hear there's a beach party happening soon!

thanks for mentioning it to me but I couldn't go. I don't get to travel much and I almost never get further away then about 50 miles from home. I heard about the cruise they do but I can't get away for that long either although it looks like fun.

289 posted on 07/27/2004 4:14:58 PM PDT by Ryan Tiger ("Life is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; tomkow6; MoJo2001; Bethbg79; HiJinx; LaDivaLoca; beachn4fun; ...

Sailors of the USS Vella Gulf stand proudly under the American flag displayed below the ship's bridge as the ship pulls pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. after completing a six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf, July 26, 2004. Vella Gulf was assigned to USS George Washington battle group in support of the war on terror. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby R. McRill

USS Vella Gulf pulls pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., after completing a six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf, July 26, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby R. McRill

290 posted on 07/27/2004 4:18:03 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Long Cut; Jet Jaguar; bentfeather
Just a note to say..I miss my flying buddies!!!

291 posted on 07/27/2004 4:20:36 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds Re-elect George W Bush)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; tomkow6; MoJo2001; Bethbg79; HiJinx; LaDivaLoca; beachn4fun; ...

Family members await the return of USS Vella Gulf at Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf, July 26, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby R. McRill


292 posted on 07/27/2004 4:28:37 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: All

Feel free to copy and paste

"Our military response to the attacks has caused more civilian deaths
in Afghanistan than the hijackers caused in our country."

http://www.vvaw.org/commentary/?id=8

Kerry's OWN
Vietnam Veterans Against the war

NOT a "right wing wacko site"

Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement on John Kerry

http://www.vvaw.org/commentary/?id=400

John Kerry and War Crimes in Vietnam

http://www.vvaw.org/commentary/?id=399

VVAW Statement on Robert Kerrey
(A 9/11 commission member
AND killer of innocent civilians in Viet Nam)

http://www.vvaw.org/commentary/?id=5

Who wants a self confessed war criminal like Kerry?

How come he doesn't mention his service to his country
AFTER he came back from killing innocent civilians?

Not Me!


293 posted on 07/27/2004 4:32:19 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Hanoi Kerry is a traitor!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LaDivaLoca; bentfeather; beachn4fun; Fawnn; Ragtime Cowgirl; ...
From the men in the Military and the Canteen


294 posted on 07/27/2004 4:38:48 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Good Evening Ladies)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Happy faces are the most beautiful faces. Those smiles made my day.


295 posted on 07/27/2004 5:02:59 PM PDT by Lady Jag (Used to be sciencediet (aka Tad Rad) but found the solution)
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To: Radix; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Apparently this was also discussed on a Sports Radio station in Boston.


296 posted on 07/27/2004 5:25:34 PM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

He continues to hit new lows, that's for sure!


297 posted on 07/27/2004 5:27:03 PM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: tomkow6

Oh hey - wht not! 300??


298 posted on 07/27/2004 5:29:37 PM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: tomkow6

Oh hey - wht not! 300??


299 posted on 07/27/2004 5:29:38 PM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: StarCMC

Now?


300 posted on 07/27/2004 5:30:03 PM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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