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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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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: bentfeather; HopeandGlory; StarCMC; Old Sarge; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; All
Good night everybody. I'm off to Tuesday Night at the Zoo. Tonight is Animal Training, and a champion musher, Martin Buser, is the speaker.

You'll probably all be in bed when I get home. Have fun tonight.

361 posted on 07/27/2004 7:43:25 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Yes ma'am!


362 posted on 07/27/2004 7:45:52 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
As subtle as a shin-kick, Star! LOL!


Shall we?


363 posted on 07/27/2004 7:46:24 PM PDT by Old Sarge
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good night Ms. Kathy!


364 posted on 07/27/2004 7:46:34 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: HopeandGlory
{{{{{ HOPE! }}}}}

How does your garden grow?


365 posted on 07/27/2004 7:47:42 PM PDT by Old Sarge
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To: Old Sarge

Hey! I never claimed to be genteel -- more like that bull in a China shop! :o)


366 posted on 07/27/2004 7:47:46 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: Old Sarge; MS.BEHAVIN
Of course I can't do any dancing until Aunt Bea Ms.B lests me out of the corner....
367 posted on 07/27/2004 7:49:49 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

No dancing for YOU tonight, Missy!!!
You stay put!!
Ms.B


368 posted on 07/27/2004 7:53:29 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
I am puking here...

Teresa said..."He got his medals the old fashined way, by putting his life on the line for his country....and he will always, always be first in the line of fire....He knows the importance of getting it right...the names of friends inscibed on the Vietnam Memorial, that cold stone, know the awful toil toll maybe?? exacted by leaders who mistake stubborness for strength."

Anybody got any Pepto Bismol? I think I need the WHOLE BOTTLE!!

369 posted on 07/27/2004 7:54:31 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

I can take a hint :)


370 posted on 07/27/2004 7:54:56 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks." - Sir Winston Churchill)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Yes, ma'am!


371 posted on 07/27/2004 7:55:10 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: Colonel_Flagg; MS.BEHAVIN

Woo-hoo!! 2 for 2!! Got you AND Sarge here! Ah! The power of the ping! LOL!!

But I can't dance now 'cause Ms.B put me in the corner...

I'll just play ya some music. You have a genre preference??


372 posted on 07/27/2004 7:56:50 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: Old Sarge
Hello Sweetpea . . . It's doing pretty good . . . I still have some tomatoes, peppers. eggplant and of course the Grapes . . . .soon I'll be planting the fall tomatoes . . .in August to be exact and then after that all of the Cole crops . . . broccoli, cabbage and cauliflour . . . etc: . . . etc:


373 posted on 07/27/2004 7:58:56 PM PDT by HopeandGlory (Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
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To: StarCMC

That's a great tune, Star .. going to get the CD soon.


374 posted on 07/27/2004 7:59:54 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks." - Sir Winston Churchill)
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To: StarCMC

I'm going to bed now...
You can play music but no dancing!!
Ya hear??
I'll check in with Ma, so be good!!!!
Good night!
MS.B!!!!!


375 posted on 07/27/2004 8:00:30 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

Presently grooving to Los Lonely Boys. :)


376 posted on 07/27/2004 8:03:43 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks." - Sir Winston Churchill)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Night MS.B. rest well and thanks for being here for our troops.


377 posted on 07/27/2004 8:04:21 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: HopeandGlory

Hi to you!


378 posted on 07/27/2004 8:04:28 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg ("I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks." - Sir Winston Churchill)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Ok, I'll try to be good. Of course, Ma ain't here either, so..... HE he he!!


379 posted on 07/27/2004 8:10:15 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: Colonel_Flagg

I've seen this video on CMT a lot, but haven't heard it hit the radio yet. I really like it -- sort of has a Santana flavor or something...


380 posted on 07/27/2004 8:11:31 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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