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FReeper Canteen ~ Part IV of War in Ancient India ~ August 3, 2004
A Tribute to Hindusim ^ | August 3, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 08/02/2004 8:02:50 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca

 
 

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part IV: War in Ancient India

 
Bow and Arrow:

In the words of H. H. Wilson: "the Hindus cultivated archery most assiduously and were very Parthians in the use of the bow on horse-back." One feature of this weapon was that it could be handled by all the four classes of warriors. 

Frescos on the Angkor Wat depict scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, showing Kshatriyas engaged in war. For more refer to chapter on Suvarnabhumi: Greater India

Other Weapons: 

The Bindipala and the nine following are minor weapons of this class. Probably this was a heavy club which had a broad and bent tail end, measuring one cubit in length. It was to be used with the left foot of the warrior placed in front. The various uses of this weapon were cutting, hitting, striking and breaking. It was like a kunta but with a big blade. It was used by the Asuras in their fight with Kartavirya Arjuna.

The Nalika is a hand gun or musket rightly piercing the mark. It was straight in form and hollow inside. It discharged darts if ignited. As has been already said, Sukracarya speaks of two kinds of nalika, one big and the other small. The small one, with a little hole at the end, measured sixty angulas  (ie. distance between the thumb and the little finger) dotted with several spots at the muzzle end. Through the touch hole or at its breach which contained wood, fire was conveyed to the charge. It was generally used by foot-soldiers. But the big gun had no wood at the breach and was so heavy that it had to be conveyed in carts. The balls were made of iron, lead or other material. Kamandaka uses the word nalika in the sense of firing gun as a signal for the unwary king. Again in the Naisadha, a work of the medieval period, Damayanti is compared to the two bows of the god of love and goddess of love, and her two nostrils to the two guns capable of throwing balls.

Thus there is clear evidence of the existence and use of firing guns in India in very early times. 

The Cakra, the next weapon in the category, is a circular disc with a small opening in the middle. It was of three kinds of eight, six and four spokes. It was used in five or six ways. It resembled the quoid of the Sikhs today. Lord Vishnu is popularly addressed as Sankha-cakra-gada-pani, that is having Sankha or conch, Cakra or disc, and Gada or mace in three of his four hands.The various uses of a disc were felling, whirling, rending, breaking, severing, and cutting. It is one of the instruments peculiar to Lord Vishnu. Kautalya speaks of it as a movable machine. The Cakra belongs to the category of a missile. According to the Vamanapurana, the Cakra has lustrous and sharp edges. 

The Tomara is another weapon of war frequently mentioned in all kinds of warfare. It was of two kinds, an iron club (sarvayasam) and a javelin. . According to the Agni Purana it was to be with the help of an arrow of straight feathers, and was powerful in dealing blows to the eyes and hands of an enemy. 



The Dantakanta, is another weapon of war, perhaps the shape of a tooth, made of metal, of strong handle and a straight blade. It had two movements. 

The Pasa, which is a noose killing the enemy at one stroke, of two or tree ropes used as a weapon attributed to the god Varuna. It was triangular in shape and embellished with balls of lead. It was associated with three kinds of movements. In the Agni Purana are described eleven ways of turning it to one's own advantage by dexterity of hand. 

The Masundi, was probably an eight sided cudgel. It was furnished with a broad and strong handle. It apparently comes from the root-meaning to cleave or break into pieces, and perhaps akin to the Musala. 

All these and more found used in one battle or another both in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. 

Next Tuesday: Part V of War in Ancient India





TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientwarfare; canteen; freepercanteen; india; war; weapons
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To: armyboy

armyboy!!! #350!!!

361 posted on 08/03/2004 12:56:35 PM PDT by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: Quix

Welcome, Quix, to the Canteen. Good to see you this afternoon.


362 posted on 08/03/2004 1:04:17 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Fawnn

Prayers sent for Braden's cousin and Braden.


363 posted on 08/03/2004 1:09:23 PM PDT by WV Mountain Mama (When are we going to pave the Arab Street? Although is should be properly level before doing so.)
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To: laurenmarlowe

Good afternoon, Lauren....it's lunchtime!! Is it hot in Texas?


364 posted on 08/03/2004 1:11:14 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: E.G.C.
Good afternoon, E! ((HUGS)) Beautiful, sunny day today. Having fun with your company?


365 posted on 08/03/2004 1:13:29 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: armyboy

Hi Geoff.....#350!!


366 posted on 08/03/2004 1:16:41 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Our company went back to Georiga. We had a great time. It's really hot here in SW OK. Almost 100.


367 posted on 08/03/2004 1:29:47 PM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: tomkow6

Angel Boy.....#100, #150, #250, #300!!


368 posted on 08/03/2004 1:31:15 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: beachn4fun

beachie.....#50 and #200!! Good job!


369 posted on 08/03/2004 1:32:53 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Darksheare

370 posted on 08/03/2004 1:35:38 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Fawnn; trussell
Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks for each precious little one ... each a special gift from You and each with a special ministry. Such is Braden, filled with compassion far beyond his two years. As his hair falls to the ground to echo that of his cousin, may You gather it up as prayer for healing ... and as Braden's beautiful hair begins to grow again, may it be the same for his cousin ... renewed growth because of renewed strength. Turn this strength into a complete restoration to health, Merciful Father, and may the years granted unto each of these young boys be so lived that they bring honor and glory to You. Bless their parents and all those who have nurtured Braden and his cousin, for surely Your hand is upon these little ones. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...
371 posted on 08/03/2004 1:40:36 PM PDT by Pegita ('Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word ...)
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To: Fawnn

Prayers sent for Braden's cousin's battle and defeat of leukemia.


372 posted on 08/03/2004 1:40:44 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: stand watie

GA, sw and duckie. Keep healing well.


373 posted on 08/03/2004 1:42:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

THANKS.


374 posted on 08/03/2004 1:42:46 PM PDT by Quix (PRAYER WARRIORS, DO YOUR STUFF! LIVES, SOULS AND NATIONS DEPEND ON IT)
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To: TXBSAFH

Thanks, TXBSAFH, for adding your prayers for these little boys.


375 posted on 08/03/2004 1:44:06 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Conspiracy Guy
Hi, CG.
376 posted on 08/03/2004 1:45:28 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC; tomkow6; stand watie; trussell; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; TXBSAFH; ...

Thank you for your prayers and concern.


377 posted on 08/03/2004 1:47:13 PM PDT by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: WV Mountain Mama

Welcome, WV Mountain Mama, to the Canteen.


378 posted on 08/03/2004 1:47:13 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: Fawnn

Prayers on the way for Braden's cousin and the entire family.


379 posted on 08/03/2004 1:47:48 PM PDT by austingirl
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To: StarCMC; bentfeather; tomkow6; All

Race you to the mailbox: Braecie Donathan of McAlester, Okla., always wanted an outdoor pool. Now she's got one.

Angel Boy.....this would be easy for you.

380 posted on 08/03/2004 1:48:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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