FReeper Canteen ~ Part IV of War in Ancient India ~ August 3, 2004

A Tribute to Hindusim ^ | August 3, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[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

[beachn4fun]

I'm always curious as to why there are so many miles of beach-technically speaking-in my city, and yet so few surfers.

It must be a California state of mind. As you can see, I enjoy being on the beach and care nothing for surfing. I can be mellow without surfing! See, I AM mellow! LOL

[beachn4fun]

Auntie Fawnn. Will you please freepmail me the name of Braden's cousin. I always like to have a name when I ask the Lord for a favor! And, Braden is an awesome kid to make the sacrifice.

[Conspiracy Guy]

We raised over $3000 and he only accepted $1000 and told us to use the rest for someone in need. His aunt had tricked him into being on the show under the pretext only of talking about his time in Iraq. He was a nice young man and made me feel more secure about the future of America. He turned out very well for someone raised by their dad and an aunt.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Wow!

A mellow redhead.

Will wonders never cease?

[beachn4fun]

LOL. Dont' be fooled. I change my hair color as often as my attitude! ;->

[The Scourge of Yazid]

I guess that's one of the fringe benefits of all this newfangled technology, huh?

[Old Sarge]

Do You Realize What You've Done?

[The Scourge of Yazid]

OH NO! CAT'S EYE!

Well, I think that this calls for unleashing the "dogs of war."

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani:

THAT IS NOT HA'LAL! I declare a fatwa against your dogs! May they die like the Zionist scum that they are!

[WV Mountain Mama]

Thanks for the welcome. I have read it a couple of times and sometimes I feel like I am eaves dropping on something because everyone knows everyone and some of the conversations. I know that it is a very special thread for everyone who participates and reads it. I rarely miss a prayer ping though. :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Still catching up, Ms Pooh. Gifts, huh? How sweet. You must always have to watch where you are stepping. Thank you, Daisy. Hehehe.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Ms Pooh......#600!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

D2, I'm just now catching up....still working REALLY hard? Thanks for helping protect America.

[Defender2]

Yeah still putting in long and wierd hours, HUGS, D2

[Kathy in Alaska]

Excellent!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

((HUGS)) back at ya. And thanks, D2, for being there.

[Conspiracy Guy]

; )

[Darksheare]

I got booted offline yesterday!
*aaaaaaugh!*

[StarCMC]

And what did you do to deserve that?? LOL!!! (Maybe the gods were protecting me from your story! He he he!)

[smaagee]

I have some pics for you of the children getting your goodies. we are having some connection problems here so I will get them posted as soon as possible. Thanks again, and you will love the pics.
Steve

[Kathy in Alaska]

Neat. Stuffed animals going this weekend. Specific requests taken. Crayons waiting for cooler weather.