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FReeper Canteen ~ Part VII of War in Ancient India ~ August 24, 2004
a Tribute to Hinduism ^ | August 24, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 08/23/2004 8:00:35 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca

 
 

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VII: War in Ancient India

 
Martial Arts - Fighting without weapons

"Fighting without weapons was a specialty of the Ksatreya (caste of Ancient India)and foot soldier alike. For the Ksatreya it was simply part and parcel of their all around training, but for the lowly peasant it was essential. We read in the Vedas of men unable to afford armor who bound their heads with turbans called Usnisa to protect themselves from sword and axe blows.

"Fighting on foot for a Ksatreya was necessary in case he was unseated from his chariot or horse and found himself without weapons. Although the high ethical code of the Ksatreya forbid anyone but another Ksatreya from attacking him, doubtless such morals were not always observed, and when faced with an unscrupulous opponent, the Ksatreya needed to be able to defend himself, and developed, therefore, a very effective form of hand-to-hand combat that combined techniques of wrestling, throws, and hand strikes. Tactics and evasion were formulated that were later passed on to successive generations. This skill was called Vajramukhti, a name meaning "thunderbolt closed - or clasped - hands." The tile Vajramukti referred to the usage of the hands in a manner as powerful as the vajra maces of traditional warfare. Vajramukti was practiced in peacetime by means of regular physical training sessions and these utilized sequences of attack and defense technically termed in Sanskrit nata."  

Kalaripayattu, literally “the way of the battlefield,” still survives in Kerala, where it is often dedicated to Mahakali. The Kalari grounds are usually situated near a temple, and the pupils, after having touched the feet of the master, salute the ancestors and bow down to the Goddess, begin the lesson. Kalari trainings have been codified for over 3000 years and nothing much has changed. 

The warming up is essential and demands great suppleness. Each movement is repeated several times, facing north, east, south and west, till perfect loosening is achieved. The young pupils pass on to the handling of weapons, starting with the “Silambam”, a short stick  made of extremely hard wood, which in the olden times could effectively deal with swords. The blows are hard and the parade must be fast and precise, to avoid being hit on the fingers! They continue with the swords, heavy, and dangerous, even though they are not sharpened any more, as they are used. Without guard or any kind of body protection; they whirl, jump and parry, in an impressive ballet. Young, fearless girls fight with enormous knives, bigger than their arms and the clash of irons is echoed in the ground. The session ends with the big canes, favorite weapons of the Buddhist traveler monks, which they used during their long journey towards China to scare away attackers.   

The “Urimi” is the most extraordinary weapon of Kalari, unique in the world. This double-edged flexible sword which the old-time masters used to wrap around the waist to keep coiled in one hand, to suddenly whip at the opponent and inflict mortal blows, is hardly used today in trainings, for it is much too dangerous.

This indigenous martial arts, under the name of Kalari or Kalaripayit exists only in South India today. Kalarippayat is said to be the world's original martial art. Originating at least 1,300 years ago, India's Kalaripayit is the oldest martial art taught today. It is also the most potentially violent, because students advance from unarmed combat to the use of swords, sharpened flexible metal lashes, and peculiar three-bladed daggers. More than 2,000 years old, it was developed by warriors of the Cheras kingdom in Kerala. Training followed strict rituals and guidelines. The entrance to the 14 m-by-7 m arena, or kalari, faced east and had a bare earth floor. Fighters took Shiva and Shakti, the god and goddess of power, as their deities. From unarmed kicks and punches, kalarippayat warriors would graduate to sticks, swords, spears and daggers and study the marmas—the 107 vital spots on the human body where a blow can kill. Training was conducted in secret, the lethal warriors unleashed as a surprise weapon against the enemies of Cheras.

Father and founder of Zen Buddhism (called C’han in China), Boddidharma, a Brahmin born in Kacheepuram in Tamil Nadu, in 522 A.D. arrived at the courts of the Chinese Emperor Liang Nuti, of the 6th dynasty. He taught the Chinese monks Kalaripayattu, a very ancient Indian martial art, so that they could defend themselves against the frequent attacks of bandits. In time, the monks became famous all over China as experts in bare-handed fighting, later known as the Shaolin boxing art. The Shaolin temple which has been handed back a few years ago by the communist Government to the C’han Buddhist monks, inheritors of Boddhidharma’s spiritual and martial teachings, by the present Chinese Government, is now open to visitors. On one of the walls, a fresco can be seen, showing Indian dark-skinned monks, teaching their lighter-skinned Chinese brothers the art of bare-handed fighting. On this painting are inscribed: “Tenjiku Naranokaku” which means: “the fighting techniques to train the body (which come) from India…”

Kalari payatt was banned by the British in 1793.  (Refer to chapter on European Imperialism).

(For more information on martial arts refer to chapter India and China and Kalarippayattu and Kalari Payatte - The martial art of Kerala

(source: The Boddhisattva Warriors: The Origin, Inner Philosophy, History and Symbolism of the Buddhist Martial Art Within India and China - By Terence Dukes/ Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio  p. 3 - 158-174 and 242. A Western Journalist on India: a ferengi's columns - By Francois Gautier Har-Anand Publications January 2001  ISBN 8124107955 p. 155-158).

Silambam – Indian Stick Fighting

     

The art Nillaikalakki Silambam was brought to the royal court during the reign of the Cheran, Cholan and Pandian emperors, once powerful rulers of India.  

The art Nillaikalakki Silambam, which exists for more than five thousand years, is an authentic art which starts with the stick called Silambamboo (1.68 meters long). It originates from the Krunji mountains of south India, and is as old as the Indian sub-continent itself.

The natives called Narikuravar were using a staff called Silambamboo as a weapon to defend themselves against wild animals, and also to display their skill during their religious festivals. The Hindu scholars and yogis who went to the Krunji mountains to meditate got attracted by the display of this highly skilled spinning Silambamboo. The art Nillaikalakki Silambam therefore became a part of the Hindu scholars and yogis training, as they were taught by the Narikuravar. 

They brought the art to the royal court during the reign of the Cheran, Cholan and Pandian emperors, once powerful rulers of India.

(source: Silamban – Indian Stick Fighting).

Next Tuesday, Part VIII of War in Ancient India






TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientindia; canteen; freepercanteen; india; martialarts; warfare
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To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Kathy in Alaska; Fawnn; MoJo2001; bentfeather; beachn4fun; ...
Good Morning Canteen FReepers! Just finished PT and the Tuesday history lesson. In dire need of coffee...


161 posted on 08/24/2004 7:34:00 AM PDT by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: Old Sarge

Send help! An elf turned into a cave-troll!


162 posted on 08/24/2004 7:34:02 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (Liberals in the open...adjust fire...over!!!!)
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To: StarCMC
i'd LOVE to have 6 weeks off from my job, but NOT for that reason!

BUT i'm still fascinated with how badly she wanted to get back to her desk.

can you say WORKAHOLIC, children? SURE you can!

free dixie,sw

163 posted on 08/24/2004 7:34:51 AM PDT by stand watie (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. -T. Jefferson)
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To: darkwing104

Morning DW!


164 posted on 08/24/2004 7:35:26 AM 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: Arrowhead1952

When they asked me if I wanted a Battalion Review for my retirement I said "&^%$ that, give the troops the day off!" For some reason the Bn Cdr had no sense of humor.


165 posted on 08/24/2004 7:36:19 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (Liberals in the open...adjust fire...over!!!!)
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To: StarCMC

Good Morning FReeper Canteen!!


166 posted on 08/24/2004 7:36:26 AM PDT by armyboy (Posting from Ft. Livingroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! soon I'll be depoyed at Camp Refrigerator)
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To: USVet6792Retired
"&^%$ that, give the troops the day off!" For some reason the Bn Cdr had no sense of humor.

Good idea. Too bad the Bn Cdr was not for your idea of letting the troops off. We did get 1/2 day off after the Change of Colors.

167 posted on 08/24/2004 7:41:23 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (kerry and the RATs can't stand facts or truth.)
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To: bentfeather
Oh, aren't you ADORABLE!!

Ready for class? Charms and Potions in a few minuntes...

168 posted on 08/24/2004 7:41:44 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: LaDivaLoca

Today's classic warship, USS Galena

Ironclad screw steamer

Tonnage. 738
Lenght. 210'
Beam. 36'
Draft. 12' 8"
Speed. 8 k.
Complement. 164
Armament. 4 9", 2 100pdrs

The USS GALENA was launched 14 February 1862 by C. S. and H. L. Bushnell, Mystic, Conn., and commissioned 21 April 1862, Comdr. Alfred Taylor in command.

GALENA, one of the first three ironclads, each of a different design, built by the Union Navy during the Civil War, was towed from New York to arrive off Fortress Monroe, Va., 24 April and join Flag Offlcer L. M. Goldsborough's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Comdr. John Rodgers relieved Comdr. Taylor the same day.

GALENA cleared her decks for aotion 4 and 7 May when dreaded Confederate ironclad VIRGINIA briefly appeared. On 8 May GALENA stood up the James River with gunboats PORT ROYAL and AROOSTOOK in an attempt to reach Richmond and compel its surrender. They silenced an 11-gun Confederate battery at Rock Wharf that morning; and in the early afternoon, stoutly engaged a 12-gun battery on Mother Tynes' Bluff silencing all but one of the Confederate guns. GALENA engaged this remaining gun until the two gunboats had safely passed and left then with the Confederate battery in flames.

After the feared VIRGINIA was destroyed, MONITOR and NAUGATUCK joined the expedition at James Island on 12 May and on the 13th the force steamed across Harrison's Bar to City Point, where GALENA stopped two steamers for evidence of contraband. She opened fire the following morning to scatter Confederate sharpshooters waiting in ambush along the river banks. On 15 May she stood up river leading the expedition to Drewry's Bluff, about 8 miles from Richmond. GALENA was hit twice as she swung to bear her broadside guns on a Confederate battery. She nearly silenced the battery before her shells were expended, but then the Confederate guns opened upon her with terrible effect. Numerous hits perforated her iron-clad sides with 12 killed and 15 wounded.

She returned down river to City Point. The following days were spent in shelling Confederate soldiers along the river banks and destroying City Point buildings in which Confederates were entrenched. On 27 June 1862 GALENA bombarded City Point while two boats went ashore with a landing force which set fire to the depots. That same day General McClellan came on board GALENA to make a reconnaissance for the position of a new camp which was subsequently established near Harrison's Landing. On 30 June 1862 Major General McClellan was compelled to withdraw down the James and escaped disaster through naval gunfire support and transportation.

On 6 July 1862 Commodore Charles Wilkes was ordered to command the James River Flotilla, GALENA included as an independent division of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. With gunboats of the flotilla, GALENA afforded protection to the daily movement of Army transports and supply ships along the James River from Harrison's Bay to the mouth of the Chickahominy, giving the indispensable protection that left the Confederate troops without ability to move effectively against McClellan's Army of the Potomac along the James River.

GALENA was detached from the James River Flotilla in September 1862 and assigned picket duty at Hampton Roads and Newport News until 21 May 1863 when she arrived at Philadelphia and was decommissioned for repairs. Her ineffective iron plating which had been so badly shattered in the action at Drewry's Bluff was stripped off; and she was overhauled to operate as a wooden-hulled ship.

Recommissioned 15 February 1864, GALENA stood down the river on the 18th for the Gulf of Mexico. Becoming icebound at New Castle, Del., she was towed out to sea by an ice boat, then developed leaks which forced her to put in at Norfolk. She then proceeded to Baltimore for repairs. GALENA put to sea from Norfolk on 10 May and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron at Pensacola, Fla., on 20 May 1864 for blockade duty off Mobile, Ala., that included the shelling of Fort Morgan and firing upon various blockade runners near the fort.

GALENA was a unit of Admiral Farragut's fleet in the Battle of Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Passing through the narrow channel under heavy fire from Forts Morgan and Gaines, GALENA, lashed to the port side of ONEIDA, suffered seven hits and one man killed before she entered Mobile Bay for a gallant fleet action of about 3 hours that left 165 Union dead and 170 wounded while the Confederate losses were 12 killed and 20 wounded. Union monitor TECUMSEH was destroyed by torpedo in the channel and Confederate ram TENNESSEE and gunboat SELMA fell into Union hands. GALENA used her power to pass both herself and ONEIDA beyond range of the fort's fire when the latter had her starboard boiler put out of commission by a shell hit. Admiral Farragut wrote concerning the battle: "Notwithstanding the loss of life, particularly to this ship (HARTFORD), and the terrible disaster to the TECUMSEH, the result of the fight was a glorious victory, and I have reason to feel proud of the officers, seamen, and marines of the squadron under my command."

GALENA provided supporting bombardment for the capture of Fort Morgan on 23 August 1864 and departed Mobile Bay on the 31st to serve as a part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron out of Key West, Fla. She arrived in Philadelphia from her blockade station on 4 November 1864 and was decommissioned for repair on the 22d.

GALENA was recommissioned at Philadelphia on 29 March 1865 and reached Newport News, Va., 2 April to serve the North Atlantic Squadron as a picket and patrol ship at the mouth of the Nansemond River and in the James River until her departure 6 June for Portsmouth, N H. She was decommissioned there 17 June 1865 and remained inactive until recommissioned 9 April 1869 for movement to Hampton Roads, where she was placed out of commission 2 June. Condemned by survey in 1870, GALENA was broken up in 1872 at the Norfolk Navy Yard.


169 posted on 08/24/2004 7:41:49 AM PDT by aomagrat (Where arms are not to be carried, it is well to carry arms.")
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To: Arrowhead1952
The brigade's a maneuver unit, so there will be lots of preening combat arms types on the podium.

It's going down on Sept. 11th, so the weather shouldn't be too bad. Afterwards, the Home Detachment is taking in the Patton Museum.

170 posted on 08/24/2004 7:44:09 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: Valin; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 2LT Radix jr; Radix; LaDivaLoca; Severa; Bethbg79; southerngrit; ..

1780 King Louis XVI abolishes torture as a means to get suspects to confess


171 posted on 08/24/2004 7:48:13 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
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To: USVet6792Retired
You have a Cave-Troll!


172 posted on 08/24/2004 7:48:28 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: All
Click on a service emblem to send an online
Thank You to a service man or woman in any branch.


U.S. Arny U.S. Navy U.S. Marines U.S. Air Force U.S. Coast Guard
Army
Navy
Marines
Air Force
Coast
Guard

173 posted on 08/24/2004 7:48:43 AM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: StarCMC

I managed to clear six boxes this morning.....

Problem is we have TOO MUCH STUFF!

( and this house is a three bedroom with no basement or garage)

Caitlin is really happy, though. REally liking the "City Life", where you can go to the pool, order pizza and get it delivered, or walk to the ice-cream place.

Ah well. Go figure.


174 posted on 08/24/2004 7:52:05 AM PDT by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno-World!")
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To: Old Sarge; Kathy in Alaska; Spotsy

Kathy in Alaska!!! #50!!!
Spotsy!!! #100!!!
Old Sarge!!! #150!!!

175 posted on 08/24/2004 7:53:23 AM PDT by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
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To: stand watie
i can't recall talking to anyone EVER,who was as ready to go to WORK!

It makes a difference when it wasn't YOUR CHOICE that you not work. ;)
176 posted on 08/24/2004 7:54:36 AM PDT by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person - Faith makes things possible, not easy.)
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To: tomkow6

Good morning, Tomkow!

How's life treating you and the kitty-katz?


177 posted on 08/24/2004 7:55:21 AM PDT by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno-World!")
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To: Old Sarge

Potions and charms
a full moon, bubbling pots,
magic in the air
fireflies on the wing
night owls wont to sing
their songs of poetry
WHO WHO is there for me?

Wave your wand over seven seas
the glass eye shows a foggy image
in a land of wizards
talking trees
small folks they call gnomes
a night of lightning fills the air
and magic happens everywhere.

bentfeather

178 posted on 08/24/2004 7:55:32 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: darkwing104
Good morning, darkwing. Hope PT went well. I'm off to vote on the way to work. Thanks, darkwing, for helping protect this great country of ours.

Just in case it's time for another cup.....


179 posted on 08/24/2004 7:56:21 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: darkwing104
Darkwing, you earned at least 2 cups of Ma's great coffee:


180 posted on 08/24/2004 7:57:18 AM PDT by Spotsy (Let every Vietnam Veteran speak; they earned it)
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