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FReeper Canteen ~ Part XIII of War in Ancient India ~ October 5, 2004
A Tribute to Hinduism ^ | October 5, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 10/04/2004 7:57:07 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca

 
 

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part XIII: War in Ancient India

 
The foregoing survey may convince an impartial student of history that the ancient Hindus had evolved precepts on fair fighting which formed a chivalrous code of military honor. 

On the whole, however, it would seem that wars in ancient India were characterized by less violence and savagery than wars elsewhere. There is no recorded instance of such wanton and cold-blooded atrocity as Athens perpetrated against Melos, Corcyra and Mytilene, or the wearers of the Cross against the defenders of the Crescent in 1099 A.D. Such incidents of war as the indiscriminate slaughter of all men of military age or the enslavement of women and children of the conquered state were hardly known.  On the whole, the chiefs were considerate of each other's rights. 

This was also the Kautilyan ideal of dharmavijayan, and the typical Hindu method of creating unity out of diversity in the political sphere. It was a well-established maxim of statecraft that a victor should acquiesce in the continuance of the laws, beliefs and customs of the vanquished peoples, and that instead of seeking to extermination of the defeated dynasties, he should be content with submission and tribute. It is also the reason why some of the princely families in India can boast of an ancestry unequalled by any royal house in Europe. 

It is of paramount importance to remember that in India the social, economic and religious life of the people pursued their course irrespective of the activities of the state. As early as as the 4th century B.C. Megasthenes noticed a peculiar trait of Indian warfare. 

"Whereas among other nations it is usual in the contests of war to ravage the soil, and thus to reduce it to an uncultivated waste, among the Indians, on the contrary, by whom husbandmen, the tillers of the soil, even if battle is raging in the neighborhood, are undisturbed by any sense of danger, for the combatants on either side, in waging the conflict, make carnage of each other but allow those engaged in husbandry to remain quite unmolested. Besides they never ravage an enemy's land with fire nor cut down its trees." The modern "scorched earth" policy was then unknown. 

Professor H. H. Wilson says: "The Hindu laws of war are very chivalrous and humane, and prohibit the slaying of the unarmed, of women, of the old, and of the conquered."

At the very time when a battle was going on, be says, the neighboring cultivators might be seen quietly pursuing their work, - " perhaps ploughing, gathering for crops, pruning the trees, or reaping the harvest." Chinese pilgrim to Nalanda University, Hiuen Tsiang affirms that although there were enough of rivalries and wars in the 7th century A.D. the country at large was little injured by them. 

Colonel James Tod, author of  Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan: or the Central and Western Rajput States of India South Asia Books; ; 2 edition (April 1998) ISBN 8120803809 wrote: "To spare a prostrate foe is the creed of the Hindu cavalier, and he carried all such maxims to excess."

What were the causes which led to the downfall of the Hindus? Why did the Indian states fall prey to the Muhammadan Turks in the 11th and 12th century?

King Asoka wanted to convert his empire into an open-air Buddhist monastery, at the expense of Hindu taxpayers whose interests in turn were marginalized. Buddhist principles derided martial prowess and criminally neglected the intrepidity and valor which fought for national independence. The excessive propaganda for unrestricted ahimsa which  King Asoka carried on by his use of political authority throughout his empire, cut at the very root of the Indian empire. 

For a few generations following Ashoka's demise, 'non-violent' Buddhists ate into the vitals of India's external defence, leaving the country vulnerable to a second wave of Greek attacks. 

According to Priyadarshi Dutta

"
The Greeks, who had concluded a treaty with Chandra-gupta Maurya, moved in to Ayodha before the Kalinga King Kharvela repulsed them. Later Pushyamita Sunga assassinated the last Maurya King and salvaged India. Buddhism vanished from India as a result of Muslim onslaught because none of them had the liver of the likes of say, Guru Govind Singh. While Hindus and Sikhs resisted Muslim onslaught, Buddhist submitted en mass to Islam." 

The Hindu defenders of the country although fully equal to their assailants in courage and contempt of death were nevertheless, divided among themselves. This division and disunion also enabled the crafty Turk invaders from the north to exploit the differences within the country. Hindus were more civilized and prosperous than the Turks. Moreover, the Turks had rude rigor of a semi-civilized barbarians who combined the fierce religious zeal of neo-converts. To spread their faith by conquest doubled their natural zest for battle and endowed them with the devoted valor of martyrs. In addition, the concept of ahimsa tended to create in certain sections of Hindus a deep abhorrence to all forms of violence. 

The Bhagavad Gita's great message: that violence is sometimes necessary, if it flows from Dharma.

Non-violence in thought, word and deed is the ideal of the yogi, as the Gita points out. Violence is never an ideal in a civilized society, but it cannot be avoided. Rulers of society have to employ it for their preservation. Even this terrible action can be performed as selfless service when lawless societies (eg. Muhammadan Turks or Europeans who came to India as invaders) prey upon others out of greed.

The Bhagavad Gita's great message: that violence is sometimes necessary, if it flows from Dharma

For a warrior, nothing is higher than a war
against evil.
The warrior confronted with such a war should be pleased, Arjuna, for it comes as an open gate to heaven.
But if you do not participate in this battle against evil, you will incur sin, violating your dharma and your honor....


- Bhagavad Gita 2.31-33


Books used for this chapter

War in Ancient India - By V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar  
'Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History' - By Veer Vinayak Damador Savarkar 
German Indologists: Biographies of Scholars in Indian Studies writing in German - By Valentine Stache-Rosen.
Sword of Truth: Indian Marine Archaeology and its Historical Context - By Dr. Vijay Bedekar
The Art of War in Ancient India - By P. C. Chakravarti
Re-inventing a political Buddha - By Priyadarshi Dutta
Hindu America: revealing the story of the romance of the Surya Vanshi Hindus and depicting the imprints of Hindu culture on the two Americas - By Chaman Lal with foreword by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. 3d ed. (LC History-America-E) 1966).

 

Next Tuesday, Part XIV of War in Ancient India






TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientindia; ancientwarfare; canteen; freepercanteen; hindu; hinduism; india
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To: BykrBayb
They always say the best work out is the one that you don't want to go and do... ( does that help.. No? I didn't think so.) Well here is another way to think about it.. remember when your Billy was little and you couldn't get out of the house? You probably thought going for a work out would be fun! So go for me.. because I am stuck at home with two little guys. ( Did that one work.. No? Oh heck!) I don't blame you! I wouldn't want to go either!!!
381 posted on 10/05/2004 5:31:09 PM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross
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To: StarCMC
That's Ok.. you can always blame it on the pregnancy hormones!!! Use it while you can is what I say!!! Don't forget... FEET UP!! I would like a report later!
382 posted on 10/05/2004 5:32:56 PM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross
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To: Diva Betsy Ross

I started going to work out shortly before hubby's heart attack. I didn't want to go, but I knew I needed it. It was a blessing in disguise. I got my strength up just in time to take care of hubby, and boy, I needed it! I'd have never been able to lift him before. I guess God knew what he was doing when he sent me to Curves. That was completely out of character for me. Going to the gym is kinda like driving a minivan with a soccer ball sticker on the back. Blech!


383 posted on 10/05/2004 5:41:04 PM PDT by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Diva Betsy Ross

Will this do?


384 posted on 10/05/2004 6:17:53 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: MinuteGal

Welcome home, Hospital Corpsman Jon, and thank you for your service to America. And thanks also, to your Mom, Wanda, for her service as a Navy family.


385 posted on 10/05/2004 6:34:39 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: MinuteGal
"We join with Wanda in welcoming home her brave (and good-lookin') son. They are part of our freeper extended family. We salute them both for their service and sacrifices for our country, each in his and her special way. WELCOME HOME FROM IRAQ, JON"

DITTOS!!! Welcome home - and thanks for your service, Jon!

386 posted on 10/05/2004 6:47:33 PM PDT by Matchett-PI (All DemocRATS are either religious relativists, libertines or anarchists.)
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To: bentfeather; Fawnn; Kathy in Alaska; tomkow6; Old Sarge; Diva Betsy Ross; MoJo2001; Spotsy; All

Anyone here???


387 posted on 10/05/2004 8:04:25 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

Yupper, real slow.


388 posted on 10/05/2004 8:05:28 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poetry is my forte.~)
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To: StarCMC; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; MoJo2001; Kathy in Alaska

I'm attempting to post Pancakes, but FR is soooo sloooow.
It just booted me off as I hit post. LOL!

Going to try again . . .


389 posted on 10/05/2004 8:09:29 PM PDT by Spotsy (anger, pessimism, and self-doubt are not an agenda for the future)
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To: bentfeather; Spotsy

Very slow - the live thread for the debate was out of control!! By the time you hit reply and then got your post up there were (literally) over 50 new posts!!! That probably slows the site a bit, eh?


390 posted on 10/05/2004 8:13:06 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: Spotsy

10-4!


391 posted on 10/05/2004 8:13:35 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (MAKE SURE YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED AND VOTE Nov 2nd!)
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To: StarCMC

.....only the silly & the pregnant....


392 posted on 10/05/2004 8:14:42 PM PDT by tomkow6 (~BEANS make me forte~)
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To: StarCMC

Yupper I stayed away from it. lurked fora bit there but just could not keep up.


393 posted on 10/05/2004 8:15:01 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poetry is my forte.~)
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To: tomkow6

LOL!! That's a scary combination...we could get in lots of trouble!! He he he!


394 posted on 10/05/2004 8:16:09 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: bentfeather

Same here!


395 posted on 10/05/2004 8:16:51 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; Spotsy

Should we trash the Canteen before Spotsy posts tomorrow's thread???


396 posted on 10/05/2004 8:17:35 PM PDT by tomkow6 (~BEANS make me forte~)
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To: StarCMC

Star go to the top of the page and follow instructions it's better now.


397 posted on 10/05/2004 8:17:51 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poetry is my forte.~)
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To: tomkow6

MINE?


398 posted on 10/05/2004 8:18:03 PM PDT by tomkow6 (~BEANS make me forte~)
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To: tomkow6

MINE?


399 posted on 10/05/2004 8:18:04 PM PDT by tomkow6 (~BEANS make me forte~)
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To: tomkow6

MINE?


400 posted on 10/05/2004 8:18:04 PM PDT by tomkow6 (~BEANS make me forte~)
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