FReeper Canteen ~ Part XV of War in Ancient India ~ October 19, 2004

A Tribute to Hinduism ^ | October 19, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part XV: War in Ancient India

U.S. adopts catamaran technology

Washington May 28. The United States adopted ancient Indian catamaran-making technology to construct fast ships which were used with dramatic effect in the Iraq war, says a media report.

Among the equipment the Americans used to win the Iraq war were 100-feet catamaran ships to ferry tanks and ammunition from Qatar to Kuwait.

The ships, built with technology adapted from ancient Tamil methods to make catamarans, can travel over 2,500 kms in less than 48 hours, twice the speed of the regular cargo ships, and carry enough equipment to support about 5,000 soldiers, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.

Having a shallow draft, the boats can unload in rudimentary ports, allowing troops to land closer to the fight. — PTI 

(source: U.S. adopts Indian Catamaran technology - hindu.com and tribune.com).

***

Sailing down the seas of history

Charting the coastline from Mumbai to the very end of Gujarat, where India ends and Pakistan begins, the 1,000 nautical mile voyage that will end on February 11 is in preparation for another, more ambitious voyage. The sailors, calling themselves the Maritime Exploration and Research Group, is getting ready to follow the path of ancient Indian mariners from south India all the way to Indonesia.

Inspired by the Chola kings of the 11th century, who discovered the present-day Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Bali, the group is preparing to replicate the feat using traditional instruments and a boat resembling the vessels of yore.

Called the Simulation of Chola Navigation Techniques, the forthcoming expedition will attempt to cover the distance between Nagapatnam in southern India and the Indonesian islands. "The expedition will aim to show that our ancient seafarers were in no way inferior to their Western counterparts," said B. Arunachalam, a researcher who is the moving spirit behind the expedition. The expedition has cost the team members nearly Rs.100,000 but they have received substantial assistance from the Indian Navy.

(source: Sailing down the seas of history - newindpress.com).

India defence looks to ancient text

Indian scientists are turning to an ancient Hindu text in their search for the secrets of effective stealth warfare.

They believe the book, the Arthashastra, written more than 2,300 years ago, will give Indian troops the edge on their enemies.

India's Defence Minister George Fernandes has approved funding for the project, and told parliament recently that experiments had begun. The research is being carried out by experts from the Defence Research and Development Organisation and scientists from the University of Pune and National Institute of Virology in western India. The book includes the recipe for a single meal that will keep a soldier fighting for a month, methods of inducing madness in the enemy as well as advice on chemical and biological warfare.

Powders and remedies

The book was written by military strategist Kautilya, also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupta, a prime minister in the court of India's first emperor Chandragupta Maurya, in the fourth century BC.

"All of us are excited about the possibilities and do not for a moment think that the idea is crazy," said Professor SV Bhavasar, a space scientist who has spent many years researching the Arthashastra.

"Decoding ancient texts is not an easy task but we are very hopeful of success," he added. According to a Pune University report, the book says that soldiers fed with a single meal of special herbs, milk and clarified butter can stay without food for an entire month.

Shoes made of camel skin smeared with a serum made from the flesh of owls and vultures can help soldiers walk hundreds of miles during a war without feeling tired. A powder made from fireflies and the eyes of wild boar can endow soldiers with night vision.  

(source: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan: or the Central and Western Rajput States of India - By Colonel James Tod).

Chemical warfare

Kautilya wrote in the Arthashastra that a ruler could use any means to attain his goal, and Book XIV touches on aspects of chemical and biological warfare.

The book says that smoke from burning a powder made from the skin and excreta of certain reptiles, animals and birds can cause madness and blindness in the enemy. The book also provides the formula to create a lethal smoke by burning certain species of snakes, insects and plant seeds in makeshift laboratories.

"Our focus at present is on how humans can control hunger for longer durations and walk for longer period without experiencing fatigue, Project leader Dr V S Ghole, head of the environmental engineering department of Pune university, said the team was now focusing on the methods of controlling hunger and increasing stamina.

"Once we have made some headway we will go into researching Kautilya's notes on night vision and other fields," he said. Professor S V Bhavasar said the team also had plans to research other ancient Hindu texts. These include manuscripts which "claim to provide secrets of manufacturing planes which can not be destroyed by any external force, could be motionless in the sky and even invisible to enemy planes." 

(source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1986000/1986595.stm).

Next Tuesday Part XVI: Conclusion of War in Ancient India

[LaDivaLoca]

 

 

 

We will begin "Operation Season's Greetings" to help bring the Holiday Festivities to our Troops. Stay tuned for more information! Thanks to Auntie Fawnn for the beautiful graphic!

 

*IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*

Beginning Friday, October 29th, we will begin running a 3 day Halloween thread. Mixed into the Halloween Thread will be music, entertainment, silliness, and everything that you expect from the Canteen Crew.

Also, the Sunday Guest Chaplain Thread will run as a separate thread on October 31st. With the election only two days away, we want to keep the Chaplain doors open for everyone!!

 

*IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR NOVEMBER 1st-3rd*

From November 1st through the 3rd, we will run an ongoing Canteen Favorites Thread. This is being done because of the expected high traffic that FR will be experiencing the day before, during, and after the election.

And we want the FR Canteen to be a safe haven for those that want to escape the political events of those days. So? If you need to take a breather, come visit the Troops and Canteen right here!!

Thank you!



 

 

 

[LaDivaLoca]

My apologies for the graphics - I'm having server problems!

*HUGS* to everyone!

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners . . . Counting down . . . 14 days to go.

Please God, Bless this Nation and Keep it Safe from Harm.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

[Lady Jag]

Always happens when you least need it to.

The Red Sox beat the Yankees tonight, that might be why.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Soaring Feather]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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[mylife]

Aye Aye Captain

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
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[Soaring Feather]

Awwwww thanks so much Tonkin, Canteen and Military men.

[Kitty Mittens]

Tonk, that is the most adorable picture! That doggie has the cutest look on his face! This picture cheered me up after a not-so-good day. Thank you, my friend!

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY AND THE CANTEEN!

[The Mayor]

October 19, 2004

A Good Day To Die?

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-18

It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life! —1 Kings 19:4

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

---

Hopelessness and anger combined to bring death to a young man in my neighborhood. Someone had beaten him up for something he said. To retaliate, he came back with a gun. The police were called. When they arrived he ran, shooting at them. To protect everyone, they shot him. He lost his life at age 21. Later it was reported that he had told a family member that morning: "Today would be a good day to die." I wonder what brought him to such despair.

There was a day when the prophet Elijah felt hopeless and wanted to die. He had just experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal, but now his life was being threatened by the king's wife Jezebel. In fear, he ran into the wilderness (1 Kings 19:4). There he "prayed that he might die, and said, 'It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life!'"

We may think that Elijah was overreacting, but hopeless feelings are real. He wisely went to the right source for help—he cried out to God. The Lord knew Elijah needed restoration, so He provided for his needs (vv.5-7). He revealed Himself to him (vv.9-13) and renewed Elijah's sense of purpose by giving him work to do (vv.15-17). God brought him hope by reminding him that he was not alone (v.18).

Look to God. He is your source of hope. —Anne Cetas

Lord, give us grace to trust You when
Life's burdens seem too much to bear;
Dispel the darkness with new hope
And help us rise above despair. —Sper

No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.

[StarCMC]

Diva - thank you for today's thread!! HUGS!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Rokke : Please stop by here when you get a chance.
Thank You for your service to our country.

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
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CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

[Blue Scourge]

Howdy all...just figured I'd poke my head in to say hey...

[laurenmarlowe]

Thank you for today's thread. God Bless our Troops!

God Bless that beautiful pooch!

[Spotsy]

Congratulations on casting your vote today Tonk!
I can't wait to do the same!