This present book is an attempt to trace the art of warfare from Vasistha's Dhanurveda Samhita focusing on various types of weapons, army formation, use of medicine and charms and the ethics of war. In this journey the Epics, the Manusamhita, the Arthaśāstra, the Nitisastra and the Puranas are also taken into account. The appendix describing the creation of asi (sword), guerrilla warfare, fortification and espionage added a special dimension. It is hoped that the effort will be well rewarded by the enthusiastic response of esteemed readers.
Madhumita Datta is presently an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Behala College, Kolkata. She has obtained her Ph.D. from Jadavpur University and Post-Doctoral Research from Centre for Indological Studies and Research, The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark. Her areas of research and interest include Indology, Psychology and Logic. She has published many books and several articles in books and journals.
Warfare has been of special interest to me since I heard about Dhanurveda in a lecture delivered in our Refresher Course. To me, war indeed, is a splendor. In war, people sacrifice themselves for others or sometimes destroy everything for their own selfish ends. Apart from physical prowess, the construction and usage of ancient weapons attracted my attention most. So when the opportunity came for Post-doctoral Research Work, I did not hesitate for a moment and opted Ancient Warfare as the topic. Although I focused on Dhanurveda I did not leave unturned the Epics and treatises like the Manusarhhitä, the Arthaśāstra, the Nitisastra and the Puranas.
I take the opportunity of expressing my appreciation and sincere gratitude to Late Professor Debabrata Sensarma, Professor, University of Kuruksetra and the visiting Professor, The Centre for Indological Studies and Research, The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark for his kindness and help on all occasions.
In course of compiling basic information for this research work, I have consulted a number of books, articles and various e-sources contributed by different learned scholars. I extend my gratitude to them.
I am also grateful to my teachers, colleagues and friends for their guidance and co-operation. I am especially thankful to my family members for their inspiration and moral support throughout my endeavour.
Since life came into existence, conflicts became an intrinsic part of it.Right through the ages, human life aims at two things abhyudaya (material progress) and nihsreyasa (spiritual progress). At first he fought against another individual, then one group fought against another group. Still later a state against another state. Therefore, to gain peace and maintain material things, war is inevitable.
War consists of the culmination of moral, intellectual and physical excellence. Apart from physical prowess, a good soldier needs sharp mental faculties to evaluate the potentialities of rapidly changing situations. War demands from the individual an over-riding sense of duty, loyalty, the capacity to rise above the self and the alacrity to sacrifice life. No aspect of life appears unturned in the phenomenon of war. In fact, war influences society- its moral values, social fabric, scientific development and material well-being.
Ancient Indian political thinkers considered war as an extension of politics, a fall out of inter-state relations. They held that four cardinal principles, namely, sāma (conciliation), dana (gift), danda (punishment) and bheda (discord) should determine the foreign policy of the state. Sukranīti, advices that the policy of sama should be applied first, in the event of its failure the principle of dana should be applied and the policy of danda needs application only when the existence of state is threatened.
"
Hindu (935)
Agriculture (118)
Ancient (1086)
Archaeology (753)
Architecture (563)
Art & Culture (910)
Biography (702)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (565)
Islam (242)
Jainism (307)
Literary (896)
Mahatma Gandhi (372)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist