Warfare in Ancient India/ organizational and operational dimensions
Thapliyal, Uma Prasad
- New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, 2010.
- 431 p.
INTRODUCTION: INDIAN WARFARE: SOME DETERMINANTS Conceptual Framework; War Galore; Motivation; Just Wars; Pre-State War; Large Armies; The Affluence; Trade Factor; Neglected North-West; Geographical Syn drome; The Terrain; Fortification; Refusal to Learn 1. WARFARE IN ANCIENT INDIA: A SURVEY Chalcolithic Age, Vedic Age, Later Vedic Age; Epic References; Age of Mahajanapadasr, Persian Invasions; Invasion of Alexander; Nanda-Maurya Period; Satavahanas; Foreign Invasions; Gupta Period; Vakatakas; Hunas; Post-Gupta Period; Vardhanas; Post- Harsa Period; Pratiharas; Peninsular Wars [Pallavas; Calukyas; Rastrakutas; Colas; Pandyas; Ceras]; Puranic Wars; Points to Ponder 2. MILITARY ORGANIZATION Classification of Armies \Maula-bala\ Bhrtya-bala\ ^reni-bala\ Mitra-bala\ Dvisad-bala\ Atavl-bala\ Other Classifications; Mantra-bala\, Caste System and Mili tary Service; Evolution of Arms; Functions of Arms; Development of Various Arms [Infantry; Chariot Corps; Decline of Chariot; Elephant Corps; Cavalry; Treasury and Counsel; Navy; Air Arm]; The Logistics [Epic Descriptions; Maurya System; Gupta Age and After]; Army Formations: Vedic and Epic Times [Strength of Formations; Greek Accounts; Evidence of Arthnsaslra, Views of ^ukrawt/y. Command Structure; Scnapatj [Im portance; Consecration; Selection; Powers, Qualities and Privileges]; Other Ranks [Ranks in Arthasastra; Sukraniti; Nitiprakasikay Salaries of Soldiers [Vedic System; Epic Times; Arlliasaslra on Salaries; Views of Sukraniti", NItiprakasika\\ Pension; Defence Production [Early System; System in Arthasastra\ Greek Aceounlsj; Salutation; Women in Arms 3. CONDUCT OF WAR Kala Factor; Dcsa or Bhumi Factor; Svahahi Factor; ^atrubala¥acior\ MandalaFacior, UpayacauistayaiVonx Means) ySama\ Dana\ Bhcda\ Danda\ Maya\ Upeksa\ Indrajala\\ Danda as Last Option; Sadgunya (Six Mea sures) \Sandhi\ Vigraha\ Yana\ Asana\ Samsraya\ Dvaidhlhhavay, ^aktistrividha\ Rajaduta\ Sangraina-sajja [Vedic Soldier;-Epic Soldier; Maurya Soldier; Foreign Influence; Puranic Evidence]; Mounting of Dhvaja\ Mili tary Rituals; Army Camp [Sivira in Epic; Arlhasastra\ Kamandaka NItisara\\ Omen; Army on the March [Length of March]; Choice of Battlefield; The Battles; Last Rites; Prisoners of War; Spirituous Liquors [Vedic Times; Epic Times; Arthasastra. etc.; Puranic Litera ture]; Military Intelligence; Medical Services; Military Engineers, Military Signals; Concept of Dharmayuddha: Dharmavijaya\ Morale Factor 4. STRATEGICAL AND TACTICAL CONCEPTS: VEDAS, EPICS AND SMRTIS Meaning of Vyuha\ Vedic Age; Vyuhain Epics; Choice of Array [ Vajra-vyuha\ Sarvatobhadra-vyuha\ Krauhcaruna-vyitha\ Maha-vyuha\ Garuda-vyuha\ Ardhacandra-vyuha\ Vyala-vyuha\ Makara-vyuha\ Krauhca-vyuha\ Syena-vyuha\ Sucimukha-vyuha\ Mandala-vyiiha-. Srhgataka-vyiiha. Sakata-vyCiba. CakiavyCiha', Cakra-Sakata-Padina-Si!ci-vyuha]\ Vyuha in Ramayana\ Vyuha in Jatakas, Vyuha in Smrtis; Battle Array of Porus; Military Thinkers of Epic Times [^ukraearya; Brhaspati; Yudhisthira; Dhrstadyumna; Arjuna; :^ikhandin; Bhisma; Dronacai^a; Karna; Rama; Ravana] 5. STRATEGICAL AND TACTICAL CONCEPTS; ARTHASASTRA AND 7V/77WORKS Four Means; Deployment of Forces; Battle Formations [Sama-vyuha: Visama-vyuha: Misra-vyuha; Suddhavyuha\\ Bala Factor; Prakrti Vyubas\ Danda-vyuha {Pradara-vyuha\ Drdhaka-vyuha\ Asahya-vyuha\ Syenavyuha\ Capa-vyuha\ Capakuksi-vyuhar, Pratistha-vyuha\ Supratistha-vyuha\ Sanjaya-vyuba\ Vijaya-vyuba\ Stbunakama-vyuba\ Visala-vijaya-vyuba\ Camumukbavyuba, Jbasasya-vyuba, Sucl-vyidia, Valaya-vyiiba, Durjaya-vyuba]\ Bboga-vyuba \^akata-vyuba\ Makaravyuha\ Paripantaka-vyuba\\ Mandala-vyuba \Sarvatobbadra-vyuba\ Durjaya-vyuba\\ Asambatavyuba [ Vajra- or Godba-vyuba; Uddbanaka- or Kakapadl-vyuba\ Ardbacandra- or Karkatakasrnglvyuba]-. Miscellaneous Arrays [Arista-vyuba, Acalavyuba, Apratibata-vyuba]\ Kamandaka Niti on Vyuba\ Agni Parana on Vyuba\ Sukraniti on Vyiiba\ Guerrilla Warfare; Later Developments; Foreign Influence 6. WEAPONS AND ARMOUR Chalcolithic Age; Vedic Age; Use of Iron; Classifica tion of Weapons [Mababbarata\ Anbasastra\ Agni Purana\ Dbanurveda\ $isupalavadba\\ Bow; Arrow; Quiver; Mounted Archer; Stirrup; Bridle; Saddle; Sword; Sheath; Spear; Mace; Noose; Battle-axe; Thunderbolt; Machines; Shield; Armour; Foreign Impact; Divine Weapons; Fire Arms 7. FORTIFICATION AND SIEGE-CRAFT Importance of Fort; History [Vedic and Post-Vedic Period; Mabajanapada hgc\ Maurya Period; Artbasastra on Fort; Epic and Puranic View; Greek and Kusana Innovations]; Sanci Evidence [Forts of South India]; Fort Types \Gin-durga\ Jala-durga\ Dhanva-duigg Vana-durga\ Mahi-durga, Manusya-diirga\\ Security of Fort; Siege-craft 8. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Dhanurveda\ Importance of Training; System of Education \Asramasr, Taxila Centre; Village Centres, State Centres; Viharasr, Guru Tradition]; Scope of Train ing [Hunting]; Training in Weapons [Bow; Sword; Mace; Short Sword; Shield; Noose; Movements]; Training of Animals [Elephants; Horses; Camels; Dogs] 9. MILITARY SYMBOLS AND CEREMONIALS Dhvaja [Symbol of Faith]; Early Dbvajas [Vedic Age; Epic Times; Nanda-Maurya Age; Gupta Age; Post-Gupta Period]; Pataka\ Related Customs \Dhvaja-Mahotsava\\ War-God; Military Ceremonials [ Vajapeya; Rajasuya: Asvamedha;NIrajana;Salru-bali\\\{onom?,and Awards [Spoils of :War, Heavenly Bliss, Memorials, Cash Awards, Land Grants, Fillet of Honour, Enhanced Pay and Promotions; Royal Emblems and Titles]; Martial Music [Vedic Age; Epic Times; Maurya Period and After; Puranic Evidence; Seventh Century and After; Bardic Tradition]; Some Musical Instruments {Dundubhr,. ^amkha; Turya] 10. CONCLUSION Social Framework; Political Bearings; Unending Wars; Organizational Set-up; Exaggerated Numbers; Salaried Soldiers; Pursuit of War; Strategy and Tactics; Imple ments of War; Defensive Mentality; Education and Train ing; Ceremonials; Revolutionary Changes; Foreign Impact; Social Consequences; Dismal Showing