The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.349.1

v1.c10.349.1

**Materials of Bows:** Of the material of which the bow was made, little is said in ancient works, except that horn was sometimes used for the purpose. But the *Agni Purāṇa*, which in its chapters on archery and arms, and on regal administration, is, according to Wilson, distinguished by an entirely Hindu character, and must have been written long anterior to the Muhammadan invasion,¹⁸¹ supplies the deficiency. In its chapter on arms it gives the following: "Bows, O best of the twice-born, are formed of the three things, to wit, metal, horn and wood; and the string of the bow is likewise made of three substances, viz., *śaṇa* fibre (*Crotalarea juncea*), hemp (*Bhāṅgā*, *Cannabis sativa*), and skin or hide. The most appropriate length for a bow is four cubits, three and a half cubits being middling, and three cubits inferior: it is to be so prepared that there may exist no unevenness from its centre to the extremities; the middle part should be joined with a spare piece of wood, so that it may be firmly held. The ends of the bow are to be made thin and tapering, so as to resemble the eye-brows of a handsome woman. Metal and horn bows should be made either of pure iron, or horn separately, or of those two substances conjointly. The horny bow is to be formed of a good shape and decorated with gold. Bows which are crooked, or have cracks or holes in them, are not good. The metallic bow is to be made of gold, silver, copper and black iron.