Prehistoric India to 1000 B.C. c14.73

c14.73

Even though the composition of the hymns is likely to be later, the conditions they reflect are those of victorious conquerors in the first flush of success. The warrior aristocracy, the *Kṣatriyas*, are the heroes, and the great gods are made in their image; Indra is the tutelary god of the soldier, and his exploits are those of the barbarian chieftain leading his followers to victory. We do not then see Aryan warfare from the point of view of the soldier in the ranks - the war-bands included 'hand-to-hand fighters', who are presumably infantry - but from that of the aristocratic warriors who drove to battle in their chariots, and constituted the mobile, light-armoured force.