War in Ancient India c10.39

c10.39

But to the common people and even to the military officials, the use of carrier-pigeons was of the utmost importance. There is enough to show that their use was well known to ancient peoples. Pliny relates that Brutus sent these pigeons, at the siege of Modena in 43 B.C., to his friends for help. Again, we find that they were used in 1167 A.D. as a means of communication between Syria and Bagdad. The letters were usually fastened to the wings. Despite the improved methods of communication by post and telegraph, even to-day they have their value. For when wars break out, there is every possibility that postal and telegraphic communication will be cut off or otherwise interrupted to the great detriment of the belligerent parties. But no one can prevent these birds from carrying information to the desired destination. Therefore even to-day in some countries in Europe the shooting and hunting of these birds is treated as an offence and severely punished.²¹ Coming to our own country, Kauṭalya also makes a side reference to pigeon houses that served as military stations, an indication of the use of the birds in early days. This is perhaps why we find them among the several presents given to kings.²²