War in Ancient India c11.8

c11.8

The history of diplomacy in ancient India commences with the *Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā*, and the date of its composition may be taken as far back as the Chalcolithic period.⁴ In the battles the help of Agni is invoked to overcome enemies. He is to be the deceiver of foes.⁵ For it is said in another hymn that his foes are full of deceit.⁶ In pursuing his mission to a successful end, the use of spies is mentioned.⁷ This bears eloquent testimony to the system of espionage prevalent so early as the time of the *Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā*. In the battle of the Ten Kings described in the seventh maṇḍala,⁸ we find the diplomacy of rulers getting supplemented by its association with priestly diplomacy,⁹ which exercised a healthy influence on the constitutional evolution.