[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [War in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944) › c11.8 # War in Ancient India c11.8 War in Ancient India c11.8 - **Language:** English ### [c11.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.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. - [Previous: c11.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c11.7) - [Next: c11.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c11.9) - [Up: c11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c11) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c11.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c11.8) · Pramāṇa