[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) › c3 # War in Ancient India c3: Preface War in Ancient India c3 - **Language:** English ### Preface ### [c3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.1) The following pages are based on lectures delivered in the Annamalai University in 1934. This is the first attempt to give an almost complete exposition of the art and the science of war in Ancient India, and a consecutive account and the history of Indian military tradition. The subject matter covers the whole period from the earliest times to the end of the Vijayanagar epoch. The work has been carried through the press under heavy pressure of war times, and I claim, on that ground, the indulgence of my readers for mis-prints that may have passed uncorrected. ### [c3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.2) I offer my tribute of respect to Lt.-Col. Dewan Bahadur Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras, who has contributed a foreword to this book; his profound learning and vast experience are only equalled by his courtesy and readiness to afford to others advice, the soundness and value of which it would be difficult to over-rate. Nor must I omit to express my warmest gratitude to Rao Bahadur K. V. Rangaswami Aiyangar and Rao Bahadur C. S. Srinivasachari for kindly reading the proofs, and making helpful suggestions, and to the Rev. Fr. T. N. Siqueira, S.J., for reading the manuscript of the work. For the arduous task of the compilation of the Index, I owe thanks to Dr. T. V. Mahalingam, M.A., D.Litt., I also desire to thank the Madras School-book and Literature Society for the generous contribution towards this publication. ### [c3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.3) MADRAS, 5th April 1944. } V. R. RAMACHANDRA DIKSHITAR. ### [c3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.4) The emperor, who had been the first to propose the measure, was the first to feel its effects. He was the first to be deprived of his command, and the first to be reduced to the condition of a private citizen. The example of the emperor was followed by the other magistrates, and the whole administration of the empire was changed. The new system was established without any opposition, and the people, who had been so long accustomed to the tyranny of the emperors, were easily reconciled to the change. The new government was more equitable, and the taxes were more moderate. The people were relieved from the burden of the military service, and the empire enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity. ### [c3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.5) The reign of the new emperor was short, and he was succeeded by his son, who was a man of a very different character. He was a man of a cruel and tyrannical disposition, and he soon restored the old system of government. The people were again subjected to the same oppressions, and the empire was again plunged into a state of war and confusion. The new emperor was assassinated, and he was succeeded by his brother, who was a man of a more moderate character. He was a man of a mild and gentle disposition, and he endeavoured to restore the peace and prosperity of the empire. He was successful in his efforts, and the empire enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity for many years. ### [c3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.6) The history of the Roman empire is a history of the rise and fall of empires, and it is a history of the struggle between the forces of order and the forces of disorder. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of liberty and the forces of tyranny. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of progress and the forces of reaction. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of life and the forces of death. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of hope and the forces of despair. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of love and the forces of hate. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of truth and the forces of falsehood. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of justice and the forces of injustice. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of wisdom and the forces of folly. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of virtue and the forces of vice. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of strength and the forces of weakness. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of courage and the forces of cowardice. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of faith and the forces of doubt. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of hope and the forces of fear. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of joy and the forces of sorrow. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of peace and the forces of war. It is a history of the struggle between the forces of life and the forces of death. ### [c3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.7) | CHAPTER | | PAGE | | I | THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF WAR . . . . . . | 1–39 | | II | THE LAWS OF WAR: | | | | Sec. i The Warrior’s Code . . | 41–57 | | | ” ii The Ethics of War . . | 58–75 | | | ” iii Celebrating Victory . . | 75–78 | | | ” iv Miscellaneous Regulations . | 78–80 | | | ” v Dharma Vijaya, Asura Vijaya and Lobha Vijaya. | 81–92 | | III | WEAPONS OF WAR AS GATHERED FROM LITERATURE: | | | | Sec. i Bows and Arrows . . | 93–101 | | | ” ii Fire Arms . . . . | 101–106 | | | ” iii Other Weapons . . . . | 106–109 | | | ” iv The Amukta weapons . . | 110–119 | | | ” v Minor and Mystical weapons of Warfare . . | 119–125 | | | ” vi On Armour . . . . | 126–129 | | | ” vii Arms and Armour from Sculpture . . . . | 130–151 | | IV | ARMY AND ARMY DIVISIONS: | | | | Sec. i Introductory . . . . | 153–156 | | | ” ii Further Divisions . . . | 156–157 | | | ” iii Chariots . . . . | 157–166 | | | ” iv Elephants . . . . | 166–174 | | | ” v Cavalry . . . . . | 174–179 | ### [c3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.8) Sec. vi Infantry .. .. 179-182 ” vii The Commissariat .. 182-186 ” viii The Admiralty .. 186-190 ” ix Characteristics of a good Army .. .. 190-197 ” x Units of the Army .. 198-199 ### [c3.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.9) V DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY: Sec. i War Council .. .. 201-206 ” ii War Finance .. .. 206-214 ” iii The Arsenal .. .. 214-217 ” iv Foreign Department .. 217-219 ” v Intelligence Department .. 219-220 ” vi Army Officers .. .. 220-231 ” vii Non-Military Officers .. 231-233 ### [c3.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.10) VI STRATEGY AND TACTICS OF WAR: Sec. i Introductory .. .. 235-237 ” ii Strategical considerations.. 237-241 ” iii The Camp .. .. 241-243 ” iv Site for the Battle-field .. 243-247 ” v Construction and Siege of Forts .. .. 247-264 ” vi Tactics .. .. 264-274 ### [c3.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.11) VII AERIAL AND NAVAL WARFARE: Sec. i Aerial Warfare .. .. 275-284 ” ii Naval Warfare .. .. 284-298 ### [c3.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.12) VIII DIPLOMACY AND WAR: Sec. i History of Diplomacy .. 299-312 ” ii The Sixfold Policy .. 312-324 ” iii Instruments of Diplomacy. 324-334 ” iv International Relations .. 334-336 ### [c3.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.13) CHAPTER ### [c3.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3.14) Sec. i The Place and Function of Ambassadors . . . . 337-351 ” ii Espionage in War . . 351-361 Conclusion . . . . 361-362 APPENDIX i Manuscripts . . . 363-366 ” ii Flags in Ancient India . . 367-376 ” iii War Music . . . . 377-380 ” iv Curiosities of War . . 381-388 Books consulted . . . . 389-397 --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1944.c3) · Pramāṇa