War in Ancient India c6.45

c6.45

cross bows. To the Greek, Apollo was the bow-god. In Greece, bows were made of wool, horn, horse-hair, and even hide. But the disadvantages of such arrows and bows were experienced during winter, when they became relaxed and consequently became inefficient. In India in almost every war recorded either in the Purāṇic or Epic literature, bows and arrows loom very large. It would be interesting to recall the story of Prince Peerless from the Jātaka.³¹ ‘One day his king wanted to test his skill and asked him to bring down a cluster of mango fruits with an arrow from a tree beyond. On this he removed the white cloths which he had on and put on a red waist cloth and fastened his girdle. He equipped himself with a sword on his left side, a mail of gold, a bow with a red string and turban on his head and with arrow set to the bow, he asked the king whether he is to get the cluster with an upward shot or he is to make the arrow drop on it. The king who was not acquainted with the latter method suggested it. The arrow was discharged and down came both the cluster and the arrow, the latter making a terrible noise.’