War in Ancient India c6.s1.6

c6.s1.6

In the light of the above remarks we shall trace the evolution of fire-arms in ancient India. Commencing our enquiry from the *Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā*, there is evidence to show that *agni* (fire) was praised for vanquishing an enemy. The *Atharva Veda* shows the employment of fire-arms with lead shots.³⁵ The *Aitareya Brāhmaṇa*³⁶ describes an arrow with fire at its tip. The term *sūrmi* in the *Ṛg Veda*,³⁷ considered in the light of its use as the death penalty for criminal offenders as in the *Mānava-dharma-śāstra*,³⁸ must have been of the nature of a hollow tube and has nothing to do with guns.