War in Ancient India c6.s5.21

c6.s5.21

The epoch which followed the Chalcolithic period of India’s history witnessed the introduction of iron. This was the age of the Yajur Veda Samhitā where distinct mention is made of the use of iron and iron weapons. Arms and armour of this metal now came to be used, for, it was found more valuable than even bronze. Gold and silver were also pressed into service because of their plastic and ornamental possibilities. These metals came to be used for the making of arrows as well as for shields and other effective weapons of defence. This state practically continued to flourish until the days of Alexander the Great and of Megasthenes, the ambassador of Seleukos. For the Fragments of Megasthenes testify to their use in abundance. Javelins made of simple bamboo and sago palm quite innocent of iron, remnants of which still linger among some of the hill tribes of India, have been superseded by iron swords and the throwing spear. These swords were straight in shape and two-handed, in use at the time of Alexander’s invasion of India and popular later in the Malay Archipelago, as evident from bas-reliefs of Angkor-Wat in Cambodia.