War in Ancient India c6.s6.20

c6.s6.20

On a pillar in the Amarāvati tope, decidedly later than those of Sāñchī, we notice a straight sword, long spears and long bows with horsemen and elephants. But there are no chariots here. This does not mean that the chariots had fallen into disuse. More or less the same kind of swords, oblong shields, long bows are also noticed in the Hill Caves of Orissa, evidently before the fifth or sixth century A.D.¹³⁸ In the more ancient sculptures of the temples of Bhuvaneśvara we meet with processions of infantry, cavalry, and elephants. There are heroic warriors elegantly sculptured. A small dagger hangs from the waist belt of every one of them.