War in Ancient India c6.s6.t1.2

c6.s6.t1.2

In Plate xix are noticed long lances with diamond-shaped blades and streamers flying from them in the air. In Plates xxi and xxxviii are found spears. In the former, apparently an elephant-catching scene, is a curious kind of spear sharpened at the edge, about eight feet long and furnished with three rings at the top. The blade is almost one foot long. The latter seems to illustrate the scenes from the Viśvatantra Jātaka. Here the soldier wears a sharp thrusting spear with heavy knobs cleanly represented beside the horses. In Plate xxiii is a highly ornamented sword with a strong hilt and also a cross-bar. There are ornamental knobs along the scabbard. In Plate xxvii is a short dagger worn at the waist used by hill tribes in West India even to-day. A short but stout club is carried on the right shoulder, used as a weapon of war in early days. Besides there is the ordinary simple type of bow with one piece. Plates xxiv and xxxvii are vivid representations of chariots. In the former are seen ladies also seated. It appears to be the one on which the king accompanied the army on its onward march to battle. The decorated paintings leave nothing to be desired. The battle-axes with long handles and about four feet in length each, are seen worn on the right shoulder in Plate xxxvi. The Bodhisattva himself is given a kukri, a survival of the ancient sword with a sharp concave edge used by the Gurkhas of to-day.