War in Ancient India c7.s1.t3.1

c7.s1.t3.1

Chariots were of different types and materials. Śukra mentions³¹ an awe-inspiring chariot of iron with swift-moving wheels, provided with good seats for the warriors³² and a seat in the middle for the charioteer; the chariot was also equipped with all kinds of offensive and defensive weapons.³³ The *Harivaṃśa*³⁴ speaks of the iron car of the Dānava Tata having eight wheels, axles and poles and being furnished with a crow standard. It was two miles in length and drawn by 1000 mules. Iron nets were hung from its windows and a variety of weapons were found in it. This is an exaggerated description apparently of a very strong and huge chariot, and shows that chariots were freely used in wars.