War in Ancient India c7.s1.t3.7

c7.s1.t3.7

Besides flags, umbrellas (*chattra*, *ātapatra*) and fans were a part of the paraphernalia of the war chariot. The umbrella, which was a prominent feature of all festive occasions, was also seen in the field of action. It was often of white material, the stick sometimes being golden.⁴⁰ Among the spoils of war one had to gather the umbrellas in the battle-field. In the old Tamil literary works we are told that often the umbrella sticks and the flag staff recovered from the enemy became the *talaikkol* used by dancing girls in Tamil India.⁴¹ This only indicates that the ancient Tamils attached as much importance to these paraphernalia as their northern brethren.