War in Ancient India c7.s2.10

c7.s2.10

Another mode of equipping for war is also mentioned. Instead of bows some foot-soldiers were armed with javelins. But all wore swords with broad blades and less than three cubits in length. These were wielded with both hands in close fight to effect a mighty blow.⁹⁹ As if to demonstrate the superiority of disciplined infantry, the *Agnipurāṇa* says that victory ever attends the army where foot-soldiers are numerically strong.¹⁰⁰