Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c8.s4.1

c8.s4.1

Various kinds of weapons were used in ancient times for offensive and defensive purposes. The Paṇhavāgaraṇa mentions the following weapons : muggara (Indian club), musaṇḍhi (octagonal club),⁷² karakaya (saw), satti (spear), hala (plough), gadā (mace or heavy club), musala (pestle), cakka (discus), kunta (lance), tomara (javelin), sūla (trident spit), lauḍa (light club), bhiṇḍipāla (crooked club), savvala (an iron spear), paṭṭisa (battle-axe), cammettha (stone covered with leather), duhaṇa (hatchet), muṭṭhiya (dagger), asikheḍaga (sword with a shield), khagga (sword), cāpa (bow), nārāca (iron-tipped arrow), kanaka (arrow), kappinī (a kind of scissors), vāsi (adze), parasu (axe)⁷³ and sayagghī.⁷⁴ Defensive armours are mentioned. We are told that Kūṇika used an impregnable coat of mail while fighting with Ceḍaga.⁷⁵