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An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c24.s3.t3: 19.3.5 Caltrops

An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c24.s3.t3

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19.3.5 Caltrops

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The caltrop, also spelt 'calthorp', 'caltrap' and 'calthrop' (Stone, 1961, p. 158) and called *gokharu* in India, is composed of spikes, either planted singly on the ground or radiating from a common centre, and strewn on the ground to prevent the advance of elephant corp or cavalry, or in a breach in fortifications to hinder attacking troops. One of the commonest forms is four spikes radiating from a common point so that in any position one of the spikes would stand vertically. They are the direct ancestor of the barbed wire entanglements of the present day. Many of the aboriginal tribes like the Adis of Nefa and the Nagas of Nagaland use sharpened stakes called *panjis* for the same purpose. They occur in Roman military sites of the early centuries A D. and are reported from ancient China and Japan as well (Stone, 1961, p. 158). The *Arthaśāstra* of Kauṭilya, 2.3.21, perhaps refers to them as *triśūla*, to be placed outside the gateway of the fort along with other obstacles.

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Four-spiked caltrops together with many other weapons like knife-blades, lances, spearheads, tangeddaggers and barbed and faceted arrowheads have been found near the defences and gateway at SISUPALGARH, Pd II, A.D. 200 to 300.

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A pair of caltrops with tapering and sharp spikes is reported from NASIK, Pd II A, 300 to 200 B.C. [See also SARADKEL.]

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Caltrops were used in medieval times as well, as seen in specimens in museums. They were also used in the last two World wars.

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Andrews, F.S., 1935, *Descriptive Catalogue of Antiquities in the C. Asian Antiquities Museum*, Delhi. Dwivedi, V.P., 1973, in *Aspects of Indian Art*, Leiden; 1976, *Indian Ivories*, Delhi. Ghosh, A., 1947-8, in *AI*, 4, p. 81. Gupta, S.P., 1961, in *Jour. Bihar & Orissa Res. Soc.*, 47. Heine-Geldern, R., 1936, in *Jour. Indian Soc. Oriental Art*, 4, pp. 87-113. Marshall, J., 1951, *Taxila*, Cambridge, 2 vols. Petrie, F., 1917, *Tools & Weapons*, London. Sharma, G.R., 1960, *Excavations at Kauśāmbī*, Allahabad. Stein, A., 1928, *Innermost Asia*, Oxford. Stone, G.C., 1961, *Glossary of the Construction, Decoration & Use of Arms*, New York. For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—G.N. PANT

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