Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s2.18

v1.c11.s2.18

Weapons of war or the chase comprised of axes, spears, daggers, bows and arrows, maces, slings and possibly, though not probably, catapults. These are weapons of offence only. Of shields, helmets, greaves or other defensive armour, there is no trace: nor has the sword, which was to become one of the characteristic weapons of the later copper age in the Jamuna-Ganges in the valley, yet made its appearance. The blade-axes or celts which were usually of copper, more rarely of bronze, were of two types: one lay and narrow and the other short and broad. The lay bar celts which are found in the Jamuna-Ganges Valley and the barbed harpoon heads and swords associated with them are entirely absent at Mohenjo-Daro. The spearheads in use among the Indus folk were, according to Mackay, spoils taken from some inferior jungle tribe not manufactured on the spot. (MS-I, 35)