Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.78

c2.78

The above marks off one period in the history of these yantras. One of the questions that naturally agitate one's mind at this stage is that of firearms in ancient India. The throwing of arrows with fire or with combustibles on them is no doubt very old and forms one of the things prohibited by Manu in righteous warfare. Some of the other arms and machines mentioned by Kauṭilya do appear to be firearms.