Home > Indian History > History of India > Warfare in Ancient India
Warfare in Ancient India
Warfare in Ancient India mostly centred upon chariots. Indian Puranas and the two great epics give details about the science of warfare as evinced in the battle formations, use of weapons, vehicles, animals, battle songs and other means.

Share this Article:

Tanjavur-palace, Indian History Details about warfare in ancient India can be obtained from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata and the Puranas. In ancient Indian army Chariots and horses were hugely employed they were more for dignity and show than for obtaining tactical superiority. Indian chariots were massive, made of either wood or iron, and elaborately decorated in gold. Some of the chariots held more men the largest could hold up to seven men. Indian chariots were large and heavy and that required around four to six horses for pulling them. Elephants and chariots also formed a part of the armies during campaigns.

Both Ashoka and Samudra Gupta, two great conquerors of ancient India also laid great emphasis on this aspect of warfare. In his edicts Chanakya laid down strict rules for statecraft and warfare as also for spies and envoys. Proper warning was always given to an adversary before the actual fighting took place. During the battle sword met sword, spear struck spear, mace struggled with mace, arrow crossed arrow and when all arms had been broken or exhausted, the warriors met each other in unarmed combat. Great attention was paid to the development of the physique and personality of the soldier. Lord Rama won his consort in an open tournament when prowess and the art of war were given the fairest trial and in which warriors and leaders of men from far and near participated.

In the ancient times, it was necessary to maintain so large an army because of the unsettled conditions of the times in which weak states had very little chance of survival. Officers and men were paid regularly. The crown prince was the highest paid person in the army. The practice of allowing extra allowances in advance to the army before a campaign also prevailed at the time. Uniforms were provided to the regular army by the state for which implications were made from their pay. With these compensations the military budget must have amounted to near about fifty percent and even more of the total revenues of the state. Modes of payment varied from division to division. Some were paid in cash and some in kind. Some received it both in cash and kind. Soldiers were also given a part of the booty in war.

Krishnadevaraya, Indian History A balanced force was to consist of 45 chariots, 225 horses, 675 men and as many servants to attend upon the horses, chariots and elephants. Of these the chariots had to be in groups of three each in front, with the same number on the flanks. The number of chariots in the front could be increased, if required, until the total number was twenty one. In the same manner the surplus horses had to be balanced and thus no confusion was occasioned during fighting. According to Sukraniti the foot-soldiers (infantry) had to be four times the cavalry, oxen one-fifth of the cavalry, camels one-eighth, elephants one-fourth of the camels, chariots half of the elephants and cannon twice the chariots. The field army was divided into five different groups namely centre or uras, flanks or kaksas and wings or paksas. Great stress was laid on reserves which had to be the `flower` of the army and one was never supposed to fight without them. These had to be detached and kept in a favourable position from where they could be usefully employed. Battle formations were divided into various classes namely Staff, Snake, Circle and Detached order.

Further, the sounding of a trumpet six palikas (two and two-fifth of an hour) before sunrise and after sunset prohibiting the movement of people, is surely a forerunner of the present practice of sounding reveille and retreat in cantonments and military camps. These bugles and trumpets were an essential accompaniment to an army. All important commanders carried their conch-shells. A flag was a symbol of the strength, unity and inspiration and was prominently displayed by the king and commander during a battle. For a demoralised army the standard served as a rallying point. According to historical records, it is claimed that during most of the great battles the fighting was severe around the flag. Many a battle was lost due to the loss of the standard, as then the soldiers had nothing to fight for and would hurriedly retire or give up. The capture of the enemy`s standard has always been considered to be a great honour and even now some of them, though two hundred years old, adorn military messes and halls.

If there was a possibility of a threat of the enemy blocking the road, the army was required to march in crocodile or array, makara in front, in cart-like array behind and on the sides in diamond-like array and in a compact array on all sides. The diamond-array consisted of four or five rows, each having a front, rear and sides. During the Mahabharata battles the opposing sides adopted different battle arrays on each day. Some of the formations used were vajra or thunderbolt, mandala or circular, suchi or needle shaped and krauncha or heron shaped. The battle formations and tactics employed in these battles indicate existence of four kinds of movements namely compact, separate, circular and crooked.

The science of fortress warfare was developed to a great extent. In the epic Mahabharata there are references to many types of durgas - forts. The excavations at some ancient cities indicate existence of walled cities, bastions and elaborate defence works at the time. Small strongholds were sited at strategic points along the borders on all fronts. The capital formed the main bastion. Due emphasis was laid on height, thickness and invulnerability. A king without a fort was comparable to an elephant without rut or a snake without poison.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.