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Module - I Concept and Evolution of Military Studies

Military Studies

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Note
CONCEPT AND EVOLUTION

OF MILITARY STUDIES

From history of India you may have learnt of how armies were formed and how they
protected the people. If armies have been there since long and they are an essential
part of a society, then it is important to know how armies function and how they should
be used by the Government. So, what is Military Studies? Military studies deals with
all subjects pertaining to the military and how soldiers and kings are trained in the art of
war fighting.
The lessons in this book will answer questions such as how are the armed forces
organised to fight a war? what are the rank structures? What are the weapons with the
armed forces? What is the role and responsibility of armies in today's world? How
should the armed forces be used by the government? How was the military trained in
olden times? How did the training change with time?

Objectives

After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
• describe the military education organisation in ancient India;
• compare the military studies subjects as taught by ancients and as taught today and
• trace the changes that came with changes in the armies.

2.1 Military Studies in Ancient India

Before learning about military studies, it is important to know about the education
system of ancient India. First was the system of Gurukul. It was basically a residential
school where all children including the children of the king were sent to learn. Important
points to know about the Gurukul system are as follows:-
(a) It was a residential school where the Guru or teacher had a house. The teacher
and the student stayed together in the Gurukul.
(b) Students stayed in the school for about 10 years to learn many subjects.

(c) The subjects taught included language, grammar, science, mathematics and vedas.

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MILITARY STUDIES