Page 5 - ch 1

Warrior System in Ancient India Module - I

Military History
righteous war, which had the approval of society. On the other hand, Kutayuddha was
of Ancient India
unrighteous war. It was a crafty fight carried on secretly. The Hindu science of warfare
values both niti and shaurya i.e. ethical principles and valor. It was therefore realized
that the waging war without any cause was not acceptable to the society.

A monarch desirous of dharma vijaya should conform to the code of ethics enjoined
upon warriors. The principles regulating the two kinds of warfare are elaborately
described in the Dharmasutras and Dharmasastras, the epics (Ramayana and Note
Mahabharata), the Arthasastra (treatise of Kautilya), Kamandaka, and Sukra. Of
particular interest was the rule that no army will destroy crops or houses of civilians. In
fact the farmer and the general public were not affected by war and their lives were not
disturbed. This ethos of the ancient army is practised by the Indian Army even today.
1.3.3 The Warrior Code

The ancient lawgivers, the reputed authors of "Dharmasutras" and "Dharmasastras"
wrote the laws as per existing customs and usage for the betterment of mankind.
The law books contain special sections on rules for the King and the warriors. A
Kshatriya was required to perform three basic duties, learning, sacrificing and making
gifts. The warrior was expected to learn all subjects that a King was taught. They also
learnt the art of "Dhanurveda". Much importance was attached to discipline and
obedience. Even now a soldier is disciplined and obedient as a habit and virtue. The
warrior was recognized by the dress he wore. The attire of a warrior was same for a
Clear and each part of the dress was codified. He was expected to wear appropriate
dress including jewels as per the occasion.
The warrior code enjoined that a soldier must die in the battlefield. Thus among the
laws of war, we find that,

 a warrior (Kshatriya) in armour must not fight with one who is not wearing
armour.

 one should fight only one enemy and cease fighting if the opponent is disabled.
 aged men, women and children, the retreating, or one who held a straw in his
lips as a sign of unconditional surrender should not be killed.

It is of particular interest to note that one of the laws enjoins the army to leave the fruit
and flower gardens, temples and other places of public worship unharmed. The
Ramayana describes how Ravana exhausted his arrows when fighting with Rama and
Rama telling him to return the next day for battle with more arrows to fight. This
incident was the highest form of Dharma yuddha practised.

5
MILITARY HISTORY 5