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Module - I Armies in Ancient Age

Military History
infantry. The ancient armies were made of the Chariots, Elephants, Horses and
of Ancient India
Infantry. Collectively it was called Chaturangabala.
 The four fold Chaturangabala was the traditional force. A King had a number of
chariots, horses and elephants. All these required a minister or department of
state to look after and also required money to feed the animals, pay the soldiers

Note and provide accomodation for the soldiers and their handlers. Therefore, to
control and administer large armies new organisations were created such as a
ministry called Mantra, the force of counsel and Kosha, the power of the treasury.
Thus it became a six fold force. As societies progressed the organization of the
army was further strengthened, due to its deployment in different situations of
war. It became an eight fold force to include, cara or spies, commissariat and
transport, navy or Admiralty and Desika or elders and advisors.

 Chariots : In Vedic times, the chariot was considered the most important to
fight a war. It could maneuver through the fighting forces thus suddenly occupying
positions of advantage, break through ranks and threaten enemy from the flank
or the rear. Each chariot had a charioteer and the warrior. A flag decorated it
with an image called dhvaja and an umbrella. The use of the chariots declined by
650A.D and no mention of its use is made in any historical texts in later years.

 Elephants : The next important force of war was the elephant. In peacetime it
was used as a vehicle to carry men and material. In war it became a combatant.
Mention of elephants in battle is found in Rig Veda. The Arthasastra describes in
great detail the role and tasks of a special officer to take care of the elephant
division. It also mentions the area required to house one elephant in designated
areas called elephant forest and its food and training requirements. The importance
of elephants as a powerful means for battle can be seen from Gajasiksa or
hastisastra, was a special science of elephants and formed an important part of
military studies.

 Cavalry : The third division of the army, was the cavalry. Again, in Arthasastra,
detailed descriptions are given of cavalry division. There was a Superintendent
called as vadyaksa who was responsible to maintain the horses. A cavalry unit
was the fastest moving force of an army and it could be employed to gain surprise
and it played an important role in battles.

 Infantry : Infantry was the next important division of the army. Infantry gave the
army its numbers, which became the factor for many victories. The Arthasastra
talks of the Infantry as a separate department of the army, under the charge of a
special officer of the state. All infantry soldiers carried a sword or a dagger and

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MILITARY HISTORY