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Military Ethos Module - I

Military History
Flag bearers carried the Flag to the battlefield. It was considered the greatest honour
of Ancient India
to defend it. For the armies fighting a battle, it was important to capture the flag of the
opponent because that would symbolize victory. It must be remembered that in ancient
times there was flag of the king and also each division of the army had its own flag and
it was carried on the chariot or the elephants.
Apart from the flag, Kings used emblems. These were depictions of animals such as
Note
boar, lion etc, South Indian Kings used pictures of fish, tiger, bow in their flags.

Fig. 3.1 Flag
The same picture as that on a flag was also used as an emblem on the official seal or
coin. A pennant was a triangle shaped flag, which was used on chariots, cavalry and
even elephants. Pennants were coloured cloth and were used to differentiate between
two armies in the battlefield.

3.2 War Music

Musical instruments for war find mention in Rig Veda Samhita, implying that they were
of importance in warfare. These instruments were used only for festive occasions or in
war. Vedic literature mentions war drums of three types. Instruments were designed
for religious festivals, cultural and art demonstrations and some exclusively for use in
the battlefield. Why were they required for the soldiers? Drums and music provided
inspiration to the soldiers to be brave and fight ferociously.

Fig. 3.2 War Drum horn or Nagara

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MILITARY HISTORY 15