. . .
. . .
Scenes from the Mahabharata for Children by Grandfathers
. . .
. . .
The Mahabharata (the ancient story of battles) was filled with wars. Look at these pictures and tell how wars were fought in ancient India. Which weapons are being used? What is the armor like?
War chariots were important to move the warrior leaders to the battle. Each chariot had a chariot driver.
mace - a weapon like a club
bow and arrow -
a spear -
Weapons of Ancient India
Arms, Armour: Weapons and accoutrement of Warriors in Bharat through the Ages is an extensive site showing many pictures of weapons and armor from India's past.
Sports as Preparation for War:
During the era of the Rig - Veda, Ramayana and Mahabharata, men of a certain stature were expected to be good at chariot-racing, archery, military stratagies, swimming, wrestling and hunting.
Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjodaro confirm that during the Indus valley civilization (2500 - 1550 B.C) the weapons involved in war and hunting exercises included the bow and arrow, the dagger, the axe and the mace. These weapons of war, for instance, the javelin (toran) and the discus (chakra), were also, frequently used in the sports arena. Women, too, excelled in sport and the art of self - defence, and were active participants in games like cock - fighting, quail - fighting and ram - fighting.
With the flowering of Buddhism in the country, Indian sport reached the very peak of excellence. Gautam Buddha himself, is said to have been an ace at archery, chariot - racing, horseback riding, and hammer - throwing.
[The above is adapted from Traditional Games of India]
Martial Arts
India has a very long tradition of martial arts. Indeed, the martial arts of China and Japan may have come from India.
The martial arts of Kerala - Kalaripayattu - consists of a series of intricate movements that train the body and mind. The discipline is continually practised and complemented by the Kerala's famous ayurvedic and nature cure techniques.These are believed to have travelled to eastern China, where they inspired the evolution of other martial art forms. 'Verumkai' is the final and most difficult of lessons taught in the kalari. The others are Maithozhil - combat through kicks, Kolathiri - combat using sticks and Angathiri - the use of metal weapons. See Kalari video clips
Kaliparat or Kalarippayattu site shows the exercises and weapons of this ancient martial art. See a photo album of modern practice with weapons and hand-to-hand combat and visit a school.
Regular Warfare among local chieftains in southeastern India led to the evolution of a special community of warriors called Nairs.The Nairs were bred to be fighters. Some of them were trained like the Samurai as suicide squads. Known as 'Chavers', these warriors would fight their way through an enemy attack in an orgy of death, that astonished even the Portugese in the 16th century. Kerala on Line
Return to the Main Page
